( VI ) 
STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH. 
1st Quarter. — 121,713 deaths were registered in the quarter; 
this number was rather lower than the number of deaths in the 
winter quarter of tho preceding year. The death-rate was 2-449 ; 
the average rate of the season being 2'480. The increase of the 
population in particular parts of the country is uncertain; but, 
assuming that the estimated rates of increase are tolerably correct, 
the mortality (2-671) in the town districts was (-017) above the 
average, whereas the mortality (2-235) in the country districts was 
(-018) below the average. As at the rate prevailing in the least 
unhealthy districts the deaths would have amounted to 88,864, the 
unnatural deaths may be set down as about 32,849, referable 
directly to the circumstances unfavourable to life in which the 
population is living. 
2nd Quarter. — The number of deaths in this quarter was 107,721 ; 
in the same period of last year it was 110,878. The annual death- 
rate for the quarter was 215 to ten thousand persons living, whilst 
the average is 221. Both town and country populations have 
enjoyed a slightly improved degree of health : the rate of mortality 
in town being 228 per 10,000, against an average of 237 ; and that 
in the country 203 against 205. If the rate of mortality of the least 
unhealthy districts had prevailed throughout England, the total 
deaths would have been 85,823. Consequently 21,898 deaths may 
be deemed uimatural. 
PEICE OF PEOVISIONS. 
1st Quarter.- — The price of wheat was 55s. Id. a quarter ; and it 
exceeded by 10s. 8d., or 24 per cent., the price in the previous 
winter quarter. The mean price of beef at the metropolitan markets 
was ; the inferior beef making •id., and the superior making 6id. 
a 230und. The price of mutton was 6^d., and ranged in the same way 
from b^d. to 7^d. a pound. The best potatoes were 147s. (id. a ton. 
2nd Quarter. — The price of wheat was 54s. 9c?. a quarter, and was 
higher by 2s. Id. than in the previous June quarter, and by 7s. 6d. 
than in that of 1859. The mean price of beef in Leadenhall and 
Newgate markets was 5f r/. ; both highest and lowest prices were 
less than in the same quarter of 1860, which also held in respect of 
mutton, the mean price of which was 6id. Best potatoes averaged 
130s.- per ton; they were dearer than in the same quarter of 1859, 
cheaper than in that of 1860. 
