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The annual rate of mortality in each one of the
five groups of districts into which London is divided
is shown as under :—
West Districts 19.5 per 1,000
South 20.4 „
North „ 20.6 „
Central „ 23.0 „
East „ 24.2 „
Paddington 15.7 „
These figures of the Registrar-General, as might
be expected, show that the death-rate, as is almost
invariably the case, is considerably lower in the
Western than in the Eastern Districts of the Metropolis.
The same is true of other communities in
which the term west-end has its conventional
meaning. Eastward the density of population is
usually greater, and the social position of the
inhabitants is usually lower; the Northern and
Southern Districts in the matter of the death-rate
holding an intermediate position. Eastward, accordingly,
the mysteries of life, with its oft-times
sad accompaniments and mournful accessories, give
place more speedily, and, let us hope, with kaleidoscopic
change to the mysteries of death. In London
this difference in the local death-rates has long been
recognised, and is apparently increasing.
The rate of mortality per 1,000 in the Eastern
3