THE POOR LAW. 245 



diminution of rates, as well as a reduction in the 

 number of applicants for relief, so that by the end of 

 the year the Union rate was reduced 20 per cent., and 

 the number of paupers receiving out-door relief was 

 diminished in proportion. We made another alteration by 

 the compulsion exercised on the children of paupers to 

 contribute to the maintenance of their parents. It really 

 surprised me to find Englishmen, perhaps paupers for 

 years, receiving 3^-. to 5^". per week from the rates whose 

 sons were in business, some of them better off than many 

 guardians on the board. These scamps, as soon as they 

 were threatened with a summons, at once took theii 

 parents off the pay list. Others, again — young, heart> 

 agricultural labourers, single men, earning from 14^-. to 

 i6s. per week, when such wages went further than larger 

 sums nowadays — refused to contribute a farthing to 

 the support of an aged father or mother, not even 

 having the excuse of belonging to some club, in most 

 instances lodging themselves with brothers or sisters, 

 and paying perhaps not more than is. per week for their 

 lodging, spending the remainder of their earnings entirely 

 upon themselves. I have now been a guardian many 

 years, and have seen the poor rate — the rate raised 

 especially for the poor — reduced more than one-half; 

 the poor themselves are better off, and a healthier feeling 

 is springing up amongst the agricultural labourers in 

 the district ; the proper spirit of pride slowly asserting 

 itself, has developed amongst them a desire to be above 

 dependence upon the parish. Much of this feeling has 

 no doubt been caused by the higher wages of the field 

 labourer, much b/ the improved system of education. 



