that 64.16 per cent of the males married between 21 and 30 years of age. During the past year, 57 of the males married were minors, an increase of 18 over the number recorded in 1862. There were 525 married between 30 and 40, an increase of 41, and 163 between 40 and 50, an increase of 15. Only 244, or 10.50 per cent of the males were above 40 years of age when married.

The predilections of some of the grooms in regard to the ages of their brides, are not a little curious to those who believe that the ages of husband and wife should not be very wide apart. Accordingly it will be observed, that while 24 of the 57 grooms under 21 years married brides under 20 years, no less than 12 others married brides between 25 and 30 years; and still two others married brides who had passed some distance beyond their 30th year. Three adventurous young men who had not reached their 30th year, selected partners who had left their 40th year à considerable space behind them. On the other hand, four, who were between 40 and 50, manifested considerable fastidiousness by choosing brides who lacked some time before they would reach their 20th year. Two between 70 and 80, exhibited equal nicety by selecting partners between 30 and 40. One between 70 and 80 married a bride of corresponding age.

The period during which the largest number of females marry, is that between 20 and 25. During the past year, the number of females married between those ages was 967, or 41.64 per cent of the whole number; between 25 and 30, 595, or 25.62 per cent. No less than 363, or 15.63 per cent of the females, were mar

ried under 20 years of age, a large proportion of them being under 18 years.

It will also be observed, that while there were 81 grooms who had passed their 50th year, there were but 16 females of that age equally fortunate.

There were several instances where boys of 18 were united to brides of 16. Another youth of that age married a bride of the mature age of 29; while one of 20 became the happy partner of a female of 30. The youngest female married was 14 years old; her husband had reached the mature age of 38.

There were 50 colored grooms, 42 of whom were united to brides of the same color; while 8 preferred white companions. Two Indians married white females, and one white man married a mulatto woman.

IV. MARRIAGES. NUMBER OF TIMES MARRIED, AND RESIDENCES AT TIME OF MARRIAGE.

It will be seen, that of the males, 1,952, (or a little over 84 per cent) were first marriages, (an increase of

nearly one per cent over the preceding year, and 324, (or 13.95 per cent) were second marriages. The previous year, the second marriages of males amounted to 15.52 per cent. There were 44 instances where the grooms had been twice widowed.

Of the females, 2,043 (or 87.98 per cent) were first marriages, 324 second marriages, and 19 third marriages.

There were 4 inexperienced grooms who married brides that had been twice married, and 11 widowers who comforted themselves with companions who had been twice left comfortless.

The following table will show the occupations of 1,572 of the grooms, and the proportion which each class bears to the whole number:

The above fourteen classes comprise 67.61 per cent

of the whole number. Laborers, as usual are the largest class, and make 14.77 per cent of all. These, with mariners, clerks, traders, shoemakers, and carpenters, make 48.31 per cent of all the grooms.

DEATHS.

The number of deaths in Boston during the year 1863, was 4,699, an increase of 579 over the mortality of 1862. When it is remembered that there was a decrease in the number of the births, the increase of the mortality is a large one. Estimating the population the same as last year, 182,000, which is undoubtedly near the correct number, the deaths will appear as in the ratio of 1 in 38.73, a result that is very seldom seen in the mortality record of Boston. The ratio in 1862, was one in 44.17. Compared with New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Providence, (the only places concerning which the materials are at hand to institute a comparison,) Boston the past year stands in an unfavorable light. The following table will show the ratio of deaths to the estimated population of each of the cities named:-

The deaths in New York are reported at 25,196. This number includes the still-births which are, not embraced in the reports of the other cities. As the num

ber of these cases in New York are not known at the present time, they have been estimated at 1,000, (probably not far from the actual number,) and deducted accordingly. In estimating the sanitary condition of New York by its mortality record, it should not be forgotten that that city is the great entrepot for emigrants from all parts of the world, large numbers of whom arrive there in every conceivable condition of physical degeneracy. Besides this a large number of sick and disabled soldiers contribute largely to swell the bill of mortality. When all these facts are tak en into the account New York compares favorably with Boston, and shows a better record than is often made of that city. Philadelphia also compares favorably with Boston. That city has a considerable number of hospitals for soldiers within its limits, which fact should be taken into the accounts in examining its mortuary record. In that light its ratio of deaths (1 in 40.43) is not excessive. Baltimore and Providence present nearly an identical record, which shows them to be far in advance of their three sister cities.