298 LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 



receptacles for Reformed Prostitutes, Foundling 

 Children, and other unfortunates ! Can that be 

 a happy or natural state of things, which makes ne- 

 cessary such Institutions as these ? It is ludi- 

 crous to hear people hoast of these establishments, 

 as so many proofs of the blessings" conferred by 

 civilization; whereas they are, in fact, standing 

 monuments of its shame and disgrace. Is it a 

 credit to us, that we live in a state of society in 

 which sickness and suffering are so rife, that thou- 

 sands of public Hospitals and Dispensaries are re- 

 quired to administer relief to the diseased ? Is it a 

 credit to us, that destitution is of such frequent occur- 

 rence, that public buildings are necessary to receive 

 the destitute ? Is it a credit to us, that we live in a 

 state of things, the tendency of which is so frequently 

 to overturn the human reason, that it has become 

 necessary to provide public buildings for the recep- 

 tion of the mad ? Can that be a meritorious con- 

 dition, which makes it necessary to provide a Men- 

 dicity Society in order to restrain beggary; and 

 a Humane Society for the prevention of suicide ? 



Yet, once again, look through society. Look at 

 our hosts of lawyers, and others engaged in the 

 law all of whom live, and thrive, solely from the 

 proceeds of vice, dishonesty, and crime ! Look at 



