s at least one-tenth of the entire population.
No effort has hitherto been made to gauge their numbers, so that it is
impossible to speak with accuracy, and the best that we can do is, to
form the nearest feasible estimate from the various facts which lie to
hand and which are universally admitted.

Let any one who is tempted to doubt the literal truth of what I say, or
to think that the picture is overdrawn, but place himself at our
disposal for a few days, or weeks, and we will undertake to show him,
and that in districts which are as the very Paradise of India, thousands
of cases of chronic destitution (especially at certain seasons in the
year) such as ought to be sufficient to melt even a heart of stone!

CHAPTER II.

WHO ARE NOT THE SUBMERGED TENTH?

Before passing on to consider of whom the destitute classes actually
consist, it will be well in a country like India to make a few
preliminary remarks regarding the numbers and position of their more
fortunate countrymen who have employment of some sort, and are therefore
excluded from the category.

The entire population of British India, including Ceylon, Burmah, and
the Native States amounts according to the Census of 1881 to about two
hundred and sixty-four millions.

These I would divide into five classes--

1st--The wealth and aristocracy of the country consisting of those
who enjoy a monthly income of one hundred rupees and upwards per
family. According to the most sanguine estimate we can hardly
suppose that these would number more than forty millions of the
population.

2nd.--The well-to-do middle classes, earning twenty rupees and
upwards, numbering say seventy millions.

3rd.--The fairly well off laboring classes, whose wages are from
five rupees and upwards, numbering say at the most one hundred
millions.

4th--The poverty stricken laboring classes, earning less than five
rupees a month for the support of their families. These cannot at
the lowest estimate be less than twenty-five millions.

5th.--The destitute and unemployed poor, who earn nothing at all,
and who are dependent for their livelihood on the charity of others.
These can hardly be less than twenty-five millions, or a little less
than one-tenth of the entire population.

The two hundred and ten millions who are supposed to be earning
regularly from five rupees and upwards per family, we may dismiss
fort