Mayo-Smith, in remarking on the influence of war on the
marriage-rate, says that in 1866 the Prussian rate fell from 18.2
to 15.6, while the Austrian rate fell from 15.5 to 13.0. In the
war of 1870-71 the Prussian rate fell from 17.9 in 1869 to 14.9
in 1870 and 15.9 in 1871; but in the two years after peace was
made it rose to 20.6 and 20.2, the highest rates ever recorded.
In France the rate fell from 16.5 to 12.1 and 14.4, and then rose
to 19.5 and 17.7, the highest rates ever recorded in France.
Influence of Rural and Urban Life.--Rural districts are always
very prolific, and when we hear the wails of writers on "Social
Economy," bemoaning the small birth-rates of their large cities,
we need have no fear for urban extinction, as emigration from the
country by many ambitious sons and daughters, to avail themselves
of the superior advantages that the city offers, will not only
keep up but to a certain point increase the population, until the
reaction of overcrowding, following the self-regulating law of
compensation, starts a return emigration.
The effect of climate and race on prolificity, though much spoken
of, is not so great a factor as supposed. The inhabitants of
Great Britain are surpassed by none in the point of prolificity;
yet their location is quite northern.
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