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females into the parish, while on the other hand, it is probable
that more boys than girls leave the parish on going to school, and
so are absent at the date of the Census. The superior longevity
of women is a factor of some importance in regulating the relative
number of the sexes, whilst the influence of fashion and popularity,
and the reputation for healthfulness the parish enjoys, must not be
left out of consideration, as they are conditions which weigh with
many persons, and doubtless tend to make Kensington a favourite
place of residence with unmarried and widow ladies.
It may not be out of place here to mention that the population
of the Metropolis, as estimated to the middle of 1881) was
3,831,719—males, 1,798,147, and females, 2,033,572; excess of
females, 235,425. The natural increase of population during the
year was 51,603, and the estimated total increase, 61,067, the
difference, 10,004, representing the excess of immigration over
emigration. The growth of population between 1871 and 1881
had been so far under-estimated, that the actual population was
found to be 124,589 in excess of the previous estimate. The
annual rate of increase during the decennium was 1.61 per cent.:
in the decennium 1861-71 it was 1.50 per cent. In the RegistrarGeneral's
Annual Summary for 1881, "the population in each
year between 1871 and 1881 has been recalculated, and the rates
in all cases adjusted to the new figures."
MARRIAGES AND MARRIAGE RATE.
The number of marriages in 1881 was 1,761. Of these there
were celebrated—
By the Church (84 per cent. of total marriages) 1,487
At Roman Catholic places of worship 93
At other Nonconformist places of worship 51
At the Superintendent Registrar's Office 130
Total 1,761
This total represents an increase of 278 marriages as compared
with 1880, the increase being, by the Church, 288; and at Roman
Catholic and other Nonconformist places of worship, 3; while at
the Superintendent Registrar's Office there was a decrease of 13.