J) 



78 



and will, therefore, do either too little, or too much, for the objects of 

 their aid. Inftitutions of the kind, I now mention, will enter into the 

 fpirit of each particular cafe of diflrefs, and proportion exaftly the 

 quantity of afliflance to the emergency. Were fiich inftitutions to pre- 

 vail generally, they would prove a means of cementing man to man, 

 by the bonds of love, and afts of benevolence. They would improve 

 and foften the heart, by cultivating the human affcftions, and tender 

 fympathies ; and teaching man to melt, at the diftreffes of his brother. 

 I propofe not to enlarge, here, on the form, and regulations, which 

 may be proper to be adopted in fuch eftablifhments. I content myfelf, 

 with fuggefting the meafure, in general, to the wifdom and benevo- 

 lence, of thofe who feel, for the diftreffes of the labouring poor ; and 

 for ufeful details, referring to the various publications on this important 

 fubjeft. 



Work-houfes are favourite obje<fls, in the clafs of foundations, with 

 political economifts ; and the ufe of them is very general in England. 

 I fear, they are feldom produftive of as much good, as is expefted 

 from them. Public bodies being deficient in watchfulnefs, aftivity, and 

 zeal, labour under a difadvantage ; and will never find a vent for the 

 commodities manufadured in them. Hence arifes one argument againft 

 fuch eftabliftiments. But, although ftrong, it is, by no means the ftrong- 

 eft, becaufe, univerfally, people who work in confinement, eat too much 

 and work too little. 



To conclude this head, I believe, if we look into the public foun- 

 dations of the country, one with another, and eftimate the real public 

 utility which they bring with them, we ftiall pafs a favourable judg- 

 ment, if we value that public utility, at a hundredth part of the pub- 

 lic expence. I fpeak here, with a referve in favour of fuch noble 

 inftitutions, as a Foundling Hofpital, and a Lying-in Hofpital. No change 

 of times, or flufluation of manners, can depreciate their utility. Nor 

 do I fpeak of county infirmaries, or hofpitals for the reception of fick 



and 



