THE

UNIVERSITY

SOCIAL WORK

IN

AUSTRALIA AND LONDON.

The following are notes of a talk by WILLIAM GREY, Esquire, of the Deni- son Club, London, to a few students of Social Science in the Johns Hopkins University, January 12, 1889. — EDITOR.*

THE " EXCELSIOR CLASSES" IN AUSTRALIA.

About five or six years ago, Mr. William Groom, a young workman in a silk-hat factory in Melbourne used to observe with great distress the large number of boys who were drinking in the saloons of the city, especially on Saturday nights. The sight at last troubled him so much that he resolved to attempt some method of diminishing the evil : so one evening he accosted a group of boys in a saloon, and asked them whether they really found any enjoyment in that mode of spending time. They answered that perhaps after all there was not much fun in it. Mr. Groom then invited them to come next Saturday evening to his lodgings, and said that he would try to furnish them with better amusement. Some of the boys came, and Mr. Groom, though feeling awkward and embarrassed, did his best to entertain them with games, reading, and a little personal talk. By degrees his unique power of influencing boys became manifest ; numbers began to gather round him, and his work became known to a few persons of wealth and position, who, recognizing Mr. Groom's peculiar gifts, agreed to guarantee a sufficient sum annually to enable him to devote his whole time to the work among the boys.

It may be mentioned in passing that Mr. Groom's most enthusiastic sup- porter is a young artist, belonging to a family of high standing and influence in Victoria, who is himself carrying on an interesting and valuable work in the Melbourne Hospital. Owing to impaired vision, he is #ble to work at his profession only during the morning hours. He therefore devotes three afternoons in the week to visiting the patients in the surgical wards of the Hospital — those in the medical wards have comparatively little superfluous energy — reading and talking to them, keeping them supplied with books, and teaching them netting, macrame work, and the construction of picture-

* It is proposed to issue from time to time (in connection with the Johns Hopkins Uni- versity Studies in Historical and Political Science) brief Notes on current topics of interest. Municipal Government in England, a report of an interview with ALBERT SHAW, Ph. D., was issued in January, 1889.

2 Sociological Notes. [10

frames and a variety of other artistic and useful objects. The various mate- rials required he brings at each visit. In this way the wearisome hours of the patients are lightened, some useful minor industries are learned, and the sale of the products gives the patients in many cases a substantial sum of money to make a fresh start when they are discharged from the Hospital.

To return to Mr. Groom's special work. When he was enabled to give his whole time to it, the movement spread rapidly. Six or seven large classes, each consisting of several hundreds of boys, were formed in various parts of the city. Mr. Groom's earnest endeavor throughout was to estab- lish them on a self-governing and self-supporting basis, and to avoid all showy display of the work for the sake of obtaining "patronage" and con- tributions. The weekly meetings of the classes are held primarily for the sake of mutual entertainment. A large room is either lent or rented, and a varied performance takes place — songs, recitations, an occasional farce, and a few words of advice, admonition, or encouragement from the leader of the class. The chairman of the meeting is elected by the boys, as also are the Secretary, Treasurer, and door-keepers. Mr. Groom, when he is present, is always elected as leader. The small dues of the class, usually about six cents, are collected weekly. In connection with the classes too are penny banks, and lending libraries. A remarkable work has been carried on by some of the bigger boys, who were formerly leaders in mischief and outrage among the vicious "larrikins" who nightly haunt the streets of the Aus- tralian cities, and cause sore perplexity to those who study social problems in those colonies. A few of these reclaimed " hoodlums" sally forth together on Saturday nights, go from one saloon to another, and if they see boys drinking there, bid them come out and join them. The boys instinctively obey their former leaders, meekly follow them, and are brought within the circle of influence of the Excelsior Classes.

From Melbourne the movement has already spread to Sydney. A young clerk in one of the Government offices of New South Wales, whilst on a visit to Melbourne, heard of Mr. Groom's work, and was so deeply impressed by what he saw of it that he determined to devote his evenings to a similar work in his own city. An admirable class is now organized in the midst of a very poor district.

