298 TlMEHRI. 
a man lay by for a rainy day, it a paternal Government 
is ready upon such an occasion to step forward with an 
umbrella, and the obliging "allow me!" Whilst desir- 
ing to see in every way the strong right hand of help, 
advice and encouragement, extended to these people, one 
cannot help fearing that the emasculating philanthropy 
of such acts and ordinances coming in quick succession, 
may so reflect upon the people themselves as to leave 
them devoid of all self-help ; and for our future philan- 
thropists in this line leave nothing, beyond the distri- 
bution of automatic back-scratchers, to be done, 
eventually, for a people who will thus have been educated 
to wait and expe6t to have everything done^for them — 
thus reversing in every way that healthiest of 
economies amidst communities which encourages the 
best energies of manhood, and proves in its wholesome 
ambition for independence to be the safeguard of the 
people while ensuring their greatest happiness. 
Medical advice should be easily obtainable ; medicines 
and comforts easily procurable ; the assistance of a 
qualified dispenser and midwife easily accessible ; and 
the sanitary conditions of the people primarily con- 
sidered. But against treating or legislating for the free 
rural population as a community of paupers, I appeal ; 
and I trust that the instin6l of a just pride and self- 
reliance has not, amidst all the help they have received, 
been so far helped out of them, but that the honest working 
man or mechanic would even himself appeal against 
such degradation as would legislate for him and his 
descendants for ever in the category of paupers ! Fifty 
years of freedom must have done more for our free 
rural population than to leave them thus. 
