An Introduction to the theory of statistics

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1751730271

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-127610

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Yule, George Udny http://d-nb.info/gnd/12910504X

Title:: An Introduction to the theory of statistics

Edition:: 8. ed. rev

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Griffin

Year of publication:: 1927

Scope:: XV, 422 S; Ill., Diagr

Digitisation:: 2021

Collection:: Economics Books

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THEORY OF STATISTICS. statistical writers have added a view of the principal epochas of the history of each country.” 3. Within the next few years the words were adopted by several writers, notably by Sir John Sinclair, the editor and organiser of the first Statistical Account of Scotland, to whom, indeed, their intro- duction has been frequently ascribed. In the circular letter to the Clergy of the Church of Scotland issued in May 1790,2 he states that in Germany * ‘Statistical Inquiries,” as they are called, have been carried to a very great extent,” and adds an explanatory footnote to the phrase ‘Statistical Inquiries”—“or inquiries respecting the population, the political circumstances, the pro- ductions of a country, and other matters of state.” In the “ History of the Origin and Progress”? of the work, he tells us, “Many people were at first surprised at my using the new words, Statistics and Statistical, as it was supposed that some term in our own language might have expressed the same meaning. But in the course of a very extensive tour, through the northern parts of Europe, which I happened to take in 1786, I found that in Germany they were engaged in a species of political enquiry, to which they had given the name of Staéisties;* . ... as I thought that a new word might attract more public attention, I resolved on adopting it, and I hope that it is now completely naturalised and incorporated with our language.” This hope was certainly justified, but the meaning of the word underwent rapid development during the half century or so following its introduction. 4. “Statistics” (statistik), as the term is used by German writers of the eighteenth century, by Zimmermann and by Sir John Sinclair, meant simply the exposition of the noteworthy characteristics of a state, the mode of exposition being—almost inevitably at that time—preponderantly verbal. The conciseness and definite character of numerical data were recognised at a comparatively early period—more particularly by English writers —Dbut trustworthy figures were scarce. After the commencement of the nineteenth century, however, the growth of official data was continuous, and numerical statements, accordingly, began more and more to displace the verbal descriptions of earlier days. “ Statistics ” thus insensibly acquired a narrower signification, viz., 1 Twenty-one vols., 1791-99. 2 Statistical Account, vol. xx., Appendix to ‘‘ The History of the Origin and Progress . . . .” given at the end of the volume. 8 Loc. cit.,'p. xiii, 4 The Abriss der Statswissenschajft der Europdischen Reiche (1749) of Gottfried Achenwall, Professor of Politics at Gottingen, is the volume in which the word ¢ statistik ”” appears to be first employed, but the adjective ‘‘statisticus” occurs at a somewhat earlier date in works written in Latin. 2

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