Besides, the whole manner of dealing with the undeserving
poor is notoriously defective. For them there should be a
great deal more of detention exercised. Here is an example
of how the present system of too excessive liberty is abused.
A woman openly living a notoriously evil life has three
children, all less than eight years of age, under her care.
Half her time is spent in the workhouse. She takes the chil-
dren in and out, as she has done for the last five or six years.
For a fortnight or three weeks or a month the children will be
in the workhouse, and will attend its school. The mother one
morning suddenly demands her release and theirs, and goes
off at her own sweet will for four months, living the old life in
her old haunts. Then suddenly she determines to go into the
workhouse again. She brings the children back with her, and
asks admission for herself and them, admission which cannot
be refused. She stays a month or two, and then disappears
until it graciously pleases her to return. Her whole family has



WITH REGARD TO POPULATION 123

been for two generations back as degraded as she is now.
