586 Remarks on Friendly Societies. [June, 



expences of the current year, ending at Lady Day next, will not exceed, 

 but rather fall beneath, the last amount. This reduction was effected 



PARTLY DURING AN ADVANCED PRICE OF PROVISIONS, AND IN A TOWN 



SITUATED IN AN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT. My observations, however, 

 do not apply exclusively to Southwell, but, in a certain degree, to forty- 

 nine parishes constituting the surrounding neighbourhood. The inha- 

 bitants of this district, perceiving the beneficial effects produced upon 

 the character and conduct of the poor, as well as the diminution of the 

 2)arochial expenditure, have incorporated Jbr similar jiurposes ; and J, as 

 the visitor, am noiv effecting a reduction of their rates upon similar prin- 

 ciples !" 



We have come to the conclusion, not from a hypothetical foundation, 

 but ^Yomjiicts which admit of no debate, for the poorest class constitutes 

 a great proportion of the associations which has produced this impor- 

 tant result. 



We are not inclined to say more on the expediency of establishing, in 

 every part of the empire, these societies. Every man who possesses the 

 feelings of patriotism and humanitj' must feel his bosom swell with an 

 ardent desire to become a fellow-labourer with Mr. Fleming and Mr. 

 Becher in promoting these means for at once securing the poor, the sick, 

 and the aged from penury and misery, and the kingdom from a demora- 

 lising and oppressive tax. 



The greater number of the opinions entertained even by people in the 

 superior walks of life, excepting those which relate to mere points of 

 moral rectitude, when closely examined, have but weak foundations for 

 their support. Many opinions are adopted from indefinite notions, 

 many fi-om sheer ignorance, and many fi-om mere opposition. Every day 

 we hear of the immobility of prejudice, and the violence of fanaticism : 

 there may be some truth in the assertion, but he who has any knowledge 

 of human nature knows, that prejudice, fanaticism, and almost every 

 passion yields to the magic touch of ititerest. Let those capable of com- 

 prehending the soundness and utility of such societies as those founded 

 in Hampshire and at Southwell, be assured, that it is to the interest of 

 the poor to become members of them, and they will no longer oppose 

 their establishment, and soon teach the poor in their districts to appre- 

 ciate them. Should they doubt this point, too, they will find Jiict 

 against them as in the former instance. These are the words of Mr. 

 Becher. 



" The transition from a dependence upon the parish to a reliance upon 

 their own resources, I have not found so violent as might be expected ; 

 because, when the poor are compelled to rest upon their personal fore- 

 thought and exertion, they devise means of support beyond our know- 

 ledge and almost beyond our comprehension." On Mr. Becher being 

 asked ; '' do you mean, by using the expression, compelled to rest upon 

 their own resources, that you refuse relief to those who do not contribute 

 to those societies ?" he gave the following reply, which must excite 

 respect for him wherever it is read. 



" We teach the poor, that the only relief to which a pauper is entitled 

 is bare subsistence. We explain to them the nature of the saving-bank, 

 and of the friendly institution ; we propose to take a portion of their 

 children in the first instance, as recommended in the report alluded to, 

 and to diet them daily at the workhouse, where they are schooled and 

 employed according to Mr. Locke's system, and allowed to return home 



