X. The Land of Pestilence XI. The White Ants of Indian Society (a) The Drunkard (b) The Opium Slave (c) The Prostitute XII. The Criminals XIII. On the Border Land XIV. Elements of Hope PART II. THE WAY OUT. I. The Essentials to success II. What is General Booth's scheme? III. The City Colony IV. The Labour Bureau V. Food for all--the Food Depôts VI. Work for all, or the Labour Yard VII. Shelter for all, or the Housing of the Destitute VIII. The Beggars Brigade IX. The Prison Gate Brigade X. The Drunkards Brigade XI. The Rescue Homes for the Fallen XII. "The Country Colony"--"Wasteward ho!" XIII. The Suburban Farm The Dairy The Market Garden XIV. The Industrial Village XV. The Social Territory, or Poor Man's Paradise XVI. The Social City of Refuge XVII. Supplementary Branches of the Country Colony Public Works Off to the Tea Gardens Land along the Railways Improved methods of Agriculture XVIII. The Over-sea Colony XIX. Miscellaneous Agencies The Intelligence Department The Poor Man's Lawyer The Inquiry Office for missing Friends The Matrimonial Bureau The Emigration Bureau Periodical Melas XX. How much will it Cost? XXI. A Practical conclusion PART I.--IN DARKEST INDIA. CHAPTER I. WHY "DARKEST INDIA?" It is unnecessary for me to recapitulate the parallel drawn by General Booth between the sombre, impenetrable and never-ending forest, discovered by Stanley in the heart of Africa, and the more fearfully tangled mass of human corruption to be found in England. Neither the existence, nor the extent, of the latter have been called in question, and in reckoning the submerged at one tenth of the entire population it is generally admitted that their numbers have been understated rather than otherwise. Supposing that a similar percentage be allowed for India, we are face to face with the awful fact that the "submerged tenth" consists of no less than _twenty-six millions of human beings_, who are in a state of destitution bordering upon absolute starvation! No less an authority than Sir William Hunter has estimated their numbers at fifty millions, and practically his testimony remains unimpeached. Indeed I have heard it confidently stated by those who are in a good position to form a judgement, that at least one hundred millions of the population of India scarcely ever know from year's end to year's end what it is to have a satisfying meal, and that it is the rule and not the exception for them to retire to rest night after night hungry and faint for want of sufficient and suitable food.