My dear Sir

We sent you a few days ago the Registrar General’s Report in which you will find a table showing the proportion of male & Female Births—in each county of England (p XII). This Table was inserted in consequence of your note.¹

I have been reading your great work with much interest—& was struck particularly with the parts to which you refer.²

You will like to know that at our last statistical congress in Florence (1867)—in the 1^st. section—on the census—this proposition—which I had the pleasure of supporting—was carried.³

5. “Il est recommandé d’introduire une colome (compte.-redu. du congrés interna. 1868. p 470) pour indiquer le degré de consanguinité entre le père et la mère d’une famille quelconque”.⁴ (in the Census Schedule)

In Florence they have begun to act on the proposition; & I observe that in their first monthly return of marriages—none are recorded as having taken place between cousins. I will send you any information I get.

I have always attached great importance to the question; and I need not say that your recommendation will give it importance in the eyes of other people who have been hithertoo indifferent.

I read the passage from your note—to a man connected with the flourishing obstetric Society & suggested it as a subject well worthy of research by that Society.⁵

The Royal Society⁶ might well devote a portion of its funds to inquiries of this kind: we want for instance a series of observations on the weight, height, strength of males & females at different ages—& in different parts of the Kingdom &c &c.

I am my dear Sir | yours very faithfully | W. Farr