The number of twin births was sixty-eight, an increase of six over the number of the preceding year. In each of twelve instances only, were both parents native born; and in thirteen others, one parent was born here. In twenty-three instances (one third of the whole number), both parents were born in Ireland. Three of the births were of colored children; in one instance, two being males, and in the others, all were females. There were two cases of triplets; in each instance, both parents were native born.

It will be seen that there were four hundred and seventyseven still-births, two hundred and seventy-seven males, one nundred and ninety-one females, and nine, sex unknown, — five less than were recorded in 1868. The males exceed the females by eighty-six. In the preceding year, the excess of males was one hundred and four. In one hundred and eightythree instances, both parents were born in Ireland, and in fifty

two, one parent was of the same nativity. In one hundred and fifteen cases both parents were native born, and in twenty-nine one parent only was born here. In thirty-two instances both parents were born in Germany, and in sixty-six the parentage was unknown.

MARRIAGES.

The number of marriages was 3,378, an increase of two hundred and forty compared with the returns of the preceding year. The marriages were in the ratio of one to seventy-one of an estimated population of 240,000.

The number of marriages in each quarter is given below:

In the preceding year the percentage of marriages in the several quarters was: 1st quarter, 23.39; 2d, 24.63; 3d, 26.62; 4th, 29.35. It will be seen that there was a considerable decrease in the past year in the first quarter, and a gain in the second and third quarters.

The number and the percentage of the marriages solemnized in each month will be seen in the following table:

It will be seen that 22.32 per cent of the marriages occurred in the months of October and November.

IV. BIRTHPLACES OF THE PARTIES.

The number of native-born grooms was 1,626, making 48.13 per cent. of the whole number. In 1868 the percentage of the same class was 49.52. The American born brides number 1,692, over 50 per cent of all the brides, showing the same proportion exhibited in the preceding year.

The number of marriages in which both parties were native born was 1,331 only, or 39.40 per cent of the whole number.

The number of Irish-born grooms was 1,037,-30.70 per cent of all the grooms, and 59.15 per cent of those that were foreign born. The number of Irish grooms who married brides of the same nativity was eight hundred and thirty-six, 24.75 per

Totals

cent of all the grooms. These marriages make 47.68 per cent of the marriages in which one or both parties were foreign born.

The number of grooms that were born in Germany was one hundred and ninety-three (there were one hundred and sixtyfour in the preceding year), 5.71 per cent of all the grooms. The number of German-born grooms who married brides of the same nativity was one hundred and seven.

The number of grooms born in the British American Provinces, in England, and other foreign places, was in about the same proportion as in the preceding year.

The increase of marriages was greatest among those of Irish and German nativity. The whole number is of such a mixed character as to defy all classification.

40 to 50.

Under 21

67

21 to 25

1,060

25 to 30

2

1,190

30 to 40

9

768

40 to 50

42 105 44

209

50 to 60

25

185

The number of grooms under 21 years of age was 67, making nearly 2 per cent of the whole number. Of these, ten married brides under 18 years of age; nineteen married those between 20 and 25; one married a bride between 25 and 30; while thirteen others married brides between 30 and 40. There were seventy-one grooms between 25 and 30 who married brides between 30 and 40; two grooms of the same age united themselves to brides between 40 and 50; and still another became the husband of one who was between 50 and 60! There were nine grooms between 30 and 40 who married brides between 40 and 50.

There were five grooms between 50 and 60 who married brides between 20 and 25; eight others of the same age married those who were between 25 and 30; and thirty-three united themselves to brides between 30 and 40. There were three grooms between 60 and 70, whose brides were between 25 and 30; and four others whose wives had not reached their 40th year. Lastly, there were two grooms who had passed their 70th years, whose brides were between 40 and 50.

There were fifteen grooms over 60 years of age, and four over 70. There were four brides, whose ages were between 60 and 70.

Of the grooms 2,230 (over 60 per cent) married between the ages of 21 and 30. Of the brides, 2,330 (69 per cent) married between 20 and 30.

The number of instances in which both parties married were colored was thirty-eight, an increase of five over the number recorded in 1868. There were fifteen marriages of colored grooms with white brides, the same number that were reported in the preceding year.

In four hundred and fifty-three instances, the brides were older than their husbands.