310 



DR MATTHEWS DUNCAN ON THE 



opposed, he found data which at first sight appear to support his doctrine " that 

 marriages are more prolific the longer they are deferred." Were this true 

 doctrine, it would certainly go far to overturn the Malthusian system, and Mr 

 Sadler might be justly proud of the demonstration. The facts which he adduces 

 may, without cavil, be allowed to be, as he says, indisputable. It is his illogical 

 use of the facts which has to be pointed out. Without pretending to enter on 

 the defence of Malthusian notions, we accept Mr Sadler's challenge " to evade 

 the demonstration," which the aforesaid facts afford. And it is of importance to 

 do so, because, down to the latest authors, Sadler's facts and supposed demonstra- 

 tions are generally quoted with unsuspicious approval.* 



The first data afforded by Sadler are derived from the records of Dr Gran- 

 ville's experience as physician to the Benevolent Lying-in-Institution and the 

 Westminster Dispensary, the calculations having been made by Mr Finlayson. 



TABLE XXI. — Or Women 20 Years Married and less than 25. 





No. of 

 Mothers. 



No. of 

 Children. 



Average to 



each Mother. 



432 



4,181 



9 678 



Mother's age- 



-30 to 34 years, . . 



1 



7 



7000 



j» 



35 to 39 „ 



134 



1,259 



9396 



>> 



40 to 44 „ 



259 



2,517 



9-718 



j> 



45 to 49 „ 



36 



379 



10528 



TABLE XXII. — Of Women 25 Years Married and less than 30. 





No. of 

 Mothers. 



No. of 

 Children. 



Average to 

 each Mother. 



29 



371 



12-793 



Mother's age — 40 to 44 years, . . 

 45 to 49 „ 



19 

 10 



235 

 136 



12-368 

 13600 



TABLE XXIII.— Of Women 30 Years Married. 





No. of 

 Mothers. 



No. of 

 Children. 



Average to 

 each Mother. 



1 



13 



13000 



Mother's age — 45 to 49 years, . 



1 



13 



13000 



See Boudin, Traite de Geographie et de Statistique Medicales, &c, tome ii. p. 59. 



