( VI ) 
STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH. 
1st Quarter. — The total number of deaths registered in the quarter 
was 122,192 ; it was not so great as in the same quarter of 1860, 
when the number was 122,617. The rate of mortality in England 
and Wales in the quarter was 2-447 per cent. ; the average being 
2-489. It ranged in the March quarter of the previous ten years 
from 2-2 to 2-9. In the town districts the mortality was 2*691 per 
cent, against an average of 2-709. In the country districts the rate 
was 2-209, against an average of 2-297. The country was not only 
favourably distinguished from town by having a lower rate of 
mortality, but appears to have attained a higher degree of salubrity 
as compared with the winters of former years. 
2nd Quarter. — The total number of deaths registered in the three 
months was 107,555. In the same period of 1860 and 1861 the 
numbers were respectively 110,869 and 107,721 ; whence it appears 
that in an increasing population the deaths decreased in the last 
two spring quarters. The annual rates of mortality in these three 
seasons were 2-237 per cent. ; 2-150 ; 2-124. The average obtained 
from returns in ten years is 2-201 per cent. The mortality in the 
town districts was 2-282; in the country districts 1-968. Their 
respective averages were 2-366 and 2-056, so that the benefit was 
equally shared between town and coimtry. 
PEICE OF PEOVISIONS. 
1st Quarter. — The average price of wheat per quarter was 60s. ; it 
was higher than it had been in any quarter since 1856. In the 
March quarter of 1860 and 1861 the price was 44s. 5d. and 55s. Id. 
Potatoes were not cheap; they were on an average 142s. 6d. per 
ton. Beef was at the same price as in the same period of last year ; 
mutton was a penny per lb. cheaper. 
2nd Quarter. — The average price of wheat per quarter was 56s. 8d. 
It was higher than that of the same period in either of the two 
previous years. The mean price of beef sold by the carcase at 
Leadenhall and Newgate markets was 5c?. per lb. ; the best quality 
was Gd., and cheaper than it had been, taking the average quarterly 
prices, for a considerable time. The highest and lowest prices of 
mutton, if the means are taken, were 5^. and 7c?., and were lower 
than the prices of the June quarter in the last two years. Potatoes 
were very dear, the average price of the best at the Waterside 
Market, Southwark, being 190s. per ton. 
