_The Defects of Individual Guardianship._--As time goes on it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain suitable guardians for children of the lower classes. Owing to the increasing frequency of migration, owing to the search for work and means of livelihood, and owing to the development of the means of communication, the wider family ties have been loosened and in part entirely destroyed. Since it is only in the case of propertied wards that the guardian receives any remuneration, the guardianship of a ward without means is a purely honorary office. But we cannot rely upon finding a self-sacrificing disposition in the relatives of a proletarian child. If a man of a higher class than that to which the child belongs be appointed, he will be afraid lest he should have to put his hand in his own pocket. If a man of a lower class be appointed, the child will not regard him with the necessary respect. In small communities, where the circumstances are simple, where the number of births and deaths is small, where everyone knows everyone else, and where the guardian is under the control of everybody, the difficulties are not so great. But in large towns the population is in a state of continual flux, a large proportion has immigrated from the country districts, and has neither relatives nor acquaintances in the towns, and the Boards of Guardianship are unlikely to know anyone suitable for the position of guardian. In large towns, persons living under the same roof may be utter strangers, not knowing one another’s name nor even one another’s general appearance. Since the appointment as guardian is one which as a rule cannot be refused, it is easy to understand the manner in which one who has been appointed guardian against his will is likely to neglect his duties. As the legal representative of the child, the guardian has frequent dealing with the local authorities. Since the ward can make claims upon the Destitution Authority, his domicile must be established, for which purpose it may be necessary to pay a visit to the locality in question, &c.