ABSTRACT
The beginning of the 19th century saw a remarkable development of private benevolence throughout the country. Individuals and tiny groups were, in many different ways, trying to do something to decrease the mass of misery which suddenly seemed to have become shameful and almost unnecessary. Without imagining any change in the structure of society they tried—as had Hannah and Martha More—to help a few children here—a few women there. They looked at the condition of the agricultural labourers and thought of plans for providing them with milk. They ran a village shop that sold honest goods at fair prices. They devised a new type of grate for cottages to economize fuel and diminish draughts; they taught six poor children to do straw plait, and fed and clothed them on the proceeds. Their activities were infinitely small, and yet in total they accomplished much.
