THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR, 



THE condition of the labouring poor in many parts of the king- 

 dom is very far from being satisfactory. Hopeless poverty, and its 

 companions, recklessness and discontent, have converted the cottage 

 homes of England into foci for crime and dangerous political excite^ 

 ment. Any man whose experience goes back thirty years, and 

 whose habits have led him into familiar intercourse with this most 

 important part of our population, cannot fail to be sensible how great 

 a change has been wrought in its social condition. It is in vain that we 

 appeal to tables of exports and imports as proofs of national prosperity 

 it is in vain that we are a wealthy people the basis upon which 

 all rests the substratum running beneath all our institutions, is de- 

 cidedly unsound. A moral revolution, goaded, on by growing intel- 

 . ligence, and stimulated by physical deprivations, is gradually, but 

 steadily, undermining the existing state of things, and threatens, un- 

 less checked by wise remedial measure, to overthrow our social con- 

 federation. 



There are many well-meaning people who trust to what may be 

 termed the vis inertice of society for bringing every thing to its pro- 

 per level, and who argue, that if matters are allowed to go on in 

 their own way, they are sure to turn out right. This is a comfort- 

 able doctrine ; but happens to resemble pretty closely the wisdom of 

 the philosopher who, when told by his servants that his house was on 

 fire, very coolly desired them to inform their mistress, as he never in- 

 terfered in household affairs. There are others amongst that class of 

 individuals termed, for want of a more appropriate name, " political 

 economists," who, when told of misery and distress of crime and 

 wide-spreading immorality, existing in many rural and manufac- 

 turing districts, admit the fact, but bristle up with indignation, and 

 accuse the poor creatures of imprudence, and throw the entire onus 

 of blame upon their own shoulders. They arrive at this conclusion 

 by a very simple process of reasoning. The people are poor that is 

 they are in want of the comforts and conveniencies proper for a 

 civilized and polished nation ; hence it is plain, say they, that there 

 are too many people the demand for these comforts is greater than 

 the supply, and the remedy is obvious reduce the amount of popu- 

 lation and keep up production, and then every man may live on beef- 

 steaks and French rolls, and dress in good broad-cloth. It unfor- 

 tunately happens for this beautiful and simple theory, that God has 

 impressed upon mankind certain instincts and passions, and that 

 human legislation has sanctioned these appetencies by formula 

 adapted for the moral welfare of society, and consequently that our 

 species will marry, and children will be born. If we interfere with 

 this natural and proper order of things, we throw open the flood- 

 gates which have hitherto restrained the unreserved indulgence of 

 M.M. No. 103. M 



