HOW TO HELP CASES OF DISTRESS

PRINTED BY SPOTTIS WOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE

LONDON

Ĉ
LONDON
CHARITY ORGANISATION SOCIETY, 15 BUCKINGHAM STREET, STRAND, W.C.

AND

LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW

1871.

PREFACE.

THIS book is a reprint of the Introduction to the 'Charities Register and Digest,' the third edition of which has just been published. In the Register, of which on page cciii. at the end of this volume there is a Table of Contents, will be found very complete information in regard to Charitable Institutions available for the metropolis. In an Appendix attached to it are given particulars in regard to Provident, Friendly, and Trade Societies, and Savings Banks.

In this, the Introduction, the attempt is made to furnish such general information as a person desirous of assisting those in distress would wish to have at hand. Many are ignorant of the powers and functions of our public authorities in the administration of relief, and pay but little heed to the large and complicated machinery which the community has from time to time created for that purpose. To them an account of the duties and responsibilities of such authorities, and of the machinery at their disposal, may be of service. Many, on the other hand, who are more or less skilled in the administration of relief may find a short book of reference, which is written from their own point of view, and deals only