The Work of Princess Louise in Poplar.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2752, 5 March 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Work of Princess Louise in Poplar.

We all know the splendid work done by Mrs Will Crooks in Poplar, which lias of late years been largely in connection with her famous club for the poorer work-girls. From “Woman” we hear of another woman worker in the needy and congested district: Twenty years ago tho Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, founded an undertaking in Poplar for the rescue of girls on condition that her association with it might be unknown, so that she might go there frequently as u worker and without ceremonial, for she is a firm believer in personal effort, and lhas much (more faith in it than in systems of organisation, holding? that a good worker will succeed under any system. The institution is a great success. It is under the management of a lady' who has devoted her life and possessions to the work, and lias tho rare gift of winning the affections and confidence of the girls. They receive a good domestic training, and thousands have been saved fr<ym a life of degradation hnd become decent and useful women.

The institution, which is practically unknown beyond the circle of her Royal Highness’s personal friends, who help her to support it, affords an admirable instance of the effect of her own direct influence and personal initiative. There are many good .works in which the Princess is deeply interested, but this is the one that nest- illustrates her own point of view bv showing the effect of the individual help which arouses ]>ersonal gratitude. Tlie girls of this establishment regard it affectionately as their home, and, after leaving it to take situ iti ms, •come back to it in their holidays. The. sense of (gratitude and personal attachment is not the least of the benefits conferred ; in fact, gratitude might be taken as the touchstone of well-judg-ed help. The Princess lias realised this, and' gives “of Qierself” to these, her poor sisters, in the East End of London.