CONCLUSION 411 



dulge in anything of a sensational kind, but the cases 

 reported, almost daily, in the Press would be recognized 

 by those who work among the poor and minister to 

 them, as truthful examples of the suffering and indi- 

 gence that exist. One or two among large numbers 

 of these cases might be quoted. 



"Evidence was given at an inquest held yesterday 

 at the ' Walsall Arms,' Walsall, relative to the death of 

 Clara Anderson, aged 43 years. Charles Anderson, 

 the husband, stated that for eight months he had 

 been out of work. His society allowed him 6s. per 

 week. With this he had to keep his wife, who was ill 

 in bed with paralysis, and two children. The children 

 were taken away to the workhouse, and his wife be- 

 came very depressed in consequence. A verdict of 

 'Death from natural causes' was returned." ("Bir- 

 mingham Gazette," April 29th, 1905.) 



" At an inquest in Shoreditch on a widow named 

 Emily Higgins, it was stated that she and her three 

 children lived in a room for which 4s. per week was 

 paid. The mother's earnings at * wood-bundling ' 

 amounted to 6s, per week, and the eldest daughter, 

 aged 15, received 3s, 2d., leaving 5s. 2d. for the keep 

 of five persons after the rent had been paid. The 

 room was almost destitute of furniture, and Mrs. 

 Higgins had to borrow some clothing from a kind- 

 hearted neighbour before a doctor could see her." 

 ("Clarion," September 29th, 1905.) 



"At the Mansion House, before Alderman Burnett, 

 Rebecca Nowell, 32, was charged with begging and 

 exposing her two children in Gracechurch Street in 

 such a manner as to cause injury to their health. The 

 police-constable stated that on the previous evening 

 he saw the prisoner standing on the kerb begging 

 with her two children. The weather was bitterly 

 cold, and when he asked the prisoner why she was 



