3. On the continent vagrants and mendicants as found in the colonies and in the compulsory workhouses are very noticeably different from our typical tramp or vagrant, in that the European tramp in prison is much older than our typical youthful or young adult wanderer. In Merxplas and in Veenhuizen the young tramp was a rarity. Perhaps ninety-five per cent. of the population of the colonies was at least forty-five years old. The population of the several compulsory workhouses visited in Prussia averaged somewhat younger, but nevertheless was considerably older than the average age of our tramp army. Added to this was the fact, everywhere observable, that the great majority of the tramps and vagrants possessed a trade. They could accomplish at least moderate results with their hands and they seemed to wish to do satisfactory work to a reasonable extent. As illustrations I cite the tailoring department, the shoe making department and the trunk department at Merxplas, and the weaving and the carpentry work at Veenhuizen. The great majority of the vagrants and the beggars who are segregated in Holland, Belgium and Germany are men who know how to do things with their hands and heads sufficiently well to earn a living, but who are either physically or mentally so under par that they cannot work hard enough, or will not save money enough, to render them permanently self supporting. Hence they gravitate, generally without marked criminal instincts or intentions, into vagabondage or vagrancy, are arrested, and sent or returned to the beggar colony. In these colonies, under a control which they are not adverse to, and with a shifting of responsibility which they are glad of, they produce a moderate amount of product with a moderate amount of pleasure in their work. The directors of the colonies and other representatives of the departments of justice claim that the men are happier in the colonies and are better off by far than they would be outside.