19 
of Edi7ibu7''gli, Session 1882-83. 
General it appears that, during the thirty -four years ending 1 87 9, 
the proportion of illegitimate children to every 100 births gradually 
fell from 6 '7 to 4*7 per cent., or exactly 2 per cent., as shown in 
the* following table : — 
ENGLAND. 
Children Born, ori’ of Wedrock to 100 Births. 
1846-50, . ., , . . . . . 6-7 
1851-55, . . 6-6 
1856-60, 6*5 
1861-65, ..... , . . 6-4 
1866-70, > 5-8 
1871-75, ........ 5-2 
1876-^79, ........ 4-7 
As in Scotland, the rates have always greatly varied in different 
counties. While the average for the whole of England during the ten 
years ending 1879 was 5*1 per cent., that for Cumberland was as 
high as 8*9 — little more, however, than half the percentage for Banff- 
shire, and only a fraction above the average for Scotland, In the 
extra-metropolitan portion of Middlesex the percentage was as low 
as 3 ’6. With regard to illegitimacy, England may be roughly 
divided into three zones. : — (1) a southern zone witli the rate below 
the average;, (2) a midland zone with the rate somewhat above 
the average ; and (3) a northern zone with an excessively high rate. 
Perhaps, therefore, our English neighbours will feel disposed to 
suggest that the proximity of the northern counties to Scotland may 
have something to do with their high rate of illegitimacy.* Both 
the English and Scottish returns show that in the great centres of 
population the percentage of illegitimacy is much smaller than in 
the rural districts. It must, however, be constantly borne in mind 
that a comparison of the numbers of illegitimate births in town and 
* It has been frequently alleged that under thq Scottish system of registra- 
tion the illegitimate births are more accurately recorded than in England ; 
and that if the respective returns were equally trustworthy, the difference in 
the ratio of illegitimacy on the two sides of the Tweed would not be so great 
as it has hitherto appeared. I am disposed to think that there is some truth 
in the. assertion. Roughly speaking, the percentage of illegitimacy in England 
and Scotland, as indicated by the returns, is at present about 5 and 9 respec- 
tively. Probably 7 and 9 per cent, is nearer the actual fact. The object of 
this paper, however, is not to compare the two countries, but to show the vast 
differences in the percentage of illegitimacy which present themselves in the 
various counties of Scotland. 
