-rate would be much higher
than the present statistics show. In those countries where the records
are kept the number of still-born illegitimate births is always very
high, sometimes twice as high--as it is for children born under the
protection of marriage.

2. Deaths.

An unusually high infant mortality is found everywhere among
illegitimate children. In general, the illegitimate rate is twice as
great as the legitimate. _Two unprotected children die for each
protected child._

1912-1916 DEATHS PER 1,000 UNDER 1 YEAR.

All infants
under 1 year. Legitimate. Illegitimate.

1912 95 91 121
1913 106 104 213
1914 105 100 207
1915 190 105 203
1916 91 87 183

The mortality of unmarried mothers is proportionately great.

"The ratio of illegitimate to legitimate mortality in the first week of
life has increased from 170 per cent. in 1907 to 201 per cent. in 1916.
These facts have a somewhat ominous aspect and suggest that infant
welfare organizations might well devote special attention to the first
days of the life of illegitimate children."--(_Report of the
Registrar-General for 1916._)

The Law of Affiliation and Bastardy. (Brief Summary of the Law in
England and Wales.)

The mother is the legal parent. The child is not legitimized on the
marriage of its parents. The child has no rights of inheritance from
either parent. Where paternity is established the father is liable for
support (or alimony). In Scotland the marriage of the mother with the
father legitimizes the child. In Ireland the mother is not allowed to
claim alimony herself--she must go into the workhouse and the guardians
must sue for her.

To Obtain an Affiliation Order.

By the Bastardy Laws Amendment Act, 1872, the mother must apply to a
justice of the peace for a summons to be served on the man alleged by
her to be the father of her child. The cost of this summons is 3/6 with
an additional 2/- for delivery if beyond the limits of a city borough.
The cost of the affiliation order, when obtained, is 9/-. The
application for the order may be made before the birth of the child or
within twelve months after the birth. It cannot be done after that time
unless (1) the man has acknowledged his paternity by paying money for
the child, (2) the alleged father has left England, in which case a
summons can