436 Inquiry into the Effects 
almost impossible to reclaim those, whovare 
addicted to it, to habits of regular and sta- 
tionary industry. 
Among the lower orders, it may, think, 
be safely affirmed, that industry can only. be 
found, where artificial wants have crept in, 
and have acquired the character of necessaries. 
In England, especially, the greater energy 
of the lower rank is mainly to be attributed 
to that superiority in respect to domestic com- 
forts, which they possess over those of » the 
two sister countries ; comforts, which having 
once enjoyed, they will never resign, whilst 
industry and activity can secure their conti- 
nuance. Englishmen of the lower order, 
when scarcity visits the land, or when ca+ 
lamity in trade occurs of. sufficient extent to 
deprive them of the power of subsisting by 
means of their own industry, fall back upon 
the poor-rate. By this they are relieved, un- 
til the cause of their depression is removed. 
The elasticity of their minds is thus pre- 
served, and their spirits remain unbroken. 
In such cases, relief is generally adminis- 
tered, according to the wants of. the several 
applicants, by the most respectable and con- 
scientious individuals of the middle class, 
who, while their sympathy is sufficiently 
awakened, are restrained from inconsiderate 
