( VI ) 
STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH. 
1st Quarter. — The total number of deaths in the qnarter was 
92,225. In the same quarter of 1860 it did not much exceed 
86,000 ; in that of 1861 it was about 101,000. The cold summer 
of this year was less healthy than the still colder summer of 1860 ; 
bat it was healthier than the warmer summer of last jear. The 
annual rate of mortality in the quarter was 1-797 per cent, of the 
population, against an average of 2*020 per cent. In the country 
districts the mortality was 1-586 (the average being 1-747); whilst 
in urban populations it was 2*011 (the average being 2-328). 
2n<f Quarter. — The number of deaths in the three months ending 
31st December was 114,542. In the corresponding season of 1860 
it was nearly 103,000; in that of 1861 nearly 105,000. Though 
the autumn of 1862 was not as a whole colder than those which 
preceded it, the sudden invasion of cold in Xovember and the 
abrupt succession of heat account for its having been the most 
fataL The death-rate was 2*226 per cent, (against an average of 
2-171). In the principal towns the rate of mortality was 2-53 per 
cent, (against an average of 2-47) ; and in the small towns and 
country parishes 1-92 per cent, (against an average of 1*90). 
PEICE OF PEOTISIOXS. 
Ist Quarter. — The average price of wheat was 565. lOd. per quarter ; 
in the same period of last year the price was 52s. Id. The average 
of the highest and lowest prices of beef at Leadenhall and Xewgate 
Markets was o^J. per lb., and of mutton (>^J. Best potatoes were 
1155. per ton at the Waterside Market, South wark; they were 
dearer than they had been at the same time last year. ^ 
2nd Quarter. — The average price of wheat in the three months 
was 485. 2d. per quarter, which is less by 8s. Id. than in the corre- 
sponding period of 1860, and less by lis. \d. than in that of 1861. 
The price of beef at Leadenhall and Xewgate Markets was 5^. 
per lb. ; the same as in the corresponding quarter of 1861 ; of 
mutton 6<f., or one farthing per lb. cheaper than in the same quarter 
of the previous years. The average price of the best potatoes was 
lOOs. per ton, which is less by 20s. than it was in the last quarter 
of the two previous years. 
