AUTHOR OF A MONOGRAPH UPON "THE TRAFFIC IN ITALIAN CHILDREN" WITH AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE BY THE RIGHT REVEREND THE BISHOP OF BEDFORD Methuen & Co. 18, BURY STREET, LONDON, W.C. 1892 [_All Rights reserved_] * * * * * RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, LONDON & BUNGAY. * * * * * TO The Right Honourable the Earl of Dunraven, K.G., THE LEADER OF THE MOVEMENT FOR PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE AGAINST THE INVASION OF THE DESTITUTE AND WORTHLESS OF OTHER LANDS, This Little Volume is Dedicated, IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT, AND MANY KINDNESSES. * * * * * AUTHOR'S PREFACE. My object in writing this little book has been to collect together in a popular and readable form the main facts connected with the question of destitute immigration. I have endeavoured to set forth as concisely as possible the evils consequent upon our present system, and to place before the public the leading arguments in favour of some moderate and judicious restriction of the influx of the destitute and worthless of other countries. In doing so, I have studiously avoided identifying this important question with any particular party, or any particular creed. It is a matter which concerns the nation as a whole, and it is one in which men of all creeds and parties--Jew or Christian, Liberal or Conservative--may unite together for good. The advisability of restricting our present system of unchecked destitute immigration is a matter upon which there exists considerable difference of opinion. In giving expression to my earnest convictions, I ask for that same indulgence which I willingly extend to those who may differ from my conclusions. W. H. WILKINS. 15B, ARLINGTON STREET, S.W. _January 1892._ INTRODUCTORY NOTE. I have been asked to write a short preface to a work in which the author proposes to afford the public information with respect to the immigration of destitute aliens into this country. He will discuss the evil incident to an immigration that is practically uncontrolled; and he will suggest the lines in which, in his opinion, remedial legislation should be promoted.