examination, which is so close and searching, so absolutely inquisitorial, that no man who could possibly escape from it would submit to it. The inquisitors are towns-folk, elected for their special fitness, of whom none is expected to look after more than four cases of destitution. They are able, therefore, thoroughly to inform themselves as to each case; and this is the point-though the local law is rigorous in the extreme, the relief, if deserved, is to be administered mercifully, and in a spirit of kindness and Christian forbearance. The visitor is not the off-hand, curt, paid official, but he is "to be the friend and adviser of the poor, who apply to him for legal relief." One of the most efficient remedies for the amelioration of the misery of the poor, for the elevation of the lowest class, would be an alteration of our system, so as to secure this "personal interest" between the reliever and relieved, and the result here would be as successful as it has been in Elberfeld.

Thirty years ago, that town contained an amount of pauperism which had become a source of grave public danger and of enormous expense. Various efforts were made to reform matters, but all failed, until they tried "personal influence," aided with proper machinery. The one is essential to time other. At one time they allowed the Lutheran Church in the town to take charge of all the poor within their community, and to administer such funds as were necessary. But it soon became apparent that, although the Lutherans were the least necessitous of the inhabitants, the pauperism under Church supervision had become 80 per cent. more than in the rest of the town. In 1853-4 was established at Elberfeld the present system of "good