( VI ) 
STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH. 
1st Quarter. — 121,682 deaths were registered in the quarter, being 
4220 less than in the 1st quarter of 1858. The mortality was at 
the rate of rather more than 25 in 1000 (2-512 per cent.). The 
average mortality during the winter of the last ten years was 24-55 
per cent. The rate has slightly decreased in the town districts ; in 
the country districts it has increased from 2-218 to 2'354 per cent., 
or 1-36 in 1000. 
2iid Quarter. — The number of deaths registered in the three months 
ending June 30th was 105,778. The rate of mortality was 2-153 
per cent., or less by -061 than the average rate of the season. In 
the large towns the mortality was at the rate of 2-238 per cent., or 
less by -140 than the average. In the country districts and small 
tovms the mortality was lower (2-061 per cent.) than in the denser 
districts, but greater than the average of country districts, so that 
instead of improvement there is deterioration. The sanitary condi- 
tion of the country districts around the large towns now demands 
strict attention. The mortality of all England, if at the rate of the 
healthy districts, would be exactly 84,207, or 17 in 1000. The 
excess of 21,571 over this number are undoubtedly unnatural deaths, 
and may be ascribed to the unfavourable sanitary conditions in 
which a large portion of the population still lives. 
PRICE OF PROVISIONS. 
1st Quarter. — The price of wheat during the 13 weeks was 40s, 8d. 
a quarter; during the same period, 1857 and 1858, 56s. lOd. and 
46s. 6c?. : this shows a fall of 12 per cent, since March 1858. The 
price of potatoes also fell considerably, being 90s. a ton at the 
Waterside Market, South wark, against 110s. and 152s. 6d. in 1857 
and 1858. The mean prices per lb. of meat in the three winters 
1857-8-9, were : beef 5id, bid., bid. ; mutton 6id., G^d., 6ld. 
2)id Quarter. — The average price of wheat has risen from 40s. 8d. 
a quarter to 47s. 3c?., which is 7 per cent, above the price of the 
corresponding Spring quarter of the previous year. The price of 
beef by the carcase at Leadenhall and Newgate Markets has gone up 
to 6|<?. a pound, or 10 per cent, higher than in the second quarter of 
1858 ; mutton has risen to 6d. a pound, or 9 per cent, higher than 
in the same period of 1858. Potatoes have risen from 90s. to 97s. 6c?. 
a ton at the Waterside Market, Southwark ; they are 40 per cent, 
cheaper than in the same months of last year. 
