470 
with thofe of the laft fifteen years, which 
the annexed table obvioufly exhibits. 
I have been induced to take the average 
of fifteen years, as the improvements in 
hofpitals, as well as thofe of the city, and 
the eftablifhment of difpenfaries, may be 
included in this laft period. 
Years. Chrifiened. 
Buried. 
1772 17,916 26,053 
1773 16,805 21,656 
1774 16,998 20,884 
1775 17,629 20,514. 
1776 17,280 19,048 
: 1777 18,300 235334 
; 3778 175300 205399 
1779 16,769 20,420 
| 1780 16,634. 20,517 
| 378% 17,026 203709 
1782 I7,10Y 17,918 
i 3783 17,091 19,02 
1784 173179 17,328 
| 1785 173919 18,919 
~| 3786 18,119 203454 
Total, 260,066 307,682 
1787 37,508 193349 
3788 195559 19,697 
1789 18,763 20,749 
1790 18,980 18,038 
1791 18,496 18,760 
1792 59,348 20,215 
1793 ¥9,108 215749 
1794 18,689 19,24! 
1795 18,351 21,179 
1796 18,826 19,288 
1797 18,645 17,014 
1798 173927 18,155 
1799 18,970 18,134 
5800 19,176 23,068 
1801 7,814 19,374 
Total, | 279,570 294,008 
Te 
By this table it appears, that during the 
laf fifteen years there has been a-majority 
of 19,504 births compared to the fifteen 
preceding years, and a diminution: of 
13,574 deaths during the fame period, 
which amount together to an increafe of 
population, in the laft fifteen years, tono 
Jefs than 33,078, which is upwards of 
two thoufand lives annually. 
Dr. Letijom on Charitable Inftitutions, 
[Jan I 
That an intreafe of inhabitants in the 
metropolis fhould produce an increafe in 
the births, was to be expe&ted ; but that 
an increale of population fhould be attend- 
ed with a decreafe of deaths, afforded nte 
equal gratification and furprize ; and this 
gratification was augmented in reflecting 
upon the important effects of Englifh be - 
neficence—effets that are not only imme- 
diately hgnourable to the nation and ind#- 
viduals, but give encouragement to the 
future exertions of philanthropifts, which 
the prefent fituation of the times tenderly 
folicit. 
I have repeatedly heard cenfure againft 
the exercife of public charity, and public 
fub{fcriptions for charitable inftitutions ; 
that it flatters vanity, and promotes often- 
tation: but thefe advocates for affumed . 
humility are moft generally actuated by 2 
fordid difpofition, and feek pretexts for” 
avarice rather than for inftances of private 
beneficence. We kvow that an oftenta- 
tious difplay of giving alms is difcouraged 
by high authority: but public good may 
be exercifed from the motive of encourag- 
ing others to come forward in the hl 
of a good caufe; for the bright candle of be- 
nevolence is recommended to be placed on a 
confpicuous candleftick, and not under a 
bed or a bufhel, for realons very clearly ex- 
plained in the facred volume. A moralift 
truly obferves, that, if public worfhip were 
not preferved, private devotion would foon 
be negle&ted ; although inthe fame volume 
private devotion is particularly inculcated : 
and were public charity difcountenanced, 
the hand of private charity would foon be- 
come paralyzed'and cold. It is my with, 
therefore, to hold forth every laudable in- 
ducement in favour of public as well as of 
private charity ; and the fuccefs which 
mutt attend the exercife of thefe virtuous 
acts, conftitutes a powerful motive for 
doubling our diligence, ia arrefting the 
difeafes and miferies of the poor, and in 
promoting and extending their comforts. 
In congratulating the friends of philan- 
thropy on the increafed population of the 
“metropolis, in confequence of the chari- 
table inftitutions they have planned and 
fupported, let me call attention to two 
najcent charities, which feem happily cal- 
culated to diminifi the number of deaths : 
thefe are inftitutions for promoting vac- 
‘cine-inoculation, and houfes for the re+ 
ception of contagious fevers. The fmall- 
pox deftroys avout 2500 perfons annually 
in London, and about the fame number 
perifh by fevers: the fatality by the 
{mall-pox may now be totally prevented, 
and that by fevers may be greatly dimi- 
nithed. 
