Establishments for the Poor. 333 



expenditures, that no doubt can possibly be entertained 

 by the public respecting the proper application of the 

 moneys destined for the relief of the poor ; fifthly, by 

 publishing an alphabetical list of all who receive alms ; 

 in which list should be inserted not only the name of 

 the person, his age, condition, and place of abode, but 

 also the amount of the weekly assistance granted to 

 him, in order that those who entertain any doubts re- 

 specting the manner in which the poor are provided for 

 may have an opportunity of visiting them at their habi- 

 tations, and making inquiry into their real situations ; 

 and, lastly, the confidence of the public and the con- 

 tinuance of their support will most effectually, be se- 

 cured by a prompt and successful execution of the plan 

 adopted. 



There is scarcely a greater plague that can infest so- 

 ciety than swarms of beggars ; and the inconveniencies 

 to individuals arising from them are so generally and 

 so severely felt, that relief from so great an evil cannot 

 fail to produce a powerful and lasting effect upon the 

 minds of the public, and to engage all ranks to unite in 

 the support of measures as conducive to the comfort of 

 individuals as they are essential to the national honour 

 and reputation. And even in countries where the 

 poor do not make a practice of begging, the knowledge 

 of their sufferings must be painful to every benevolent 

 mind ; and there is no person, I would hope, so callous 

 to the feelings of humanity as not to rejoice most sin- 

 cerely when effectual relief is afforded. 



The greatest difficulty attending the introduction of 

 any measure founded upon the voluntary support of the 

 public for maintaining the poor, and putting an end to 

 mendicity, is an opinion generally entertained that a 