It was at Sydney that I first came into contact with the work. I well remember the striking character of the scene. Passing between two vigi- lant boy door-keepers, I entered a large, bare schoolroom, lighted with flam- ing gas-jets. More than a hundred boys of all sorts and sizes — many ragged and with bare feet, were sitting, absolutely quiet and orderly, with eager, intelligent faces, listening to a few words from their elected leader or " Critic," as he is here styled, the Government clerk whom I have men- tioned. The Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, each adorned with a broad crimson scarf, as of some knightly order, were at their posts. Then the entertainment began, consisting almost entirely of recitations and songs, chosen by the boys themselves. No trace of anything coarse or low appeared ;

11] Sociological Notes. 3

the tendency, oddly enough, was to pieces of a profoundly melancholy and sentimental order. The choruses of the more lively songs were taken up by the whole body of boys with an energy which seemed almost great enough to break the windows and blow off the roof. But throughout the meeting the order and discipline maintained for themselves by these rough street boys was simply perfect. After the entertainment was over, the Treasurer collected the weekly dues, and then the business of a Penny Bank was transacted. I left the meeting, feeling that I had seen the finest sight in all Australia.

Some weeks later I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Groom himself at his little house near Melbourne. At this time he was in a very shattered state of health, and only just recovering from the effects of a terrible rail- road accident. He had been compelled for six months to withdraw entirely from the supervision of the Excelsior Classes, but he was still able to attend to a deeply interesting branch of his work at home — the rescue of boys of the most depraved and degraded class, whom he had found lying about the wharves at night, or had intercepted on their discharge from prison.

He showed me in his back garden a low, long barrack of six little cham- bers, separated from each other by solid walls, so that no communication should be possible by night among the inmates. Each room was simply but prettily furnished : on the wall hung an illuminated and framed copy of the Lord's Prayer ; and in another frame a stanza of some hymn or poem, intended to meet the special need of the occupant of the room. During the day the boys are sent to the public school — the rest of their time is filled up with work of various kinds — carpentry, digging, gardening, and household duties. They take their meals with Mr. and Mrs. Groom, and thus learn decent manners at table. Mr. Groom has gone with great care and thor- oughness into the subject of the various forms of vice to which these poor boys are specially prone, and uses every effort to ascertain and apply the surest and most appropriate remedies and preventives. When the boys have been thoroughly reclaimed, they are drafted off to places in the country. The demand for the boys is far greater than Mr. Groom can supply.

This is a department of his work which Mr. Groom guards with the great- est care from ostentatious publicity, rightly deeming that the subject is far too grave and awful to be made a matter of advertising and promiscuous patronage. The necessary funds are, I believe, supplied by a few attached friends, and by a single large business firm. It is by no means easy — experto credite — for others to obtain the privilege of contributing to the work.

It was exceedingly interesting to observe the effect upon the Excelsior Classes of Mr. Groom's disablement. Four or five of the classes, it must be confessed, had at the time of my visit lapsed into a state of suspended ani- mation, although there was every reason to hope that they would revive at Mr. Groom's touch. One class which I visited was still in operation, but it was evidently on the point of breaking down. The temporary leader, a good and really heroic young fellow, was evidently not quite fitted for his

4 Sociological Notes. [12

post. On the evening of my visit the meeting was a very large one, and a number of turbulent youths had made their way in. The leader, as I could tell from my former scholastic experience, was at fault in every appeal which he made to the audience, and naturally excited some derision. How- ever, the performance was creditably gone through, in spite of some inter- ruptions. I was struck by the genuine courtesy of the boys, who, although I was the only visitor present in the unruly assembly, never by word or act made my position in the slightest degree uncomfortable, although consider- able ingenuity was shewn in worrying their " leader." I was not surprised to learn that the subsequent meeting broke up in confusion, and the class was suspended.

In the next class which I visited, all was cheering and hopeful. About a hundred boys, with many of their friends and relations, were present in a cheerful, well-lighted schoolroom. An admirable entertainment was pro- vided— songs, recitations, a short farce, and, if I remember rightly, some gymnastic exercises. A few wholesome words were addressed to the boys by their elected leader, a young, fresh-looking boy, who is employed as a clerk in a business house. Although the class had for six months been deprived of Mr. Groom's supervision, the order and discipline of the meeting left nothing to be desired — the genial "bonhomie" and courtesy of the boys deeply impressed me. I remained for some time after the meeting, talking with the boys, and examining their library and savings bank : my favorable impression was continually deepened. Here, I thought, was a sight even grander than I had witnessed in Sydney, as proving what democratic gov- ernment, free from all suspicion of being qualified, may do amongst boys.

Some further details of this interesting work may be derived from " The Excelsior " — a monthly paper which was, and not improbably is still, pub- lished for the classes. Mr. Groom himself is always pleased to communi- cate with persons who are genuinely and practically interested in this and similar work. Address W. Groom, care of Edw. a Beckett, Brighton, Mel- bourne, Australia.

