A COLONY OF MERCY.
[To TUN EDITOR or Toe "sends rote.'] SI11,—For some time the question of proper provision for the mentally defective who are capable of being trained to con- tribute to their own support has been before the public, and the Royal Commission on the Care of the Feeble-Minded has drawn special attention to the danger of leaving this type of degenerates to their own devices. The rick-firing, train-wrecking, and other criminal propensities of persons of this kind are well known to the newspaper reader, who generally, however, fails to attribute the crime to its right source. H.R.H. the Princess Christian has taken a deep personal interest in this problem, and a fund, which is called by her name, has been started in order to provide for this class, especially for the children, in a colony where, under proper control, they may become industrial workers instead of costly wastrels. Over £2,000 has already been collected, but a sum of £8,000 is required before the colony can be completed. A lady has kindly offered £100• if we can raise £900 in addition before the end of September. Only 2380 is now required to make up this sum, and the £3,000 would enable us to buy the farm we want. May I, therefore, appeal for assistance through your columns to any of your readers who feel disposed to help forward so neces- sary a social reform, so that we may not lose this generous gift P In the Report of the Royal Commission on the Feeble- Minded the highest value is placed upon voluntary service in the cause, not only on the score of its great economy, but also on account of the " personal work, endeavour, and influence which is characteristic of it." If we can only get the farm- land, the money for the necessary buildings, &,c., will soon
Chairman of the National Association for the Feeble-Minded.
Denison House, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W.
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