f i63 ) 



To diiFufe thefe comforts as generally as poflible, and by 

 a new arrangement in the management of the poor ; to reftorc 

 that honefl pride, which was once the boaft of the Englifli 

 hufbandman, (viz.) That he difdained to receive aflis- 

 tance from the parifh, but under the mofl prefTing cir- 

 cumftances of indigence and diflrefs, cannot fail to prove 

 a fource of the very higefl moral and political confequencc ; 

 for in the very loweft walks of life, as well as in thofe of 

 higher degree, there is a pride which difplays the man, and 

 adds worth and dignity to the human charader ; and through 

 all the fhades of fociety, which compofe the inhabitants of 

 this highly favoured ifland, there are none, who, without 

 the compunftion of pofitive guilt, that are fo completely 

 wretched, as not to derive fome increafe of happinefs fronx 

 a ftridl adherence to virtuous emulation. To fave from 

 falling, is better than to raife up; and to prevent an evil, 

 is better than to fupply a remedy. Suffer a poor, but flurdy 

 ploughman, to receive the parifli colledion, and he feel? 

 himfelf degraded for ever after : the pride which was once 

 his boaft, becomes his torment, and the very a£ls of pecu- 

 lation, which his honeft foul would have fcorned before his 

 degradation, becomes familiar under cover of the night, 

 and the hope of concealment and impunity. 



X 3 CHAPTER 



