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ENGLISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT : ENGLISH POOR lAW HISTORY : PART I. THE OLD POOR LAW. By Sidney and Beatrice Webb. (Longmans. 21s.)—We must be content to signalize the appearance of another scholarly volume of Mr. and Mrs. Webb's invaluable history of English local government. Much has been written on the old poor law, but nothing so comprehensive, so well balanced, or so full of curious and instructive detail as this book The numerous experiments, wise or unwise, that were made between the Reformation and the Reform Bill attest the determination of King, Parliament and local authority to solve the grave problem of destitution. The early Stuarts perhaps succeeded best because they could enforce their orders by the help of the Star Chamber. The philanthropic eigh- teenth-century justices made many mistakes, but gradually evolved the principles on which the reformed Poor Law of 1834 was based. Among many queer facts we may cite the abuse of the laws against vagrancy. Irish and Scottish vag- rants, when found, could be sent home at the expense of the justices. Many of them were in the practice of getting free journeys, after which they would return to England and begin again. Moreover, the reward paid, for the apprehension of a vagrant was often, by arrangement, shared between him and the constable. Statutes are seemingly made only to be evaded by the bad citizen.
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