is observable in nearly the whole of the country; the
only counties which exhibit an increase in the number
of births being the metropolitan and extra-metropolitan
parts of Surrey, Huntingdon, Staffordshire, and South
Wales.

The Deaths in the last quarter of 1853 were 103,341.
The period was unhealthy, and a greater number of
lives was lost to the population than in any other
autumnal quarter of the last 13 years, with only two
exceptions—the fourth quarter of 1846, when the deaths
rose to 108,937, and that of 1847, when they were
103,479. The annual mortality has been at the rate of
2.252 per cent, in the 10 years 1843-52; it was 2.186 in
the last quarters of those years, and last quarter it was
2.272. Cold weather towards the close of the year
thinned the ranks both of old and young, and the latter
class have also suffered much from fever, especially
scarlatina, in many parts of the country.

In regard to the Increase of Population, it is stated
that, the number of births registered during the last
quarter being 144,444, and the number of deaths
103,341, there remains a balance of 41,103 as the
natural increase of the population during that period.
Large numbers of persons are still attracted to the
Australian colonies as well as to America and other
places, although a small decrease in the emigration is
perceptible on the numbers of the corresponding quarter
of 1852. From the four English ports which make
returns 50,457 persons emigrated during the last three
months—namely, from London, 6810; Plymouth, 2851;
Liverpool, 37,732; and Southampton, 3064. In
addition, 1795 persons sailed from the ports of Glasgow
and Greenock, and 2431 from Irish ports, giving a total
of 54,683 for the United Kingdom, against 55,315
during the last quarter of 1852. It must be borne in
mind, in any estimate of the increase of population,
that the births and deaths refer only to England and
Wales, and that of the emigrants leaving English ports a
large though an unascertained number are of Irish birth.

As to the Prices of Provisions, it is stated, that the
chief articles of food have greatly risen in price since the
three months ending December, 1852; wheat, which
was then 40s. 5d. per quarter, has risen to 69s. 10d.,
being an increase of 73 per cent.; and at this higher
price an average weekly sale of 79,002 quarters took
place in the towns of England and Wales which make
returns, against 111,224 quarters weekly when the
price was 40s. 5d. Beef and mutton rose in price;
and potatoes, which were 105s, per ton at the waterside
market, Southwark, in December, 1852, rose to 150s,
in the December quarter, 1853, being an augmentation
in price equivalent to 43 per cent. The continued
activity of trade and the increased rate of wages have
enabled the labouring classes for the most part to cope
with the dearness of provisions; but, in conjunction
with the severity of the weather and the exorbitant price
of fuel, it has been a season of trial, which has,
however, been borne with exemplary patience and
fortitude by those who were most exposed to its rigours.

At a Court of Common Council on the 9th, Mr.
Layard was presented with the Freedom of the City of
London; an honour conferred on him for his labours
in the East. Sir John Key, the City Chamberlain,
performed the part of spokesman, Mr. Layard was
received with "vehement applause;" and in returning
thanks he praised the City for extending the hand of
encouragement to men distinguished alike in peace
and war. "With regard to myself," said Mr. Layard,
"it is highly probable that I shall never again see
those spots which are naturally so dear to me, as being
connected with the labours which have earned for me
the distinction which I have received from you. I
may even be compelled to abandon those studies and
researches which have been so kindly alluded to by
your Chamberlain. I have embarked in public life;
and only one endeavour and one hope must remain to
to me—that as a public man I may be of some use to
my country."

At a meeting of the City Court of Sewers, on the 15th.
the Supply and Purification of Gas came under consideration.
Dr. Letheby recently reported that he had found
twenty-one grains of oil of vitriol in one hundred cubic
feet of gas. Dr. Letheby has also reported that the
power of the gas of the Great Central Company had,
during the last three months, been nearly 22 per cent,
greater than the act of parliament requires. Of the
4,000,000,000 cubic feet of gas annually consumed, the
City of London takes 500,000,000. The report earnestly
recommended that steps might be taken to render the
gas pure.

The friends of the London Training Institution for
the Reformation of Adult Male Criminals, held a meeting
on the 15th, to bid farewell to twenty-six inmates,
who have served the required twelvemonth, and have
attained a knowledge of some industrial pursuit, and are
now sent out to the colonies by the society. Lord Shaftesbury,
the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, many ladies,
and several members of parliament, assisted at the leave-
taking. In a brief speech, the Duke of Argyll expressed
a hope that government would found institutions for the
reformation of criminals. One of the departing inmates,
in the name of the rest, thanked the committee for what
they had done.

The Council of the Society of Arts have determined
to hold an Educational Exhibition in next June, when
the conference of the representatives of its various
affiliated institutions, now amounting to 335 in
number, will take place. The council have already taken
measures to obtain models of the schools of primary
instruction approved by the Departments of Public
Instruction in France, Prussia, Holland, Switzerland,
Denmark, Sweden, Canada, and at Washington, New
York, or Massachusetts; and specimens of every article
authorised to be used in the different classes of schools
recognised by each State. The council have also asked
to be furnished with copies of the codes of public
instruction in force in each country, and they promise to
publish at the time of the Exhibition an English
synopsis of the whole. Letters have been addressed to
the large educational bodies and Government departments
dealing with this subject in this country, claiming
their co-operation in the undertaking.

Hopes are now entertained that the Strike of the
Preston Operatives will be brought to a close. One of
the principal mills, that of Mr. Hollins, recommenced
working, after an interview between that gentleman and
the operatives which resulted in mutual concessions,
and an arrangement as to prices satisfactory to both
employer and employed. On the 17th the hands
entered the mill amid the hearty acclamations of a vast
crowd, numbering several thousands, assembled to
witness the gratifying scene. Messrs. Gratrix, brothers,
have also made an arrangement with their operatives,
who have resumed work. A notice has been placarded
by the committee of the Master's Association, to the
following effect;—"All persons desirous of obtaining
employment may rely upon the assurance already given
by the Associated Masters, that the mills will be kept at
work, and that those engaged at the several mills may
depend upon a continuance of work." The committee
entrusted with the management of the defence fund
intimate that the masters will continue to keep open
their mills "at whatever sacrifice," adding, "The most
vigorous measures are being adopted by the committee
to contribute to an early termination of the dispute."

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

M. LEVERRIER, the celebrated astronomer, has been
appointed Director of the Imperial Observatory of Paris.

Mr. Philip Edmund Wodehouse, formerly superintendent
at Honduras, has been appointed governor of
British Guiana.

Dr. Bowring, governor of Hong Kong, and her
Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of
British trade in China, has received from her Majesty the
honour of knighthood.

Obituary of Notable Persons

SILVIO PELLICO, the celebrated author of "Le mie Prigioni,"
has died at Turin of consumption, at the age of sixty-one.

VICE-ADMIRAL THE HON. G POULETT died suddenly on the
10th inst., while on a visit to Colonel Wyndham. at his hunting
lodge, Drove House, near Singleton, Sussex. He was in his
68th year.