284 FRANCIS ORPEN MORRIS 



originally formed after careful observation and 

 reflection. 



Before the beginning of 1876 the value of the 

 " Humanity Series of Schoolbooks," which had been 

 published a year or two previously, was acknow- 

 ledged on all hands, and their usefulness received 

 a stimulus in course of time owing to a lady, well 

 known for her benevolence, having contributed a 

 considerable sum for giving away the books to poor 

 schools. A large number of applications were re- 

 ceived for these gifts, and it was a revelation to find 

 what heavy sacrifices many of the clergy in some of 

 the very poorest parishes had made, and were mak- 

 ing at that time, on behalf of their schools. Thus, 

 for instance, one clergyman wrote to say that he 

 did not know whether his case would come under 

 the definition of " Poor Schools," for others might 

 be poorer ; but he did know that the previous year's 

 account left him with a heavy balance to meet, 

 which a living of but -95 a year could ill afford to 

 make good, the adverse balance being nearly 28. 

 Another wrote that his parish contained a thousand 

 very poor people, among whom he had worked for 

 sixteen years, building church, rectory-house, and 

 schools ; he added: "I cannot imagine a parish where 

 the ' Humanity Series of Schoolbooks ' would be 

 of greater service. I would gladly purchase this 

 series of books for the children were it in my 

 power." Dozens of similar cases might here be 

 quoted sfrowing clearly enough how well bestowed 

 the good lady's gift was, and that there was a loud 



