tenance in and through the
family; and any form of state intervention is approved or disapproved by
the same standard. By self-maintenance is meant self-support throughout
life in its ordinary contingencies--sickness, widowhood, old age, &c.
Political economy we would define as the science of exchange and
exchange value. Here it has to be considered in relation to the purposes
of charity. By way of illustration we take, accordingly, three points:
distribution and use, supplementation of wage, and the standard of
well-being or comfort in relation to wage.

(1) _Distribution and Use._--Economy in the Greek sense begins at this
point--the administration and the use of means and resources.
Political economy generally ignores this part of the problem. Yet from
the point of view of charity it is cardinal to the whole issue. The
distribution of wage may or may not be largely influenced by trades
unions; but the variation of wage, as is generally the case, by the
increase or decrease of a few pence is of less importance than its
use. Comparing a careful and an unthrifty family, the difference in
use may amount to as much as a third on the total wage. Mere
abstention from alcohol may make, in a normal family, a difference of
6s. in a wage of 25s. On the other hand, membership of a friendly
society is at a time of sickness equivalent to the command of a large
sum of money, for the common stock of capital is by that means placed
at the disposal of each individual who has a share in it. Further,
even a small amount saved may place the holder in a position to get a
better market for his labour; he can wait when another man cannot.
Rent may be high, but by co-operation that too may be reduced. Other
points are obvious and need not be mentioned. It is evident that while
the amount of wage is important, still more important is its use. In
use it has a large expansive value. (2) _Supplementation of
Wage._--The exchange between skill and wage must be free if it is to
be valid. The less the skill the greater is the temptation to
philanthropists to supplement the lesser wage; and the more important
is non-supplementation, for the skilled can usually look after their
own interests in the market, while the less skilled, because their
labour is less marketable, have to make the greater effort to avoid
dependence. But the dole of endowed charities, outdoor relief, and any
constant giving,