GUPPY — SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IN TRINIDAD. 
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666. Since tlien there has been a gradual decline. In 
1864 the number of marriages was so small that the births 
were 110 to 10 marriages. In 1863 the proportion was 67 
to 10, and in 1858 the number of marriages was so propor- 
tionately large that the births stood in the relation of 48 to 
10, a much lower rate than usual here. These two latter 
years (1863 and 1858) were exceptional as to the high mar- 
riage rate, and in 1858 the number of births was, in addi- 
tion, below the average. In Great Britain the proportion 
for 1865 was 4 births to 1 marriage. The birth-rate of both 
countries being nearly the same, it would appear that the 
illegitimate births here are in the proportion of 3 to 4 legi- 
timate births. And I have confirmation of this from good 
authority ; for it has been estimated that the proportion of 
illegitimate births here is about one-half. This is perhaps 
a little better state of affairs in one respect than holds in 
the neighboring French colonies, where from statistics pre- 
pared by the French government, I find that the propor- 
tion of legitimate births in Martinique is scarcely more than 
one-third of the whole. But there can be no question that 
our own condition is one that may well give us ground for 
concern when it appears that it is becoming rather worse than 
better. The decline in the marriage-rate is no doubt partly 
due to the cessation of the great exertions made for some 
years after emancipation for the encouragement of marri- 
age. In the earlier years of freedom very many persons 
were married upon Licenses granted without payment— 
and their numbers have gone to swell the returns. Exer- 
tions of the kind alluded to have become slack. A grave 
responsibility is thrown upon the instructors of the people 
in respect of all these matters, which can hardly be evaded 
by the plea that the social problems presented to us here 
