“My first view as to the possible economy of funerals, was derived from seeing that parish bearers were often made use of. The present charge for bearers for mechanics is 12_s._ for the adults, or 3_s._ per bearer. I was asking one of the parish bearers what he was allowed, as the charge was included in the burial dues, which were 1_l._ 5_s._ 6_d._ He told me they were paid 6_d._ per bearer, or 2_s._ the set. He told me that they had borne six to the grave that morning, and he had earned 3_s._ himself. This at the usual charge would have been 3_l._ 12_s._; but properly provided bearers at the cemetery might reduce the charges still further, perhaps to 3_d._ each case.” § 121. Before submitting for consideration any detailed arrangements for securing, in a manner satisfactory to the people, better funerals at less oppressive charges, it is necessary to premise, that there appear to be no grounds to expect the extensive spontaneous adoption of improved regulations by the labouring classes without aid _ab extra_. The labour of communicating information to them, to be attended to at the time it is wanted, would be immense. Their sources of information on the occurrence of such events are either poor neighbours, as ignorant as themselves, or persons who are interested in misleading them and profiting by their ignorance, to continue expensive and mischievous practices. As against such an evil as the undue retention of the bodies amidst the living the usual mode of effecting a change would be simply by a prohibitory ordinance, § 91, of which information would be conveyed practically by the enforcement of penalties for disobedience of the law, which it is assumed they know. The appointment of a responsible agency, which would be respected, to convey the information of what may be deemed requisite for the protection of the living and exercise influence to initiate a change of practice, appears to all the practical witnesses examined, § 102, to be a preferable course, as being the most suitable to the temper of the people, and as being the least expensive, as well as the most efficient. The very desolate and unprotected condition of the survivors of the poorest classes, on the occurrence of a death in large towns, appears to render some intervention for their guidance and protection at that moment peculiarly requisite, as a simple act of beneficence. Mr. Wild was asked—