The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-19 00:00:00

and, in fact, the present mode of procedure militates
in so many ways against the well-being of the com-
munity that all who have the best interests of
society at heart can hardly fail to lend their aid
and co-operate with those who propose any plan
for the adjustment of this social grievance. It
seems strange that not one among the philana
thropic members of the Legislature has taken
up this question, and thus afforded the misin-
formed or ignorant an opportunity of joining
their forces and exerting their influence to gain
this inestimable advantage. In this letter we find
that mention is made of the time at which distress
prevails to the greatest extent. During the winter
months it is of course on the increase, and becomes
urgent by Christmas; it then extends over the inter-
vening months till March, and afterwards gradually
lessens. The writer proposes that an increased
allowance be made to the poor during this period of
severe distress—'his to be effected without in-
creasing the rates by modifying the ratio afforded
in the summer. There is great sense in this pro-
posal, and one that may well come under considera-

tion. Indeed the proposition has so much to recom-
mend it that it seems singular that it should not
before have suggested itself to some who studied the
case in all its bearings. As it is well put here,
" every housekeeper knows that people require more
food in winter, more coals, more clothing, in fact
more bodily support in every way than they do in
summer, and yet little or no notice is taken of the
fact in the regulations of the Poor Law Board or
of the guardians in the several unions." A little
forethought and proper precautions in these matters
may work wonders, and while some one despairing
of ever effecting any radical change for the better,
the introduction of a very simple change may, in

the course of time, tend to remove the obstacles that
seem insurmountable. It stands to reason that the
destitute must stand in need of nearly double the
amount of out-door relief in the inclement weather,
and yet the wise ones who preside over
such matters have so decreed affairs that

.he help is precisely the same. Surely it

is possible that before another winter this
admirable plan may be put in force, and thus the
poor distressed may no longer pine in want and
indigence, but have at least welcome, if small, ad-
dition to their support. Nothing can extenuate the
negligence of those who have allowed the whole
system of parish rates to fall into the state in which
they now are; and if through prejudice or narrow
views they persist in checking the projects of re-
form and adhering to the old abuses, the disasters
and deaths that occur will lie at their doors. When
the lives of fellow creatures are at stake, it is piti-
ful to find authorities so bigoted to their own im-
pressions, and officials so prone to be obdurate, and
always to prefer measures to men. There has been
no lack of evidence to show that most comprehen-
sive changes are imperatively called for; and the
most hard and prosaical political economist can
hardly defend a system which has for its results
such sad and direful casualties. It is sad to reflect
upon the vast amount of misery that is endured be-
fore a remedy is introduced in these parochial
affairs; and it is urgently to be trusted that some
decided steps will be taken before long to settle
this much-talked of question of parish rates. This
cannot now be considered any longer in the shape
of a monetary grievance to be diacussed at leisure,
or a political measure that can be settled at any
time; but the subject is one that aft-,cts the vital
concerns of the community, and the best interests
of humanity are at stake. It is not too much, then,
to expect those qualified to aid in the good work to
be up and doing with a strong will and a steadfast
purpose.