The returns collected by successive Census Commissioners gave considerable information upon this point. "London is the metropolis of the Empire," wrote the Commissioners of 1861, "and thither the representatives of other nations, of the Colonies, and of Scotland and Ireland resort; but it is chiefly the field in which the populations of the several counties of England find scope for their talents and their industry." The majority of the inhabitants of London in 1861 were indigenous, for 1,701,177 were born within its limits; 1,062,812 were born elsewhere. Of these 1,062,812, close on 36,000 were born in Scotland, 107,000 in Ireland, 19,000 in the Colonies, and 48,000 were foreigners. The remainder--amounting to about 893,000--were born in the extra-metropolitan counties of England and Wales. "Proximity to the metropolis, and the absence of manufactures at home, first drew the natives of these counties to London. The stream of immigrants from the south-western counties was large: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire having sent 128,422 of their natives to be enumerated in London." Likewise the stream from Norfolk and Suffolk was large. But the great bulk of the immigrants came from the counties immediately around London. To put the figures in simple form--of every 1,000 inhabitants of London, 606 were born in London, the remaining 394 were born elsewhere. And the census provided also the means for ascertaining as correct a death-rate as could be arrived at. In 1851 the death-rate was 23·38 per 1,000; in 1861 it was 23·18--not much of a decrease, but satisfactory in showing that some of the evil powers of insanitation were stayed. It is, however, always to be borne in mind that either the death-rate, or the number of deaths, gives but an imperfect and incomplete picture of the sanitary condition of a population. It tells but the tale of those who have died of disease--it leaves uncounted and untold the far greater number of those who have been either temporarily disabled or maimed for life by disease. Estimates vary considerably as to the number of persons who suffer from disease and recover; and the proportion of recoveries to deaths varies in different diseases, some diseases being so much more deadly than others. But the sick-rate is always, and under all circumstances, very much greater than the death-rate. The mere taking of a census could have no visible or actual effect; the routine of life and the action of the various economic and social forces continued unchanged; but the information gained was of the utmost value. The figures and the facts recorded afforded startling demonstration of the immensity of London, and of the growing gravity and complexity of the great problems of London life.