| The country increases annually by procreation | 20,000 souls. |
| The cities and towns, exclusive of London, by procreation | 2,000 souls. |
| But London and the bills of mortality decrease annually | 2,000 souls. |
So that London requires a supply of 2,000 souls per annum to keep it from decreasing, besides a further supply of about 3,000 per annum for its increase at this time. In all 5,000, or above a half of the kingdom’s net increase.
Mr. King further observes that by the assessments on marriages, births, and burials, and the collectors’ returns thereupon, and by the parish registers, it appears that the proportions of marriages, births, and burials are according to the following scheme
Vide Scheme A.
Whence it may be observed that in 10,000 coexisting persons there are 71 or 72 marriages in the country, producing 343 children; 78 marriages in towns producing 351 children; 94 marriages in London, producing 376 children.
Whereby it follows—
1. That though each marriage in London produces fewer people than in the country, yet London in general having a greater proportion of breeders, is more prolific than the other great towns, and the great towns are more prolific than the country.
2. That if the people of London of all ages were as long-lived as those in the country, London would increase in people much faster pro rata than the country.
3. That the reasons why each marriage in London produces fewer children than the country marriages seem to be—
(1) From the more frequent fornications and adulteries.