nature scorned by insinuation or artifice to undermine another's reputation-his philanthropy was pure, unalloyed by considerations of personal advantage.

The editorial observations accompanying the present Report have been furnished by GEORGE DERBY, M. D., of Boston, who during the late war was four years in active service, with the highest reputation, as Surgeon of the 23d Regt. Mass. Vols., and Surgeon of U. S. Vols.

These analytical remarks and observations evince labor and research, as well as aptitude for this species of investigation. But as the Abstracts of the Census of 1865 are not yet completed, the discussion of certain subjects related thereto, which would otherwise have received attention in these pages, has been necessarily deferred until the publication of another Report. The chapter on Consumption possesses features of novelty, and will not be overlooked.

The importance of thoroughness and accuracy in our System of Registration, as has been heretofore observed, can hardly be over-estimated. Unless the work-including both the original Returns of the town clerks annually made to this office, and also the elaborate abstracts and tables here compiled-be well done, it will be worth but very little. Accordingly much care and labor are

employed to secure a complete result.

Negligence or

error of the town clerks, wherever discoverable in their original Returns, is carefully noted and correction secured by correspondence with the delinquent.

Further to secure the same end, a revised edition of a pamphlet containing full and explicit Instructions, with such additional suggestions as experience has shown to be necessary, has been during the past year printed and forwarded to all town clerks, and to all physicians who applied for them as well as to many who have not. A copy of the laws and instructions concerning the Solemnization of Marriages, has also been prepared for the use of clergymen, and extensively distributed. (Copies of either pamphlet will be immediately forwarded to any physician, clergyman or magistrate making application to this office by letter or otherwise, or whose name may be forwarded by a town clerk.)

A very great improvement has been effected in the RETURNS from the town clerks, since the early years of our Registration, by the continued and persistent effort employed to that end. In compliance with Instructions issued from this office, a canvass of all the families of most of the towns and cities, is annually or semi-annually made, for obtaining the facts of

the BIRTHS which have occurred. This method is simple and effective, and seems to have secured more complete returns than any other plan which has been employed. And it should here be stated, that the experience of the past has afforded instruction in regard to several points connected with the obtaining accurate returns, which, though at variance with previous theory, is yet exceedingly exact and conclusive.

The Returns of DEATHS and MARRIAGES are usually not inferior in completeness to those of the Births. The principal difficulties reported by the town clerks, relate to delinquencies of clergymen in regard to marriages; and sometimes to refusals of physicians to comply with the law concerning deaths. Doubtless, the latter difficulty may be remedied in part, by a judicious appeal of the town clerk, and the former it is hoped will be mainly obviated by the general distribution to clergymen of the pamphlet before alluded to, explaining their duties in connection with the Solemnization of Marriages. Nevertheless, cases must be expected occasionally to occur requiring correspondence and a rigid enforcement of the law.

For some twelve years past the Registration duties of this office, have been constantly under the charge and immediate supervision of EDWARD STRONG, M. D.,

whose education and previous pursuits have specially qualified him for such employment. The office labor has been performed by him and the most competent assistants, who have had the like advantage of several years' experience. Improvements have from time to time been made, whenever desirable, and unsparing efforts used to ascertain and effectually employ the best methods of securing a complete and absolutely perfect Registration of BIRTHS, MARRIAGES and DEATHS in Massachusetts.

My connection with this office for the nine years past, enables me to bear testimony in the fullest manner to the faithful, intelligent and scrupulous care employed in the prosecution of this important work from year to year; and to add that the present exceedingly judicious and effective arrangements-never so perfect as nowpromise to secure to the Commonwealth increased advantages in the future.

The work of editing the Annual Reports, has for many years past been intrusted to the most competent hands. The manner of its performance has given general satisfaction. The Registration Reports of Massachusetts have been constantly increasing in value, and have obtained a high reputation at home and also in Europe. In thoroughness and completeness they are,

to say the least, unsurpassed in this country, and the methods employed have served as models for adoption in other States. During the past week, a request has been answered from the State of Kentucky, for information concerning our Registration System, and specimens supplied of the blanks and documents employed therein, for the use of those intending the improvement of a Registration System there. Similar requests from other States for information and suggestions, &c., have not been infrequent in previous years, and furnish the most flattering testimony in favor of the system here adopted and of the success which has attended its prosecution.

Respectfully submitted.

OLIVER WARNER,

Secretary of the Commonwealth.