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The numerical preponderance of the female sex may he accounted
for by the concurrence of a variety of causes, including (1) the large
proportion of female domestic servants in the population; probably not
less than ten per cent.; (2) numerous girls' schools; (3) popularity of
the parish as a place of residence with unmarried ladies, widows, &c.,
and (4), the superior longevity of women.
The density of the population is about 70 persons per acre,
making no allowance for ground uncovered by buildings, the extent of
which I am not able to estimate with accuracy.* But independently
of open spaces like Holland Park and the cemeteries at Brompton
and Kensal Green, there is still a considerable amount of land available
for building purposes, especially at Notting Hill.

MARRIAGES.
The number of marriages celebrated in 1878 was 1.331, viz.—
By the Church 1,084
At Roman Catholic places of worship 76
An Nonconformist „ „ 64
At the Superintendent-Registrar's office 107
Total 1,331
The marriage rate (i.e., number of persons married to 1,000 population)
was 17.3. The marriage rate in England and Wales in 1877,
was 15.8, the lowest rate since, 1817, about the time of the Irish
famine. The gross number of marriages in Kensington increased
from 1,131 in 1871 (when the population was 121,500) to 1,417 in 1876,
(estimated population 148,000). The number fell in 1877 to 1,411,
and in 1878 to 1,331, though in the latter year the population had
increased to 153,600; striking evidence of the much complained-of
commercial depression.
BIRTHS AND BIRTH-RATE.
Four thousand six hundred and seven births were registered in 1878,
(males 2,320, and females 2,287): in the Town sub-district, 3,719, and
In the "Report of the Vestry" the recoverable is pat at 350 acres.