The proceedings of the unemployed, referred to in the last Annual Report of the Council, led to much subsequent discussion. Drawn together as they were by various funds and by the expectation of public alms, they afforded an object lesson of the distress which was prevalent amongst the less capable part of the population. The miserable appearance of a large portion of them aroused, as was natural, great sympathy. It aroused also, in the minds of some, considerable apprehension as to the future condition of the industrial population of the country. It was clear, as was first suggested in a letter to the Times, written by the Secretary of the Council, that the problem of the 'unemployable' was even more serious than that of 'unemployed'. This is a problem that calls for preventive measures, and Mr. Loch's letters in the Times were followed by a series of special meetings of the Council, at which papers were read by competent authorities on such subjects as appreticeship, industrial partnership, agricultural employment, emigration, etc. These papers are being published in a volume, entitled 'Method of SOcial Advance' ... With regard to these processions it is true we have had nothing of the kind this winter. An Act of Parliament has been passed which will probably prevent their repetition. But the evil is still there, and it is perhaps, in some ways, good that the public should have been reminded of its existence, There has been much talk of 'exceptional' distress, but there is nothing really exceptional in temporary depression of trade, which will always have its fluctuations. The real truth is that this distress is chronic amongst us, and that it will continue to be so unless and until we adopt the right means for its prevention.