The Census Returns are oozing out in driblets. It is
said, but we will not vouch for the precise accuracy of the figures, that the population of the United Kingdom will be found to be thirty-four millions, of which twenty-five live in England, four in Scotland, and five in Ireland. It is more certain that the population of "Registration London" has increased from 3,254,000 in 1871, to 3,814,000, the increase being 500,000, or 17 per cent. in the decade. In 1801, on the same area, the population was 958,000; and in 1821, 1,378,000, the increase being nearly threefold in sixty years. Tho centres of largest increase have been Kensington, which now contains 270,000, and is larger than Leeds; Islington, now 282,000; Hackney, 186,000; Poplar, 156,000; Lambeth, 253,000 ; Wandsworth, which has nearly doubled, now a parish of 210,000; and Camberwell, 180,000. The City, Westminster, and Maryiebone have all de- clined, and the two former are now.trumpery little places, only 51,000 people living in "London," and 4.6,000 in Westminster. Lewisham has now 20,000 more people than the Lord Mayor's dominion. It is astonishing how difficult it is to rid ourselves of the effect of historic names. No one ever thinks of these London parishes as if they were great cities. Woolwich now contains the population of Norwich, and is probably richer; but who thinks of Woolwich and Norwich as equal in national importance P
Previous page
