II

In England the ancient poor law of Elizabeth's time was completely recast in 1834. No comparison is possible between the earlier and the present time, but it is estimated that in 1849 there Edition: current; Page: [145] were not more than a million poor in England and Wales, say 5½ to 6 per cent. of the population.

According to the Report of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws (1909, p. 20) the cycles of pauperism since 1871 (the year when the complete statistics for England and Wales begin) are as follows:—

Cycles.	Mean number of persons relieved.	Mean of the annual rates per 1000 of estimated population.	Decrease in rate as compared with preceding cycle.
1871–2 to 1879–80 (9 years)	747.936	..... 31.2	..... —
1880–1 to 1887–8 (8 years)	711.626	..... 26.6	..... 4.6
1888–9 to 1895–6 (8 years)	694.094	..... 23.8	..... 2.8
1896–7 to 1905–6 (10 years)	718.444	..... 22.2	..... 1.6
1906–7 latest years 1907–8	769.160	..... 22.3	..... —
	772.346	..... 22.1	..... —

In the two years 1906-7, 1907-8 the numbers have oscillated, and as it is not yet clear what place they will occupy in the general movement, they are given separately.

According to a table presented to the International Statistical Institute at its meeting in London (August, 1905) by Mr. C. S. Loch, Professor at King's College and Secretary of the Charity Organisation Society, the ratio of pauperism has undergone the following variations in the Metropolis:—

Year (End of Jan.)	Population in thousands.	Indigent persons relieved per thousands of population.	Ratio of pauperism.
1861	2,770	114.5	4.13
1871	3,221	162.4	5.04
1881	3,771	105.6	2.80
1891	4,181	100.6	2.41
1901	4,511	106.4	2.36
1903	4,579	114.6	2.50
1904	4,614	117.4	2.54
1905	4,649	128.2	2.76

After 1903 there is a slight rise, but this is in great measure owing to the markedly paternal Edition: current; Page: [146] Socialism which is “making the poor.”1 In spite of this disturbing psychological element the proportionate number of the poor has decreased by more than one-half since 1861.

The rich may become richer, but the poor do not become poorer. The followers of Marx have announced the ruin of the bourgeoisie in the following terms:—

The bourgeoisie is incapable of ruling because it is no longer able to ensure the existence of its slave, even in the conditions of his slavery, because it is obliged to allow him to fall into a condition in which it must support him instead of being supported by him.2

The pretended slave knows better and better how to support himself by his labour and even by his thrift.

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