HOME RULE IN EAST LONDON.

A year or two ago " Home Eule " was introduced in the government of a club of rough Irish boys in the east end of London, with eminently satis- factory results, whereas the previous attempts at autocratic government had resulted in dismal failure. The boys elected their own Chairman, Secre- tary, and " chuckers-out," who promptly expelled disorderly members. The experiment is detailed, if I remember rightly, in one of the numbers of " Eastward Ho !" a monthly London magazine, during the year 1886. But full particulars could doubtless be obtained from T. H. Nunn, or any other of the older residents at Toynbee Hall. Whitechapel, London, E.

13] Sociological Notes.

RECOLLECTIONS OF WORK AMONGST THE POOR OF LONDON.*

Six years of work in a West Indian College had necessitated a long period of rest, and for a year after ray return to London I did little else than become thoroughly acquainted with the topography and antiquities of that city. After this, I began to look out out for a sphere of work which would not involve late hours or much confinement in doors. About this time the needs of East London were attracting much public attention. I took an opportunity of spending a day or two with the Rector of one of the best- managed parishes in that district, and discussing matters with one of the most energetic mission clergy. Although neither of my friends exactly liked the Charity Organization Society, they agreed that some work in con- nection therewith would probably best meet my requirements. I was myself attracted to the Society both by its unpopularity, which appeared to be in a great measure due to its scientific methods, and by the fact that I had for years past acted in unconscious conformity with its principles. Accordingly, I devoted nearly a year to work with the committee of the West-End district in which I lived, attending the meetings almost daily, and hearing the dis- cussion of cases. This committee was famous for its close adherence to the abstract principles of political economy, as expounded by the laissez-faire school. Every case was admirably discussed, but the applicants for aid never appeared before the committee. The personal work was done by the paid agent. The "personnel" of the committee was impaired by the pres- ence of a few West-End loafers, who flattered themselves that they were active philanthropists, whilst in reality they did nothing but sit round the table and interrupt the serious discussion with their pointless comments. I believe that the experience gained in this committee was of real service in famil- iarizing me with principles and details, but at last I felt that I must come into contact, not with mere "cases," but with living men and women. I talked the matter over with Mr. Loch, the Chief Secretary of the Society, and he recommended me to join another committee, which was at work in the heart of the East End. I remember the thrill of interest which I felt when, at the first meeting which I attended, after the discus- sion of the case, the actual personages were ushered into the room — a mother and a little boy. The latter had been sent by the committee to a country home, and had behaved badly there. The chairman spoke a few words of reproof, the boy cried, and the mother promised that he should behave better in future. Similarly, as every case came up, the man, woman, or child appeared, and was questioned by the chairman or other members of the committee. I do not say that the methods of this committee

* Sanitary Aid. — Particulars in "Charity Organization Review" for circa January, 1886, under the title "Leavts from the Summer Diary of an East-End Almoner."

6 Sociological Notes. [14

in the matter just named, or in its frequent disregard in practice of the laissez-faire principle, were free from objection : but the contact with real flesh and blood at least heightened the dramatic interest of the work, and brought the workers themselves nearer to the facts.

Before long, I was requested to become an Almoner of the Society for the Relief of Distress — a small association which directly administers relief in tolerably close co-operation with the Charity Organization So- ciety. A small district of about 600 houses, with a population of 4,500, was allotted to me, and I was instructed to work in harmony with all existing agencies, and to become as far as possible acquainted with the inhabitants. The district contained two very bad streets, and two streets inhabited chiefly by fairly well-to-do people — shopkeepers, business men, parish officials, and others. The remaining ten or twelve streets consisted of small houses occu- pied by two or more families of the decent laboring class. The only person of leisure and independent means was a clergyman of culture and refine- ment, who had retired from active duty, and had chosen East London as a place of residence, which he found more agreeable than any other. He had taken a house on one of the main thoroughfares, had furnished it with exquisite taste, and had surrounded himself with beautiful objects — books, pictures, and curiosities. He lived in great comfort, kept open house for workers among the poor, was always ready to take clerical duty for an over- worked brother-clergyman, started a reading-club at his house for the study and discussion of the most remarkable new books, served as a Poor-Law Guardian for the district, was Chairman of the local Charity Organization Committee, and in every way performed the part of a good citizen. Thus, whilst he strenuously maintained that he was simply pursuing his own gratification, he really performed better and sounder work for his fellow- men than many an individual and Association which is kept more before the eyes of the world.

