London Pauperism. By J. H. Stallard, M.B. (Saunders and Otley.)
—After all that has been written on the subject of the London poor, there was room for Dr. Stallard's volume. It is devoted chiefly to a comparison of the system of relief in use among the Jews, and that which is sanctioned by the Poor Law Board for the parish unions. That the Christians might take many hints from the Jews appears in almost every page. Still Dr. Stallard should remember that there must always be exceptional charity shown by members of a raoe which forms a separate community towards their suffering brethren. We merely throw this out as a slight justification of the Poor Law Board, not as any justification of the Guardians. It is to ho hoped that public attention has now been awakened to the necessity of legislating for the poor, instead of against the poor, and of interpreting the laws liberally. Whether we can do away with the workhouse test remains to be seen, and though hitherto it has acted as a saving to the ratepayers and a cruelty to the poor, it might be applied so as to economize the tates and improve the condition of the people. But if this is to be done effectually, the Guardians must follow the examples set them by the Jews, and interest themselves in their work. Dr. Stallard gives us a sketch (at pp. 24 to 27 of his work) of the proceedings at a Jewish relief committee, and we commend those pages to all who would see how the wants of London are to be met. Indeed the whole volume is lull of valuable suggestions as to the reduction of pauperism in the only way that can be effectual.
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