Life of Count Rumford. 183 



of this first vagabond, and told him that from that 

 day begging would no longer be permitted in the 

 streets of Munich. The mendicant was committed to 

 a sergeant with orders to take him to the Town Hall, 

 where he was told that he would be provided for in one 

 way if he was really helpless, and in another way if he 

 was not. To his own act Thompson added some 

 rallying words to his associates to overcome their re- 

 luciance to what might seem a derogatory proceeding 

 to any of them, and assured them that there could be 

 no disgrace in assisting " in so useful and laudable an 

 undertaking." With such alacrity and thoroughness 

 was the work accomplished, that the magistrates and 

 soldiers had seized upon every beggar, not a single 

 one remaining at large. 



When the motley mass of mendicants had been gath- 

 ered in the Town Hall, their names were taken down 

 on prepared lists, and they were sent off for a time to 

 their own private haunts, with instructions to present 

 themselves on the next day at the " Military Work- 

 house " already provided in the Au. They were 

 promised there comfortable, warm rooms, a warm din- 

 ner daily, and remunerative work if they would labor. 

 They were likewise assured that a committee would 

 inquire into the condition, wants, and ability of each of 

 them, with a view to granting them permanently all 

 needful aid. The same measures were then followed 

 up in the suburbs by patrols of soldiers and police. 



Thompson was greatly aided in his work by the 

 circulation all over the city of an address and appeal to 

 the inhabitants, prepared by his hearty coadjutor, Pro- 

 fessor Babo, a distinguished literary man in Munich. 

 Many of these circulars were carried by Thompson 