Another unpretending worker, outside the limits of my own district, may be here mentioned. A young Oxford graduate in theological honors had determined to devote himself to the study of medicine at the London Hos- pital. In order to be near his work, he bought a picturesque little old house on Stepney Green, put it into perfect sanitary condition — he used to exhibit to visitors, with honest pride, his beautiful system of drainage— and made it beautiful within. Then his charming old mother came to keep house for him, and the house became a centre of genial and graceful hospitality. My friend threw himself with great ardor into the work of Sanitary Aid — an Association for the purpose of enforcing the sanitary laws of the metropolis had recently been formed — and I became infected with a portion of his zeal. AVe used to sally forth into some of the neighboring streets, and per- form a little amateur inspection of nuisances there : then, when I had become acquainted with the details of the work, I determined to apply my recently acquired knowledge within my own district.

The time was favorable ; the hot summer weather was coming on, and an

15] Sociological Notes. 7

epidemic of small-pox was advancing across the continent, and threatening England, so that the poor people were alive to the danger of insanitary conditions, and ready to welcome any advice in the matter. I had already become acquainted with the church workers of my district, and I learned that the Scripture Reader, an interesting old gentleman who had been long working there, was anxious to make a fresh and complete list of the inhab- itants. He readily agreed to allow me to accompany him in his rounds, and our work lasted for three or four afternoons in every week during the entire summer. As we came to each house, the old gentleman knocked at the door, took down the names of the inmates, and gently turned the con- versation to the subject of drains. He quickly received permission to pass through the house into the back yard, and I followed him. Then my work began. I carefully tested the points where inspection was necessary, in spite of the odors, which were in some cases remarkably full-bodied ; and if there was any sanitary defect, I requested the tenant to point it out to the landlord when he made his next weekly call for the rent. The tenant would promise to do so. I called again next week, heard what the landlord had said or done, and, if the defect was not remedied, I called week after week with fresh suggestions, until something was done, or until it became evident that the landlord was absolutely recalcitrant. In the latter case I brought the matter under the notice of the District Inspector of Nuisances — a legal order was served, the landlord quickly came to his senses, and the nuisance was abated. In this manner, after three or four months every house had been visited, a tolerably intimate knowledge of the district and its inhabitants had been acquired, and almost all the glaring sanitary defects had been remedied. Apart from the occasional physical discomfort, the work was exceedingly pleasant and interesting ; the people were courteous and kindly ; even in the very worst streets, no one ever asked for alms ; a practical knowledge was acquired as to " how the poor live," and much valuable material was accumulated for future Charity Organization work. Many a pleasant friendship was formed on the basis of common hostility to an evil odor; and the natural and pleasing relations thus formed were intensified by the common enjoyment of a day's parochial excursion to the sea-side.

THE MANSION HOUSE FUND.*

The winter came, and with it a cry in some parts of London of " want of employment," " exceptional distress," and the like. In an evil hour, the Lord Mayor assented to the establishment of a "Mansion House Fund," for the relief of the unemployed. Money came in quickly at first, then the

*The Mansion House Fund.— See "Report of the Committee on Exceptional Distress," published for the London C. O. S. by Messrs. Cassell ; price Gd.— an exceedingly valuable document.

