29 OCTOBER 1887, Page 14

WORK FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.

[To rim EDITOR Or THZ .SPECTATOR..] SIE,—You inquire "whether any human being can suggest a piece of productive work which can be given to the unemployed to do." Canon Kingsley's pamphlet, "The Air Mothers," will answer your question. He imagines an inhabitant of ancient Rome walking the streets of our large cities, and viewing with astonishment our railways, engines, and telegraphs ; but makes- him, on learning that our common people had no free baths, exclaim that rightly had we been called barbarians, for our rulers had forgotten their great duty,—to keep the people clean.

While millions of gallons of water flow wasted to the sea for want of proper storage-places, and, at the same time, a bath is the luxury of the well-to-do, and disease and dirt go hand-in- hand among the crowds of the great unwashed, who shall say that public works are liot required ?

I leave it to cleverer heads than mine to say how the demand and supply can be brought together.—I am, Sir, &c., - S. L. P.

[The construction of baths would relieve none but builders ; but we admit that the construction of reservoirs for the storage of water is worth discussion.—ED. Spectator.]