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190
of population in the different parts of the Parish has
departed considerably from the above law. The
general birth-rate in London was 36.1 per 1,000, and
that within a small fraction is the birth-rate which has
generally prevailed in London for years past, and
indeed throughout the country. Now we see that in
Dulwich it was little more than one-third of this,
while in Peckham it amounted to 42.2 per 1,000.
There is no doubt that the higher classes are less
prolific than the poorer classes; and we should expect
on that very account that the birth-rate of Dulwich
would be less than that of Peckham or St. George's;
but there is no such reason for any difference between
the birth rates of Peckham and St. George's. And we
find indeed that in the year 1871, when the population
was accurately ascertained, that the birth-rate
of Dulwich was 22 per 1,000, while those of Peckham
and St. George's were 35 and 36 respectively. The
birth-rate of Camberwell sub-district was 33, and
that of the whole Parish 34.7. (c)—There are
discrepancies in the death-rates which throw a doubt
upon their trustworthiness. A mortality of only 6
per 1,000 represents a condition of things which the
inhabitants of Dr. Richardson's city of Hygeia might
envy ; and, associated with a birth-rate of about 14
per 1,000 implies a mean duration of life of over 100