8 Sociological Notes. [16

supply slackened. A mob of self-styled unemployed assembled in Trafalgar Square. The criminal classes profited by the occasion, created a small riot, and broke windows in the West End. Then the money poured in to the Mansion House Fund by floods. The public clamored for the immediate distribution of the relief; no organizations adequate to the task existed ; committees were hastily formed — some good, many bad and indifferent. In some parts of London the Almoners, with charming impartiality, would go through a street, leaving half-a-crown at every house. The offices of the relief-committees were besieged by angry crowds, demanding relief as a right. Policemen had to be posted outside the doors. After two or three days of service as Chairman of an East-End Committee, one of our workers broke down completely, and had to take to his bed. I had been feeling unwell and overstrained before the administration of the fund burst upon us, so I at once took a few days' holiday by the sea-side, and then returned to work. I declined however to undertake more than the actual visiting and distribution of relief, and that chiefly in another Almoner's district. I well remember my first vis-it to the committee-room. A gentleman from the West-End, whom I had known for some time as a quiet, if not sluggish member of our Charity Organization Committee, had been appointed Chair- man of the local Mansion House Fund Relief Committee, and under the stress of circumstances had disclosed remarkable administrative ability. Here I found him, assisted by an admirable lady-worker, calmly and rap- idly transacting the business of the office, serene and unmoved amidst the interruptions of weeping women and blasphemous men. I used to attend the office daily, in order to receive instructions, visit the homes of appli- cants, and distribute tickets for food. My duties took me into some of the worst parts of East London. No inconvenience was experienced. Every one was civil enough, but I felt oppressed by the hopelessness and useless- ness of the task. Especially saddening was it to visit houses in my own district, and to observe how the mere fact of my being a bearer of relief altered the relations of the more destitute people towards me. I could no longer meet them in frank and natural intercourse : their whole attitude was changed for the worse ; it had become reserved and cringing; the moral fibre had become relaxed. I will pass lightly over those evil days. The sums which were placed at my own discretion as Almoner, I endeavored to disburse in large amounts to most carefully investigated and selected cases — in this way, I judged, the least evil would result. A month after the fund had come to an end, I made a rigorous enquiry into its results within my district, visiting every person who had received relief, and closely ques- tioning the shopkeepers on whom orders for food had been issued. It must be remembered that in this part of the East-End the Relief Committee had been unusually strict and careful. The conclusions at which 1 arrived were, that out of about 100 cases relieved, only about five or six cases of positive abuse of the charity had occurred. In about one-third of the cases relieved some material good seemed to have been done : in the remainder, the con-

17] Sociological Notes. 9

dition of the people was worse, or no better, than when the fund was started. And alas! who can estimate the moral harm which the mere application for relief involves ? It is said, and I believe with entire correctness, that when any one brings himself to ask for alms, he is never the same man again.

In the extremely carefully chosen cases where material relief was given in the ordinary course of the work of our Charity Organization Committee, I often saw this process of moral degradation going on.

Yet the incidental advantages of the Mansion House Fund must not be overlooked. These were, the accumulation of a mass of information con- cerning pauper families ; the enrolment of fresh workers among the poor ; the introduction into the Relief Committees of working men, who from actual experience became convinced of the soundness of the principles on which organized charity is based ; and the increased co-operation which resulted between the clergy and the Charity Organization Society.

During the succeeding summer, I worked hard to organize within my district a local Relief Committee which should include the agents of the various religious bodies, and several picked working men. A body would then exist which, in the event of the calamity of another Mansion House Fund, could at once take up the work, and could at all times serve as a Board of Reference, to deal with cases of distress within the district. A con- siderable advance had been made in this direction — the various church- workers had arranged to furnish weekly lists of the relief-tickets distributed by them, and there was a good prospect of their distributing all relief in future only upon the advice of the committee. The difficulties between "Church" and "Dissent" were being smoothed over; the working-men were chosen. But before the committee was fully organized, the strain imposed by the work of that last terrible winter began to manifest its after- effects. Clearly I must discontinue the work for awhile. In the midst of my perplexity and difficulty, an unexpected communication from New Zealand directed my course thither ; and so, under the auspices of my dear and honored kinsman, Sir George Grey, I was able to observe the political and social development of the Anglo-Saxon race, both there and in Aus- tralia, under brighter and happier conditions than those which prevail in England. An extended survey of the great American republic has formed a grand and fitting climax, affording manifold interest for the present, and inspiring hopefulness for the future.

VAGRANT ALMSGIVEBS.

Next to the Mansion House Fund, the most fruitful source of moral injury to the poor lay, as far as my experience went, in the doings of " Vagrant Almsgivers." I have heard of a whole court in a poor district, where long and partially successful efforts to raise the condition of the inhabitants had been made by lady rent-collectors, being thrown back into a state of squalor

10 Sociological Notes. [18

and destitution through the action of a single stranger, a "charitable" lady who had found out the place in the course of some "slumming" expeditions, and had distributed shillings broadcast. The inhabitants soon learned that rags and filth were the conditions which would attract this kind of alms- giving, and they hastened to qualify themselves for the receipt of aid.

Two instances, which may perhaps possess some interest, came under my own notice.

