42 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 



of deduction which will enable us to form some general 

 idea of the immense importance of the well-to-do 

 classes as the most valuable asset in the national life. 



Let us take Hospitals first, for in this branch of 

 philanthropy we have Burdett's Hospitals and Chanties 

 to guide us. 



In 1903 the income of our Hospitals amounted to 

 £2,500,000 annually. 



This vast income, with the exception of " Contribu- 

 tions from Workpeople " and " Patients' Payments," 

 which represent six per cent, of the income, comes 

 annually from the philanthropic well-to-do, either from 

 annual subscriptions, donations, legacies or investments 

 of moneys originally left to hospitals by charitable per- 

 sons. 



Capitalise this annual income, and we shall find that 

 at four per cent, it comes to about £62,500,000. The 

 well-to-do classes of this country have, therefore, set aside 

 the stupendous sum of over sixty-two millions sterling 

 out of their wealth, so that the poor and needy, the sick 

 and suffering among their fellow-countrymen may have 

 the same benefits of medical and surgical skill, and be as 

 tenderly cared for under their bodily afflictions, as they 

 are themselves. 



Then there is a large number of charities, apart from 

 Hospitals, such as: 



Charity Organisation Societies. 



Ambulance Associations. 



The Salvation Army. 



Church Extension Association. 



Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society. 



