We observe with very great regret that the National Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is not receiving at all the same pecuniary support this year that it received last. In June, 1892, it received £3,676 lls. lid., against only £1,8115s. 5d. in June, 1893. Even taking the whole quarter between April and June, the loss of income was over £500; but the worst symptom is that May was worse than April, and June worse than May, so that the falling-off is progres- sive. This looks like a failure of public interest in the Society; and such a Society cannot do its proper work if it is to be only capriciously supported. If it is to depend on con- stantly repeated efforts to get up the steam by agitation and oratorical addresses, half the energy which should be devoted to the administrative work of the Society in preventing cruelty will be expended on stimulating the public sentiment,—neither so useful a task nor one entirely consistent with that sane and sober and prudent spirit by which the confidence of the public has been gained for the work performed. What is wanted is not spurts of eager sympathy from time to time, but steady and deliberate sacrifice for one of the most arduous and delicate of the benevolent enterprises of our generation.
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