increase of the poor he attributes partly to the increase in the price of provisions and partly to—the growth of Methodism. Sir F. Eden's comment upon Mr Howlett's views is as follows:—"The real case, however, is that in every part of England, I had almost said in every parish, instances may be found of persons preferring a pension from the parish and a life of idleness to hard work and good wages."
Towards the end of the eighteenth century the value of Friendly Societies began first to be appreciated. In 1784 Mr Acland published a scheme for partly compulsory insurance through Friendly Societies, or "Box Clubs" as they were then called. Sir F. Eden devotes a special chapter to this subject of Friendly Societies, whose object he defines to be "that by an association of the many the few may be assisted, and to promote the most laudable of charities—that of securing to the industrious, from the surplus or part of the surplus of their savings, an equivalent reserve during their incapacity to labour." Sir F. Eden's approval of Friendly Societies has found abundant justification in the history of the nineteenth century. All experience shows that it is comparatively rare for members of a Friendly Society to apply for relief to the parish. He says, "Whether Friendly Societies will eventually contribute to reduce the poor rate the limited extent of my enquiries does not allow me peremptorily to decide. That, however, these institutions increase the comfort of the labouring classes who belong to them will be evident by comparing the condition of those who are members of them and those in the same parish who are contented to rely upon the parish for relief. The former are in general cleanly, orderly, and sober, and consequently good and happy members of society, while the latter live
