least, were rigged out in a very neat and workmanlike manner; but the old women were not so fortunate. One fine day they all blossomed out with dresses, some with red moons on a blue ground, some with white moons upon a brown ground. The dress, alas, though fashionable, was more distinctive than ever!
If the writer, who has been chairman for many years, off and on, of a Workhouse Examination Committee, were asked to specify the ruling characteristic of those with whom he has had to deal, he would say that it is a sort of happy-go-lucky irresponsibility. Occasionally some rather desperate characters enter a workhouse, but they seldom stay there long. There are also some who are clearly mentally or physically deficient, for whom some better system of treatment is desirable; but the majority are neither actively bad nor deficient, except in the desire to keep themselves. They know that the parish is bound to maintain them, and they ask for nothing better. There are many single men without dependents. One of them was asked recently why so many single men came into the workhouse, whilst married men were able to keep a wife and family outside. His reply was eminently candid: "I suppose it is because we ain't got no wives to keep us." But responsibility sits lightly also upon many married men. A young woman became chargeable not long ago, deserted by her husband. All that she had to show as to his whereabouts was a letter, without address, in which he exhorted her to "feed the rabbits and pigeons well whilst he was away." A married man was allowed out to look for work, leaving his wife and children chargeable, and, as is the rule, was told to report himself before the next fortnightly meeting of the Committee. He did not appear, but sent a letter to the Committee, apologising for his
