Mr. Edward Hughes, Vice-Chairman of the East Ashford Poor- law
Union, has published a pamphlet on the working of the law in Kent, formerly perhaps the most pauperized district in England. He states many particulars which prove that a great saving in the cost of maintaining the poor, and an improvement in the morals and comfort of the population, have been the result of the new system, In Sheppey the rates have been reduced 251 per cent. ; Faversham 52; Milton 52A ; Blean Union 481; Thanet Union 55; East Ashford more than 42 ; West Asl: 'ord ; Eastry 51A; Eltham Union 51; Bridge Union 221. Mr. Hughes says that the prejudice and ill feelingto- wards the new law has "astonishingly subsided ;" the working classes, knowing it to be the law of the land, do not now protest against it ; and that it has worked a great change for the better is universally acknow- ledged. With respect to the Workhouse diet, Mr. Hughes, who had though it " inadequate," tried it himself for a month; and the following is the result of the experiment- " I have considered it but fair to state, that my apprehensions, which were by no means peculiar to myself, wet", Ls to the quantity of food, quite groundless ; the supply for me (possessin., a good apps' ite) being more than sufficient ; indeed I did not require, and consequently consume, more than five-sevenths of the quantity; and I fully believe, for the month, I ate less than that propor- tion. For four days in the week, twenty-two ounces of food is the intended allowance to male paupers ; and for the three remaining days one pound of meat, or puddings, and vegetables, with fourteen ounces of bread and cheese each day. " I may here state, that I have rigidly refrained from the use of wine and other fermented liquors, saving the luxury of small beer ; and this is, I believe, the only inroad made on the letter of the whole regulations. An intirnat, friend, also a Guardian, has made common cause with me, and joined in the trial. His declaration is, that the quantity is sufficient for him—indeed, con- siderably more than he requires. \%'e are gratified to find this. Perhaps we are the only two individuals in our grade of society who have really made a practical experiment on this head in the Eastern division of our county ; and I may truly add, that our health has been adequate to that of any former period."
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