The Washington union., 1857-05-20

in the original:
Departments ------------------------- Sc
Advertisements -------------------- 1868
Cantons- -------------------- 2, $50
Population in 1851 IS 1888 ITO
Population in 1856 -36, ,O39, S64
Increase in five years ars-----.------- 256, 1874
Quite an interesting debate sprung up at the meet
ing Of the Soeiftf dEconomie Poltigue of the 9TH
january, 1857, in reference to the exhibits of the
census of 1856. M. Leonce De Lavergne, member
of the Institute, stated in substance, that the total
results proved that there sensible increase in
the number of inhabitants since 1851. A similar re-
sut was shown by the census taken at the last
epoch. So that during ten years the population of
France may be said to be stationary.
Without doubt, said NJ. de Lavergne, emigration
to countries out of Europe-to Africa and America
entered into the causes of the decrease but Paris has
increased by some 900 inhabitants, which, of
course must be lost to other portions of France
Lyons has added $4,000 to its population, and it is
the same in respect to the large cities generally
This movement the speaker deemed of grave mo-
ment to the agricultural interests. The complaint
was general respecting the want Of necessary labor
localities, during the past year and men, and
children, forced to assist in cultiyating
the indispensable articles Of subsistence
Mr. Walowsli, also a member believed that the
decrease in the population was, in a great measure
the effect of preventive causes, because the number
of births had diminished and NJ Passy was of opin-
ion that various combined to produce the re-
suit The scarcity Of provisions which continued
during three years produced its ordinary effect-a
dimnution in the number of births as also an in
crease in the number of Deaths to which are to be
added the deaths in the Crimea, deaths from cholera
and other epidemics. 1t was also suggested as
principal cause of rural migration to the large cities
that the very limited parcels of land subdivided
among the farmers were unfavorabe to the creation
of capital in the country--the small farmers con
Stunning all they could produce. The meeting, how
ever, arrived at definite conclusion in regard to
the grave question under discussion.
In connexion with the subject, it appears from
French official publications that the total population
of France was
In lS46- So 400, ,4s6
In 30 1888, ITO
Showing an increase over 1916 of-------- 3s2, ,6s4
In 1867 -------------------36 sc, ,039, 1854
Showing an increase over 1851 of--------- 256, 1874
From these figures, it appears that an empire con-
tanning population Of 36 has increased during
five years-from 1916 to 1s51-only 382 900, and
during second period--from 1851 to 1856 but
256,l94 "These two results as stated by NJ de
Lavergne, "lead to suspect the existence Of some
fundamental evil which obstructs the progress of
France" Former exhibit different results.
From 1886 to l84l the population of France in
creased 653 965 From 1841 to 1916 the increase was
llTO,30s. 1t follows that during the decennia PEE
riod from 1886 to 1916 the increase was nearly three
times greater than during the succeeding decade !;
and in the quinquennial period-from lS4l to 1S46-
nearly five times than during the five years just
closed. These two latter periods mark the two ex-
treme points, The increase in population was at no
period so rapid in the frst-from 1841 to 1876
when it exceeded l,lT0000 souls and it never fell
low as in the second from 1851 to 1856-when the
increase was only 256,000. We do not go further
back than 1920 when regular census was first
taken.
These facts have furnished to several of the lead
ing journals Of Europe the occasion for much lima
tuieu cohment anu ienguly eultOrlal dIatrlbes on
French decadence and the present rulers of France
The London Times is especially uncourtly and sin
gularly ungracious in its deductions and nuendoes-
the more its lengthy and elaborate article on
"The Decline of France" has been seized upon by
the enemies of Napoleon throughout Europe and
even in France, with mercess avidity and hashed
up into pets dishes to suit the palates Of every hos
tile clique. The most remarkable sentence in this
extraordinary article is one from which the French
Emperor may draw grains Of consolation, even
in contemplating" with "the New Zeaander'' the
ruins Of his metropolis II is as follows "Why, in
deed, should not the great nations of the present
time yield the supremacy to younger rivals p II
the Times editor had the age of Charlemagne in his
mind when he penned the above Napoleon, after it's
perusal, may very naturally have paused to inquire
how many centuries back would lead him to the
primitive days Of the Septarchy or the memorable
reign of Alfred the Great
But we only purpose to present to our readers
such facts as have been able to gather from re-
cent French publications. They speak for them
selves, and therefore need no comment.