Mr. Snow rose and acknowledged that it was a long time since he had entered Mr. Buffum’s establishment.

“I thought so.  He has listened to the voice of rumor.  Very well.  I have to say that I have been there recently, and have walked through the establishment.  I should do injustice to myself, and fail to hint to the reverend gentleman, and all those who sympathize with him, what I regard as one of their neglected duties, if I should omit to mention that I did not go empty-handed. [Loud cheers.] It is easy for those who neglect their own duties to suspect that others do the same.  I know our paupers are not supported in luxury.  We cannot afford to support them in luxury; but I wash my hands of all responsibility for inhumanity and inattention to their reasonable wants.  The reverend gentleman himself knows, I think, whether any man ever came to me for assistance on behalf of any humane or religious object, and went away without aid, I cannot consent to be placed in a position that reflects upon my benevolence, and, least of all, by the reverend gentleman who has reflected upon that administration of public charity which has had, and still retains, my approval.  I therefore move that the usual sum be appropriated for the support of the poor, and that at the close of this meeting the care of the poor for the ensuing year be disposed of at public auction to the lowest bidder.”

Mr. Snow was silent, for he knew that he was impotent.

Then there jumped up a little man with tumbled hair, weazened face, and the general look of a broken-down gentleman, who was recognized by the moderator as “Dr. Radcliffe.”

“Mr. Moderator,” said he, in a screaming voice, “as I am the medical attendant and inspector of our pauper establishment, it becomes proper for me, in seconding the motion of Mr. Belcher, as I heartily do, to say a few words, and submit my report for the past year.”

Dr. Radcliffe was armed with a large document, and the assembled voters of Sevenoaks were getting tired.

“I move,” said Mr. Belcher, “that, as the hour is late, the reading of the report be dispensed with.”  The motion was seconded, and carried nem. con.

The Doctor was wounded in a sensitive spot, and was determined not to be put down.

“I may at least say,” he went on, “that I have made some discoveries during the past year that ought to be in the possession of the scientific world.  It takes less food to support a pauper than it does any other man, and I believe the reason is that he hasn’t any mind.  If I take two potatoes, one goes to the elaboration of mental processes, the other to the support of the physical economy.  The pauper has only a physical economy, and he needs but one potato.  Anemia is the normal condition of the pauper.  He breathes comfortably an atmosphere which would give a healthy man asphyxia.  Hearty food produces inflammatory diseases and a general condition of hypertrophy.  The character of the diseases at the poor-house, during the past year, has been typhoid.  I have suggested to Mr. Buffum better ventilation, a change from farinaceous to nitrogenous food as conducive to a better condition of the mucous surfaces and a more perfect oxydation of the vital fluids.  Mr. Buffum—­”