Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/195

Rh fell into the background; whilst in the foreground, newer and more thoroughly comprehensive labors for the health of towns, for the improvement of the dwellings and workshops of the poor; Savings' Banks, and Societies, the members of which could provide and insure for themselves, an improvement in circumstances with others, which plans belonged to health and an ameliorated worldly condition.

In the first chapter England stood foremost; in the second, it seemed to me that France, and especially Alsace, set a great and beautiful example. Most highly interesting to me, were the accounts of the working towns round Mulhausen, as well as the institutions established by many great manufacturers for their working people. Among these, one in Lisle was remarkable. The so-called “Associations Alimentaires,” which, commencing in Grenoble in France, have spread themselves through the towns, both of Switzerland and Holland, seem to be in the highest degree important, as well for the wholesome nourishment with which it supplies the poor, as in teaching them the advantage of union amongst men. Little Holland seemed to me rich in such seed for the future, whilst Italy boasted principally of her establishments for the care of the poor. Nor was Poland behindhand in labors for the good of the people, and proved—like her latest, noble poet—that the politically unenfranchised people, may yet, if they will, take a noble place in the development of the moral freedom of humanity.

The highest importance of a Congress like the present, ought to be the initiative which it gives to