200 REPORT — 1871. 



to bring before us iu a precise shape the comparative principles and practical ope- 

 rations of the poor laws in England, Scotland, and Ireland — a subject undoubtedly 

 of great interest and importance. In connexion with the subject of pauperism, one 

 of the most important elements for consideration relates to private charity. It is 

 certain that an enormous sum of money is annuallj' distributed in that way through- 

 out the kingdom, and it is equally certain that the good done bears little propor- 

 tion to the amount given. It cannot be too much inculcated upon men's minds 

 that the givers of indiscriminate charity are practically to be classed among the 

 most mischievous enemies of the poor. The direct tendency of what they do is to 

 tempt and encourage the poor to become hypocrites and impostors, to paralyze their 

 industrj', and to undermine their self-respect and self-reliance. It is false to call 

 such expenditure by the name of charity. A great deal of it doubtless proceeds 

 from feelings of true benevolence ; but how much of it is prompted by other 

 motives ? The desire to do as others do, the wish to avoid the unpleasant sight 

 of distress, real or apparent, the inability to resist importunitj', the superstitious 

 idea that it is a duty to give a portion of our means in the name of alms, without 

 regard to the effect produced, just as the Pliarisees were scrupulous to pay tithes 

 down to the lowest article. Protestants are in the habit of reproaching Catholic^ 

 with the importance they attach to mere good works ; but that fault is not con- 

 fined to Catholics, but is deeply seated in human nature. The false notion of ex- 

 piating sins, or of propitiating Divine favour by some self-sacrifice that is perhaps 

 easily made, prevails in all sects. A story was current some time ago of a man 

 belonging to a very anti-Catholic sect, who had become rich by ver}' questionable 

 means, and who, when on his death-bed, asked his minister whether, if he gave 

 £10,000 to the church, it would improve his prospects in the other world. The 

 cautious and conciliatory answer was, that it "s^'as impossible to guarantee anj' such 

 matter, but that it seemed an experiment well worth trying. No such liberality, 

 whether in one's life-time or on death-bed, deserves tlie name of charity. There 

 can be no charity unless there is the desire to do good to the recipient ; and there 

 can be no enlightened charity that does not seek to carry out that wish in the ri^Lt 

 waj', by making careful inquiry as to the circumstances in which the boon is be- 

 stowed, and the effect which it is likely to have. It is not an easy task to accom- 

 Elish tbis object ; but I am glad to see that on all sides measures are being taken, 

 y the help of associations and otherwise, to assist benevolent persons in wisely 

 and intelligently carrying out their views. Two great considerations are here to 

 be looked to — the real destitution of the parties to whom charity is given, and the 

 caution that confines it mainly to casual and extraordinary causes of distress, and 

 does not establish any resource on which the poor can rely, so as to dispense with 

 ordinary and necessary prudence on their part. 



On Sanltio-y Measures for Scottish Villages. 

 By Colouel Sir J. E. .Ilexandek, K.C'.L.S., F.E.S.E. 



Within the last forty years there has been a gi-adual improvement iu many Scot- 

 tish villages, which by the absence of attention to the outward and visible sio-ns of 

 cleanliness, exhibited great carelessness in sanitarj^ measures. Manure-heaps are 

 still, no doubt, not far off from the cottages; but it is the business of the sanitarv 

 officers to see that they and pigsties are not close to doors or windows. Some of 

 our health oflicers are firm and do their duty, and insist on attention to sanitary 

 rides ; others again wink at irregularities, and favour particular parties to the in- 

 jury of their neighbours. There is still a vast amount of ignorance both as to the 

 necessity for pure air and water to insure good health to the community. 



In visiting the cottages we still see occasionally that fever-chest called a " box- 

 bed," iu which at night a father, mother, and two or three children may bo 

 found, with the air poisoned by their breath. We stiU see in many cottages win- 

 dows built into the wall, and quite incapable of being opened. Landlords sliould 

 endeavour to remedy this evil, as it costs little to make an arrangement for admittii!«- 

 air through the natural channel — the window. How can we expect to find health 



