WORKHOUSE CHARACTERS.
[To THE Emma or THE " Sezoreroa."1 Sia,—Having visited a workhouse hospital for twenty-five years. I was much interested in your review of Mrs. Nevineon's book, Workhouse Characters, in your issue of August 3rd, but was mrprised that he found so much scepticism among the old women. My experience of them is that the majority possess a simple and unquestioning faith, and fully expect to be transferred :traight from their death-bed to the Heaven of their favourite hymns—white robe, golden crown, and all the rest of it. One of them, telling about a relative who had fallen down dead, said, wiping away a tear with the corner of the sheet: "Well, they do say 'Sudden death, sudden glory,' and I'm sure I 'ope it's true." Twenty years ago there was much avoidable suffering and misery in the wards, but since the advent of the women Guardians I have found the old people, with a few exceptions, fairly contented and happy, grateful to the nurses, and usually ready for a joke.—I am, Sir, &c., EDITH' H. HERBERT. 10 Burns Avenue, Nottingham.
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