In the course of my sanitary visiting I found a boy lying on a dirty bed, slowly dying from the effects of terrible sores and ulcers. A nurse from one of the local missions used to attend him as frequently as she could, but her visits were discouraged by the boy's sister, a sulky-looking girl with a baby. The father, a rather bluff, jovial-looking man, was civil enough when I called ; he gave me to understand that he was too poor to provide better for the boy — that the nurse was violent in temper and meddlesome — that no one else took an interest in his case. I began to make enquiries with a view to sending the boy to a sea-side home ; but as my investigations went on, the case began to assume a dark complexion. I came across four or five different people who were giving assistance, each of whom believed that he or she was the only person who knew of it. It appeared that the father was making a very fair income ; that terribly grave stories were told about his moral character ; that the boy was purposely kept in a miserable and filthy condition in order to attract alms ; and so forth. I at last became convinced that strong measures were required ; and I had just begun to make arrangements with the District Medical Officer and others to have the house visited, the boy sent to the Parish Infirmary, and the father prosecuted, when I heard that the boy had been suddenly removed.

A good bishop was preaching in the neighboring church — not, however, in the same parish. The rector took the bishop to see the boy, saying that the case was a pitiable one, and entirely unassisted from any source. The bishop immediately had the boy removed to a home for sick children, where he soon died. In a sense, the matter ended in the happiest way ; yet it was clear that justice was, not done, and that the father's responsibility should have been practically brought home to him. Immediately after hearing of the boy's removal I posted off to the house of the bishop (fighting my way for a mile or so against a snow storm, as I remember) who expressed great surprise on hearing that the case was known to any one besides himself and the clergyman who had informed him.

Another exemplification of the trouble which may be caused by the inter- vention of inadequately-informed persons was the following. Application for aid had been made to our Charity Organization Committee by a man living in the worst street within my district. It was ascertained that the man bore a bad character with the police ; that he had been in prison for cruelty to his wife, and so forth. It seemed clear to the Committee that the case was not a suitable one for the relief requested (a loan to purchase

19] Sociological Notes. 11

stock), and the application was dismissed. I had visited the house, and thought that the man looked like a remarkably "tough customer."

A week or two later, a daily London newspaper, anxious to get up a fresh sensation, appointed a " special commissioner" to visit East London and paint in lurid colors the sufferings of the " unemployed." He happened to honor my district with a visit, and discovered my murderous-looking ac- quaintance, who detailed to him the cruel treatment which he had received from the Charity Organization Society. The Commissioner swallowed the whole story, and a harrowing tale appeared next day in the newspaper. Sympathy was immediately aroused — twenty pounds or more reached the Commissioner for the benefit of the poor persecuted man ; elegant carriages drove up to the man's house, and gushing old women of both sexes left half- crowns and half-sovereigns there. A week or two afterwards the District Visitor mentioned to me that she had been to see the man's wife, and had seen the man himself; that he had put on a melancholy face, and had hinted broadly that a food-ticket would be acceptable; that when she asked whether he had purchased stock with the money he had received, he answered no — that the amount had not been large — that there had been rent to pay, &c., &c. It seemed to be clear enough that the man had had a grand time for about a fortnight, and that within that period the public houses had profited to the extent of twenty or thirty pounds.

THE DENISON

The origin of the Denison Club may be traced to some informal gather- ings which took place on one evening in the week in the Council Chamber of the Charity Organization Society. Here a small body of men, consisting chiefly of the paid workers of the Society, and a few volunteer workers, used to assemble for general conversation and incidental discussion of social questions. After a time, we began to meet at dinner in a neighboring hotel, and had a general talk afterwards. When Toynbee Hall was estab- lished, we arranged to meet there once a week, dine, and have a regular discussion afterwards. But it was found that the comparative remoteness of Toynbee Hall, and other causes, tended to make this arrangement unde- sirable, and within a year it was thought best that we should have quarters of our own. A room was accordingly taken in the upper part of the house where the Charity Organization Society has its central office : it was agreed that ladies should be admitted as members of the Club, and meetings were held weekly, in which a paper was read, followed by discussion. Some social subject was always chosen. The Club has flourished and increased, and new and larger quarters in the same house have been taken. The Club aims at securing pleasant intercourse amongst persons interested in social questions, and at affording opportunities for exhaustive discussion of such questions. Persons from abroad who have like interests have been wel-

12 Sociological Notes. [20

corned, and have contributed much valuable matter at the meetings. Many masters of their special subjects have read papers, or have taken part in the talks. The name "Denison" was chosen to perpetuate the memory of Edward Denison, M. P., the wise and far-seeing pioneer of sound personal work among the poor of East London.

Particulars concerning the Club may no doubt be obtained from the Sec- retary, E. C. Price, 15 Buckingham St., Strand, London, W. C.

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FORM NO. DD6 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY 50M 5-03 Berkeley, California 94720-6000

GENERAL LIBRARY - U.C. BERKELEY

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