An inquiry into the moral, social, and intellectual condition of the industrious classes of Sheffield. Part I, The abuses and evils of charity, especially of medical charitable institutions / [by G.C. Holland].

  • Holland, G. C. (George Calvert), 1801-1865.
Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the moral, social, and intellectual condition of the industrious classes of Sheffield. Part I, The abuses and evils of charity, especially of medical charitable institutions / [by G.C. Holland]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    homes; which, in many cases are exceedingly com- fortable, the houses being clean and well fur- nished. Our duty called us to a few, which had good beds with curtains, clocks in mahogany cases, and other articles to correspond with a condition of life very far indeed from destitution. Such appearances are pleasing, but never so in connection with the habits of dependence on charity. The means which allow of such comforts should inspire a better, and a nobler feeling. Dispensary patients, generally, are less respectably dressed than those of the Infirmary, and the former Institution presents fewer instances of gross impo- sition. It has nevertheless an ample share: we are often surprised at the well-dressed appearance of many of the patients; some are as neatly and com- fortably attired as the middle classes of society; the severity and vicissitudes of this season of the year being duly provided against, in a tasteful man- ner, and at an expense indicating any thing but poverty and distress. To give an instance—a child six years of age, accompanied by its mother, came dressed in a silk pelisse, trowsers with a frill round the ankle, a fur round the neck, a cap with a neat and elegant border, and a bonnet of the same ma- terial as the pelisse: the family consisted of two