PUBLIC BATHS AND WASH-HOUSES.
THE subscription, we see, for supplying the poorer classes with baths and wash-houses goes on bravely. It has taken too firm a ground to be injured by the doubts which have been suggested. The main objections are two. It is said that the poor will not use the wash-houses, because they will be ashamed to expose their scanty and bad clothing. That sentiment may deter many from a real benefit ; but the intolerable evils of home-washing, and the oppressive sense of them felt by the sufferers, will urge most to seek relief at any cost of feeling. The other objection is, that the pro- ject is no cure for that hunger which is the master grievance of the poor: a pseudo Chinese writer in the Times this morning sneers at those who give the poor "hot water" when they ask for bread. It is very desirable that the poor should have bread ; but the supply of bread-stuffs, so far as it can be regulated by active interference, is involved in questions of great national policy, which cannot be determined merely at the will of a committee of private gentlemen ; whereas "hot water" and room for washing need wait on no delays of statecraft. Shall we then arrest the remedy of this positive evil until all are cured ? Before we hesitate to make one affliction the less, it must be shown that energy or money is actually diverted from higher enterprises.
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