Of course there are always some who, having lost that fine edge of feeling to which this kind of relief is revolting, are not unwilling to live idly upon the rates as much and as long as possible at any time, and who will even descend to pitiful schemes to wring from this source whatever miserable income they can get.
There are some, even, with whom this state of mind seems almost hereditary; and these will not be slow to take advantage of the present state of affairs.

Such cases, however, are not numerous among the people of Lancashire.

It was a curious thing to see the different demeanours and appearances of the applicants--curious to hear the little stories of their different troubles.

There were three or four women whose husbands were away in the militia; others whose husbands had wandered away in search of work weeks ago, and had never been heard of, since.

There were a few very fine, intelligent countenances among them.