The Poor Law report of 1909 : a summary explaining the defects of the present system and the principal recommendations of the Commission, so far as relates to England and Wales / by Helen Bosanquet.

  • Helen Bosanquet
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The Poor Law report of 1909 : a summary explaining the defects of the present system and the principal recommendations of the Commission, so far as relates to England and Wales / by Helen Bosanquet. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    (2) “The Homes for the Aged and Deserving Poor were erected to comply with the urgent recommendations of Mr. Chaplin’s Circular. They may be described as adequately supported almshouses, under disciplinary con- ditions, such as obtain and are enforced among the passengers of a mail steamer. The swing gate of the institution is always open. The inmates go out when they please, but we understood that they seldom go beyond the garden : they prefer that their friends should come and see them and, we were told, not a few look in for a £ cup of tea.’ ” (3) . “ The building includes a number of cottage homes for aged couples. They were quite simple in character, but bright, and the inmates seemed very happy. The meals are served to them in their own rooms, and they make their own tea.” (4) “ A street of four cottages with gardens has been bought for 1,200, and converted by inmates’ labour into cottage homes for four married couples, and thirty-two old men of good character ; the cost thus being ^30 a head. The inmates of these homes seemed very happy, and we understood were free from all the more irksome regulations of workhouse life.” (5) “ The inmates, over 900 in number, were con- gregated in large rooms, without any attempt to employ their time or cheer their lives. There was a marked absence of any human interest, and though the super- intendent and matron impressed us favourably, it was impossible to avoid feeling that the lives of the inmates were not merely wanting in colour, but were aimless and listless. On more than one occasion there have been offers from outside to brighten the Sunday service, but
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