ROUND ABOUT A POUND A WEEK

ROUND ABOUT
A POUND A WEEK

BY
MRS. PEMBER REEVES

LONDON
G. BELL AND SONS, LTD.
1913

TO
MY FELLOW-WORKER
E. C. L.

PREFACE

I am glad to take this opportunity to acknowledge the use I have made of a manuscript written by Mrs. Charlotte Wilson, Hon. Secretary of the Fabian Women’s Group. The manuscript was founded on a lecture, entitled “The Economic Disintegration of the Family,” delivered by Mrs. Wilson to the Fabian Society in June, 1909. Not only ideas contained in the lecture, but also some of the wording of the manuscript, have been used in the last two chapters.

I wish also to thank Dr. Ethel Bentham for the invaluable professional service rendered by her during the five years of the investigation.

M. S. REEVES.

CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
I.THE DISTRICT[1]
II.THE PEOPLE[8]
III.HOUSING[21]
IV.FURNITURE—SLEEPING ACCOMMODATION—EQUIPMENT FOR COOKING AND BATHING[46]
V.THRIFT[66]
VI.BUDGETS[75]
VII.FOOD: CHIEF ARTICLES OF DIET[94]
VIII.BUYING, STORING, AND CARING FOR FOOD[104]
IX.ACTUAL MENUS OF SEVERAL WORKING MEN’S FAMILIES[113]
X.AMOUNT SPENT A HEAD ON FOOD—PER WEEK, PER DAY[132]
XI.THE POOR AND MARRIAGE[146]
XII.MOTHERS’ DAYS[159]
XIII.THE CHILDREN[176]
XIV.THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT OF WORK[195]
XV.THE STANDARD OF COMFORT[211]
XVI.THE STATE AS GUARDIAN[223]