In availing ourselves of the permission, which has been kindly accorded to us by Mr. Rucker, to publish the Statement which he has compiled with so much labour and skill, we cannot but draw the attention of our readers to a collection of facts on a subject on which very little authentic information has yet been made public. The author has brought together, for each of the years in the Statement, the facts under the different heads distinguished below; but as the object of this publication is rather to deal with the averages of results, and the number is scarcely sufficient in each year and under each head to form a fair standard of comparison, it has been deemed sufficient to reprint merely the general summary for the five years together, and to add the proportions per cent. so as to allow of some general means of comparing the totals together. With these and with Mr. Rucker's explanatory notes, this curious subject is left for the consideration of those whose pursuits may lead them to take an interest in similar enquiries, or whose experience may enable them to appreciate their value. It is hoped, indeed, that the publication may induce others to add to information on a topic so rarely touched upon, and yet so well worthy of the attention of the statist and the practical man of business.