re, the average rate
being 262, the death-rate rises to 482, principally in the military
hospitals. ("Statistique de la Vienne," by Cochon, prefet, year
IX.)--At Niort, population 11,000, the annual mortality of the ten years
preceding 1793 averaged 423, or 38 per thousand. In year II., there
are 1,872, or 170 per thousand inhabitants, the number being more than
quadrupled. In year III., there are 1,122 deaths, or 122, which is
almost the triple. ("Statistique des Deux-Sevres," by Dupin, prefet, 2nd
memorial, year IX.)--At Strasbourg, ("Recueil des Pieces Authentiques,"
etc., vol. I., p.32, declaration of the Municipality,) "twice as
many died last year (year II.) as during any of the preceding
years."--According to these figures and the details we have read, the
annual mortality during years II. and III. and most of year IV., may
be estimated as having increased one-half extra. Now, previous to 1789,
according to Moheau and Necker, (Peuchet, "Statistique elementaire de la
France," 1805, p.239,) the yearly mortality in France was one person
to every thirty, that is to say, 866,666 deaths to a population of 26
millions. One-half in addition to this for two and a half years gives,
consequently, one million and eighty thousand deaths.]

2nd. During the whole of the Directory episode, privation lasted and
the rate of mortality rose very high, especially for sick children,
the infirm and the aged, because the convention had confiscated the
possessions of the hospitals and public charity was almost null. For
example, at Lyons, "The Asylums having been deprived of sisters of
charity during years II., III. and IV., and most of year V., the
children gathered into them could neither be fed nor suckled and
the number that perished was frightful." ("Statistique du Rhone," by
Vernier, prefet, year X.)--In Necker's time, there were about eight
hundred asylums, hospitals and charitable institutions, with one hundred
thousand or one hundred and ten thousand inmates. (Peuchet, ibid., 256.)
For lack of care and food they die in myriads, especially foundlings,
the number of which increases enormously: in 1790, the figures do not
exceed 23,000; in year IX., the number surpasses 62,000, (Peuchet, 260):
"It is a 'perfect deluge,'" say the reports; in the department of Aisne,
there are 1,097 instead of 400; in that of Lot-et-Garonne, fifteen
hundred, (Statistiques des prefets de l'Aisne, Gers, Lot-et-Garonne),
and they are born only to die. I