What is the best method to use in the graduation of a mortality table, although not a new question, is one which always must have a practical interest for the profession; and as the various methods of graduation which have been devised from time to time can all boast of their respective admirers, the subject is one which cannot easily be disposed of at present. In the following paper it is not proposed to open up any discussion on the general principles involved, nor is it proposed to go into any detail as to how far these general principles have been carried out in the various well known methods of graduation. The purpose of the paper is of a somewhat different nature.