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5
births.
Owing to the varying proportions of females of child-hearing ages (15-45 years) in the
different populations, the rates per 1,000 persons of all ages convey but an imperfect idea
of the fruitfulness of marriage. In Tables 3 and 4 the rates per 1,000 females, aged
15-45 years, are given. These rates are generally accepted as a satisfactorv indication of
re-productivity, but even they give only an imperfect idea of the true state of affairs. The
widely varying proportions of single, married, and widowed women and of females engaged
in earning their livelihood in the different localities materially affect rates of reproduction
based on the total numbers of women—whether of all ages or of the child-bearing
ages. The figures relating to these points have been taken out from the last Census' Report,
and the proportions calculated therefrom will be found in Table 5. It appears that in
Hampstead 708 out of every 1,000 females, aged from 15-45 years, were enumerated as
unmarried, while in Willesden the ratio was as low as 465, Of females of child-bearing ages
the highest proportion returned as occupied was that of Westminster (629), and the lowest
that of Willesden (377), while of married and widowed women at those ages the proportions
were 267 in Westminster (the highest), and 115 in Willesden (the lowest).

Note.—The Condensed Tables of Occupations do not distinguish the ages of "married and widowed"
engaged in occupations.
No female under 15 years of age was returned as married at the last Census.
The birth-rate ought to be calculated on the married women of child-bearing ages, due
correction being made for the births of illegitimate children. Unfortunatelv the whole of
the data necessary for such correction are not available. In Table 6 rates are given
based on all births, and also on legitimate and illegitimate, as far as can be done. The
table at present gives but little information ; but continued for a series of years, will afford a
clear indication of the changes in the fruitfulness of marriage and the improvement (or
deterioration) in the morality of the various districts. The only point to which attention
need be called is the fact that the "married women" rate in Hampstead is higher than that
of Westminster, whereas the birth-rate as usually given is lower. (See Table 4).