and sympathy with the much neglected childhood of our large towns. But would it not be better to denounce the idle, vicious parents, instead of relieving them of their obligations to their offspring? Is it wise, is it right, to be so sympathetic with the " outcast poor? " In relieving this class, are we acting honestly towards the honest poor, who struggle on, and do the best for their homes, but whose children lack, not only the com- forts, but often the necessaries of life? Be as kind as you like towards the orphans, the sick, the aged; but compel the parents who are able to work to contribute towards the maintenance of those whom they have recklessly brought into existence. Charity is a cruel kindness; it enfeebles the self-helping capacities of the poor. I would not help any one whose poverty is the result of his own self-indulgent habits. We are getting to look at the poor as a kind of martyrs, victims driven into misery by wealth. We had much better follow them home, after leaving off their day's work, and see how much of this cursed poverty is caused by their wilfulness and intemperance.

The next important consideration in this question of " improved dwellings for the poor" is, whether the people themselves are fit to occupy purer and better dwellings, whether they desire to make the change. "For in the long run it will be found, when this burst of excitement is over, that, without training these poorest people, no improvement in their houses will be of much avail. Read the most harrowing descriptions of the worst courts, and notice how many of the sorrows would not be remedied by cheap, good houses; watch the people, and think what they would make of these good houses if they had them tomorrow;