P. S.-F stands for fire, C for candle, P for provisions, O P for out-paupers, WH for workhouse, Mid, with a number affixed, for the sum charged for each midwifery case.

In the Bridge and River Unions, the medical officers are not paid a specified yearly sum for attending out-paupers, but so much per case; in the former Union 10s. per case; in the latter 4s. 6d. In the Elham Union 10s. only are paid for midwifery cases in Hythe and Folkestone; in the rest of the Union 15s.

Where no sum for midwifery appears, the contract is to be understood as including cases of this description, without additional charge.

In the Bridge and River Unions the totals do not show accurately the amount of salaries given, inasmuch as the medical officers not being paid specific yearly sums, but so much per case, it is impossible to note what salaries they will receive at the end of the year.

The East Ashford Union, at its formation, comprised 22 parishes only; the united population of which amounted to 9541, and the average payment for the maintenance of the poor, was taken at the sum of £8951.

In this Union we find a diversity of soils. The South Western extremity, skirting a part of Romney Marsh, consists of a heavy, tenacious clay; after which, as the hill commences, a limestone rock is found, with a tolerable depth, or thickness, of alluvium on its surface; which is much more friable and productive than that of the adjacent Weald. At the North Eastern point the chalk hills obtain for a considerable distance, and here a very inferior tract of country is observable. The area of this Union appears to be (extending from north to south) about 16 miles in length, measuring from Chilham to Hurst; whilst its breadth, viz., from Hastingleigh to Kennington, is only about seven miles,

This district of country is much diversified by hill and dale, pasture, arable land, and wood. There are no manufactories within it: and the whole Union does not contain a single township or parish with 2500 inhabitants. Since the first arrangement it has had the addition of three parishes, which were considered by the guardians to be governed by "Gilbert's Act;" and although they successfully resisted the commissioners for a considerable period, in their attempt to break through the bulwarks by which these guardians conceived themselves to be defended, it has since been proved they held no legal title of incorporation under that act; and the result has been a surrender of their claim to the old law, and a junction with the East Ashford. This addition augmented the population to 10,751, and the rating to £10,259. Previously to these parishes being united, a chairman and vice-chairman had been elected; the former Jas. Beckford Wildman, of Chilham Castle, Esq., and the latter Edward Hughes, of Smeeth

Hill House; these, with 21 guardians, formed the board, which very generally receives the efficient services of Edw. Knight, Esq., of Godmersham Park; also the casual aid of the Rt. Hon. Sir Edw. Knatchbull, Bart., of Mersham Hatch; and H. W. Carter, Esq., M.D., of Kennington-place, as exofficio guardians.

The number of paupers I find on the books, as reported by the relieving officers in June, 1835, amounted to 1168; and on the 5th of July, 1836, the whole number on the books was no more than 701; of these 54 were inmates of the house; showing a diminution of rather more than 38 per cent. in the pauperism of this Union the first year! I have observed that the average payments for the maintenance of the poor under the former law amounted to £8951, and the subjoined particulars exhibit the expenditure for twelve months of only £5220 7s. 4 d., showing a saving of £3730 12s. 71d.-a -a sum adequate to £42 12s. 5d. per cent.,an amount quite sufficient to satisfy me for the labours of one year. During this procedure, in the parish in which I am writing, we have rarely had a man out of employ; this, coupled with the pecuniary saving, will I think justly authorise us to believe a small portion (at least) of moral good is achieved. We must be all aware that at this season of the year employ in the rural districts generally abounds; but as a drawback to this, we may fairly observe, that the vast importation of Irish labourers, greatly reduces that portion of work, which, from original custom, reason, and birthright belongs to our own peasantry!

This board holds its meeting every Wednesday, the members being pretty generally attentive, and punctual as to time; and although the East Ashford has obtained the reputation of being liberal overmuch, from certain members of other Boards, I think I may venture to observe that very few, if any privileges have been permitted in this Union, which the spirit of the " Poor Law Amendment Act" does not sanction. The guardians have persevered with a just steadiness of purpose to propel the law, though I admit, with as much leniency as its authority vested in them; and I know of no individual among them who has ever swerved from putting its letter into execution, whenever a case demanded it.-The motto of the Board may be justly stated thus: "We will do our duty! satisfactorily to all, if practicable; but at all events we'll do it;"-this being performed, will not the reflective observer exclaim,

"Let the galled jade wince;

Their withers are unwrung!"

I am quite sure this Board would not profess to be immaculate, nor desire to be so considered, knowing it to be humanity to err; but I likewise know its desire to act upon the basis of the law; and if there be cases of hardship, then to intermingle mercy with legal justice. Such are my views upon this point, and I feel confident I shall meet in this expression of sentiment, with the concurrence, and probably the satisfaction of the East Ashford Board; being fully persuaded its intention is to continue to act upon the principles which the Board has been from the commencement of its sittings adopting; pursuing steadily a path of duty, too deeply implanted to be shaken by a very tender sensibility; or to be agitated by the hasty admonitions of the unwary, and general piquancy of the more dictatorial.

The East Ashford has reduced the number of its relieving officers to two; and those who receive salaries for duties performed, are the following: