Punch (71.1876)

September 2, 1876.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

89

THE SILLY SEASON

Sets the same old Models of Vegetable and Still Life for the young Artists of the Press.

NO MORE CHARITY !

The Secretary of the Anti-Charitable Association presents his
compliments to Mr. Punch, and begs him to give the benefit of the
largest circulation' in the universe to the following philosophical
propositions enunciated in the Times, by a Gentleman signing him-
self " R. Baliol Brett," on the subject of " Philanthropy in War."
Mr. Brett argues that malevolence towards belligerents is really
practised by neutrals in affording any medical assistance, or relief,
or comfort whatsoever to their sick and wounded. He denounces
this effectual inhumanity because—

" First, it is a direct encouragement to war, by means of making it easier
and less expensive to the nations engaged.

" Secondly, it is a distinct encouragement to war, by making it less hateful,
because less horrible, to the folks who stay at home.

" Thirdly, it prolongs war, by patching up wounded men to go and fight
again, and get a second shot at those who had escaped them once."

This truly philanthropic philosopher further shows that "to

alleviate temporary at the price of ultimate human suffering is a
grossly immoral act; and, to use a Benthamite formula, a sacrifice
of a greater interest to a lesser, a durable to a momentary, a certain
to a doubtful good."

Besides all which, the Secretary of the Anti-Charitable Society
desires to point out, it costs—money. On the ground, therefore,
of. economy, as well as that of morality, he protests against any
further expenditure for a maleficent purpose on ambulance-corps,
or any other such organisations of mischievous mercy. For the
same reasons he earnestly beseeches the British Public to desist
from subscribing towards the support of Hospitals, and particularly
calls upon the Clergy to preach no more sermons in aid of those per-
nicious institutions, and at once to abolish Hospital Sunday. Diseases
and accidents are the natural consequences of excess, carelessness,
and dirt, which if every offender were left to take them would, alike
with war, work ultimately their own cure. It is an immoral act even
to administer a pill, or strap a cut finger, much less to practise medi-
cine and surgery at large, except with a single eye to the duty of

vol. lxxi.