168 
JOUKNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSLITUTION. 
Government returns — which Mr. Purdy held should be multiplied 
three and a half times — there were one million paupers in 1860, 
and a million and a quarter in 1871. Taking the Government 
figures, there were thus in England, one pauper in 21 ; in Scotland, 
one in 26 ; and in Ireland, one in 7.3. Most recent writers had 
attacked the system of out-door relief. In England the out-door 
paupers were to the indoor as 6 to 1 ; in Ireland, 2 to 1. The 
difference arose partly from the fact that out-door relief was dis- 
couraged in Ireland ; partly because there was in that country a 
most efficient system of medical relief. In Ireland much larger sums 
were spent in medical relief than in England ; but the sums ex- 
pended in the relief of the poor were very much less. Plymouth, 
with a population of 63,000, spent £500 in medical relief, and 
£24,246 in the relief of the poor. Waterford, with a population 
of 60,000, spent £900 more in medical relief, but £12,000 less in 
poor rate. Passing to a consideration of the steps to be taken in 
dealing with pauperism, Mr. Prowse spoke in favour of the adop- 
tion of the Irish medical relief system, against the boarding-out 
scheme, for compulsory education, and for the application of the 
Factory Acts to the agricultural population. Some people advocated 
co-operation, others piece-work, as calculated to stimulate the 
energies of the working classes, who, it must be remembered, were 
very near the line of pauperism. He favoured the former. Emi- 
gration was not a panacea unless in exceptional cases. The cur- 
rency question had much to do with pauperism. The coinage of 
silver should be more extensive; and its depreciation might be 
obviated by making it a legal tender for sums above £2. The land 
question was both large and difficult. He did not think the rich 
could be prevented from accumulating land, but the distinction 
between real and personal property in cases of intestacy should be 
removed. Large possessors of land should be required to cultivate 
a portion. Something should be done to prevent the enclosure of 
commons and the destruction of cottages, and the latter should be 
improved. The accumulation of the working classes in towns had 
produced a degenerate physique ; and to counteract this an efficient 
system of medical relief should be established. Seventy-three 
per cent, of the pauperism arose from sickness. Especial care 
should be taken of the houses of the poor. His own opinion 
was that no house under £10 should be let without a licence from 
a sanitary inspector. Lastly, he came to intemperance, which was 
