2 OCTOBER 1841, Page 19

PACTS AND FIGURES.

THE object of this new periodical is to collect the statistics sup- plied by Parliament and the press ; to select and arrange them for present use or future reference ; and to apply to current ques- tions the facts which have a bearing upon them. Such a publica-

tion, properly conducted, would supply a want which every one must have felt who has had to make inquiries involving a reference to statistic All things considered, the Parliamentary Papers supply the amplest collection of statistics in the world ; but to many, perhaps to most persons, they are useless. In the first place, they are ex- pensive ; the annual subscription comes to a good many pounds. In the next place they are frequently voluminous and ill-arranged, facts being mixed up with opinions or the particulars are stated as well as the results when the results alone are generally wanted; the more complex require some practice to understand ; and the Government mode of printing is, partly from habit, partly from the necessity of making a specific return to each order, very wide and wasteful, one single line at times occupying a page. Grant all this conquered—money, time, skill, and house-room—it would only avail for a year. No private house could hold the returns from year to year ; the very House of Commons itself is compelled to resort to a digest.

An example or two may be instanced. The annual Finance Accounts and the Estimates occupy some four or five hundred folio pages ; containing very full facts in connexion with our public income and expenditure ; the Treasury, indeed, rarely doing more than draw from these, when particular returns are ordered by the House. Yet all the figures of this mass, which general inquirers want, could be presented intelligibly in little more than a single number of the Spectator; and intelligible they are not as they stand at present. The Finance Accounts, moreover, contain some statistics connected with trade and commerce, whilst others are scattered over the Sessional Papers • and so on of different subjects. To have these condensed skilfully and popularly pre- sented to the public at a cheap rate, and in a compact and intelli- gible form for inspection and preservation, is one of our public wants : whether there is a public to pay for it, is another matter.

But it is not only the Parliamentary Papers that contain facts. The press, as the editor of Facts and Figures observes, supplies something in this way ; though not much, and for the most part

borrowed. There are, however, many societies in this countrydevoted to statistics, that would be glad of a channel through which their labours might be sure of reaching those who could profit by them; and foreign publications, both official and private, are very rich. Carefully to examine, select, and condense these, so as to give us the statistics of the world in a single annual volume, is a useful labour.

The first requisite for the conductors of such a work, is a large and impartial mind. Opinions they must doubtless have, both in politics and political economy ; but those opinions should be under control. The only questions in a publication of this kind are, the magnitude of the statistics, their inherent interest, or the conclusions they contain. Whether they make for or against a particular party or a particular opinion, ought to be as much as possible shut out of view.

In these requisites, and in some others less difficult of attain- ment, Facts and Figures is deficient. In the very first table, "Items of Gross Revenue," no one but a statist versed in Govern- ment accounts can understand what is meant. A few articles of Customs and Excise are exhibited, and the total amounts of the different heads of revenue ; but, from want of specific references, no one will be able readily to refer to the originals ; nor is the gross receipt the best item to present for the purpose of the writer, or for any general purpose. The fact seems to be, that the author was not thinking of our public income, but of certain uses to which certain items could be turned. His object is to show, that in despite of increased population, and additional taxes, the revenue has really declined, although it increased on the figures. This is a proper and important point, though not one about which there is much scepticism • but the table seems to have been constructed rather for the sake of its accompanying paragraph, and the chance of quotation by Whig journals, than with a view to possess the reader with the statistics of our public income. In these requisites, and in some others less difficult of attain- ment, Facts and Figures is deficient. In the very first table, "Items of Gross Revenue," no one but a statist versed in Govern- ment accounts can understand what is meant. A few articles of Customs and Excise are exhibited, and the total amounts of the different heads of revenue ; but, from want of specific references, no one will be able readily to refer to the originals ; nor is the gross receipt the best item to present for the purpose of the writer, or for any general purpose. The fact seems to be, that the author was not thinking of our public income, but of certain uses to which certain items could be turned. His object is to show, that in despite of increased population, and additional taxes, the revenue has really declined, although it increased on the figures. This is a proper and important point, though not one about which there is much scepticism • but the table seems to have been constructed rather for the sake of its accompanying paragraph, and the chance of quotation by Whig journals, than with a view to possess the reader with the statistics of our public income.

This is the defect of the work : the statistics appear to be sub- ordinate to the preconceived theory of the writers ; and though they say, and no doubt believe, that they will not "withhold" facts, those facts seem to be selected which can be made to en- force their views. This is all fair enough provided such objects be distinctly understood : but whether in the long run they are likely to attract so large a class of readers as a more comprehensive and impartial work, may be questioned. We would also remark, that in quoting a Parliamentary document, its number and year should be given, as by this alone it can be procured. A mere name very often is like an address to "London." We have spoken of this publication as regards an inference from its promise, and the nature of its capabilities. As it stands, it contains valuable facts, especially in relation to some uppermost topics—Revenue, Corn, and Postage; all of which are shrewdly and often sensibly commented on. The price, too, is very moderate.