NAPOLEON'S PRISONERS OF WAR Sat,—War brings the same problems to
each succeeding generation. Sometimes the means of dealing with them vary little: in the exhibi- tion of invasion pamphlets and broadsides in the Bodleian Library the arguments addressed to a defeatist worker who argued that he would be no worse off under Napoleon are strongly reminiscent of those of Mr. W. J. Brown in a recent broadcast speech. From a Lincolnshire parish chest comes a document to illustrate another of the inevitable problems of war—the relief of prisoners—and in view of the recent controversy on the subject of parcels sent by the Red Cross to Germany at the present time, it may be of interest to note the method of relief 130 years ago. The paper is addressed to the Minister and Churchwardens of the Parish of Frodingham, and though it is undated the frank-mark shows it was sent on March 29th, am No doubt similar copies were sent to all parishes, since on a previous occasion "considerable sums were raised in some places :hrough the influence of the clergy who considered the object deserving of recommendation in their sermons and the Committee would think
a great advantage to obtain the same valuable assistance now." Relief was organised by a private committee of twenty-six persons with Thomas Ferguson as secretary. Its headquarters were at Lloyds Coffee House, anil at the time of its second appeal it had spent E30,00o in three years for the relief of 6,000 prisoners. " Very particular details of the distribution of the last subscription have been received from France and remain in the hands of the secretary for inspection, who will be happy to furnish any further information that may be desired on this subject." The administration of the fends had been entrusted to " the care of some of the most respect- able persons detained in France: amongst whom were clergymen and several officers both naval and military." The chief Committee in France was at Verdun and consisted of about twelve gentlemen on parole, who had agents in nine other places accountable to the main Committee monthly.
The recipients of relief came into a variety of categories with different scales of payment: ".4 to 6 sous to women and children in distress living with their husbands or parents who not being con- sidered as prisoners by the French do not receive any rations.
4 to 6 sous to the better sort of the distressed non-combatants, to certain passengers, and to distressed masters of vessels under So tons register, who are paid only as seamen by the French Government.
3 sous to old men of 55 and upwards ; and to wounded prisoners who have lost a limb or who are disabled for future service.
z sous (being about a penny) to all the prisoners in distress.
Medicines and relief to the sick whose complaints do not oblige them to go to the hospital.
Assistance to all descriptions of prisoners on their march from the coast, or from one depot to another.
Occasional aid in clothes, bedding, &c., to all prisoners in distress. Schools established at most of the depots to occupy and improve the Young men who are prisoners." The reference to " old men of 55 and upward " comes as some- thing of a surprise, and reminds one that in expectation of life, at least, we have progressed in the last century. And the provision of educational facilities argues a degree of enlightenment that one would not have expected in an age when the number of people believing in universal education was extremely small ; while on the capturers' side it seems that that age was more humanitarian than the present, %%hen probably no nation at war permits wives and children to reside
with its prisoners.—I am, Sir, yours, &c., KATHLEEN MAJOR. 2 Queensway, Lincoln.
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