251 



CHAPTER XXVII 



The only Possible Conclusions — An Appeal to 

 THE Public 



THE searchlight of Truth has been freely utilised in 

 the foregoing chapters for the purpose of illustra- 

 ting to the people of this country the perils with which 

 they are confronted. The Dragon which was slain by 

 St George has again to be encountered, overthrown, and 

 destroyed in the shape of the terrible modern scourge of 

 poverty, pauperism, waste, criminal neglect, and physi- 

 cal degeneration. Slowly, but surely, has this monster 

 been gripping the body politic with all-embracing tenta- 

 cles, and draining away the vitality and even the life- 

 blood of the Nation. 



An earnest endeavour has been made in this book to 

 expose to the public view this rapacious modern Dragon ; 

 to describe the many ways in which it has wrought 

 havoc throughout the country; and to show how those 

 who should have followed the example of St George, and 

 have gone out to slay it, have been either too slothful, 

 too indifferent, too self-seeking, or too cowardly to pro- 

 tect the people from its ravages. 



The object of the writer has been to arouse the people 

 to a sense of the necessity of taking drastic measures for 

 their own protection and benefit before it is too late. A 

 glorious heritage has been handed down to them by 

 their forefathers and they are bound in honour to 



