( II ) 
a marked decrease in some counties of England, yet, in others, tliere 
was a notable increase. The births, after allowing for increase of 
population, were slightly above the average. The death-rate was a 
little in excess of the average of the season. Scarlet-fever was 
widely diffused over the country, and was the chief cause from 
which the increase of mortality sprang ; the still and energy of the 
Medical Profession, and more particularly of the Officers of Health, 
were taxed to the utmost in endeavouring to arrest the ravages of 
this epidemic. 
Potatoes were lower in price than in the summer of 1868 ; but 
both beef and mutton were about a halfpenny per lb. dearer than in 
the summer quarter of 1868. 
In the quarter under review emigration proceeded with increased 
activity. The greatest proportional increase, as regards nationality, 
was among the English and Scotch emigrating to the United States 
and to British North America. The number of emigrants who left 
ports of the United Kingdom for foreign and colonial settlements 
was 70,734, of whom 30,114 were English, 7873 of Scotch, and 
18,855 of Irish origin, while 13,892 were foreigners. In the total 
number there was an increase, over the summer quarter of 1868, of 
18,109. 
Autumn Quarter (^October, November, December^ — Births registered 
were 190,231. The annual birth-rate of the season per 1000 of 
population was 34-38 ; the average of ten autumns (1859-68) was 
33-79. 
Deaths registered were 128,146. The annual death-rate of the 
season per 1000 of population was 23*16 ; the average of ten autumns 
(1859-68) was 21-90. 
The birth-rate was slightly above the average. The high birth- 
rate maintained in England is partly attributable to the rapid rate 
of increase among married women at ages above 15 and under 55, 
viz., 1-6 per cent, per annum, whild the female population at all 
ages increases at the rate of 1 -3 per cent, per annum. The death- 
rate was considerably in excess of the average. 
Potatoes were cheaper than they were in the autumn of 1868 ; 
but both beef and mutton were dearer. 
The number of emigrants who left ports of the United Kingdom 
in the last quarter of the year was 38,481, of whom 16,762 were of 
English, 4123 of Scotch, and 10,305 of Irish origin ; while 7291 were 
foreigners. 31,695 were bound for the United States ; 1989 for the 
North American Colonies ; 3826 for the Australian Colonies ; and 
971 for other places. The emigration was greater than it had been 
in any autumn quarter since 1865. 
