377 



fervaats of the inflitution !— A laundrefs — a lleward — a providore — a 

 matron of an hofpital, or a poorhoule, is often lodged in apartments, 

 that might ferve a prince, and enabled (out of the funds intended for 

 the lame, the blind, the aged, and the orphan) to run the whole ca- 

 reer of faftiionable diliipation, on an income adequate to the mainte= 

 nance of an hundred paupers, or a dozen profeffors, of elegant accom- 

 plifliments, or ufeful knowledge. 



There is a method of providing for the wants of the poor, without 

 burthening the community ; without the glaring parade, and waftefui 

 oftentation of charity ; a method, which executes itfelf, and is adapted 

 to all times and feafons, and which, while it provides for the future 

 wants of the peafant, or the artifan, ftimulates him to redouble his 

 induftry, at the prefent moment, and teaches him a wholefome leflbn 

 of frugality, by leading him to hoard up a fraall portion of his daily 

 earnings ; I mean the inftitution of beneficial focieties, to which every 

 man contributes a certain weekly fum, to form a fund, for mutual re- 

 lief, in the hour of diftrefs. Such inftitutions have become very gene- 

 ral, in England, and they deferve to be promoted, and diffufed, in 

 this country, by every aid, that the countenance and proteclion of the 

 legiflature, can afford them. Let us imitate the example of England^ 

 where friendly focieties for mutual relief, are now regulated by law ; 

 and provident focieties, which are voluntary, eftabliflied in mofl: towns. 



Thefe eflablifliments for mutual aid, poffefs many advantages, over 

 public foundations. They do not interfere, with the freedom of the 

 individual. They do not impofe a burthen, on the community. They 

 are chearfully maintained, becaufc they are freely eftabliflied. They 

 do not neceflarily lead to profufion, or include in themfelves a principle 

 of corruption, and malverfation. The plan is fimple, and the execu- 

 tion of it eafy. The fund will be managed with fidelity, and admini- 

 ftcred, with economy ; becauf?, the perfons to be benefited by it, and 

 who are therefore intcrefted in its continuance, and encreafe, are them- 

 fclves the adminiflrators. Foundations muft proceed, on general rules 

 Vol. IX. ( 3 B ) ^^^ 



