DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

( 42 ) less. But during this century many noble men and women have continued the philanthropic exertions of their predecessors, under more favourable con- ditions, and consequently with greater results. The work of providing better houses for the poor was initiated by Mr. Peabody, who devoted a portion of his great wealth to the erection of artisans’ dwellings—a work for which, by an Act of Parlia- ment of last year, the local authorities are now responsible. The good accomplished by the late Earl of Shaftesbury by the Ragged Schools Movement, by the unselfish and untiring application of his abilities to the general improvement of the lot of the working classes; the labours of Mrs. Fry in reclaiming prisoners at a time when they were treated as out- casts, leading the way to the formation of the Prisoners’ Aid Society, which has branches all over the kingdom ; the kindred labours of John Howard in obtaining better treatment for the inmates of our gaols ; the progress of the Temperance movement, originated by John Livesey in 1832 ;—the success of all these movements was due to the growing force of public opinion, which at the same time was trained and developed to its present proportions by being exercised in their behalf. The expansion of charitable institutions has kept pace also with the growth of public opinion. Of course, many seemingly charitable acts have their