336 Fundamental Principles of 



selves to be discouraged by a difficulty which may so 

 easily be surmounted. 



In the introduction of every scheme for forming an 

 establishment for the poor, whether it be proposed to 

 defray the expense by voluntary subscriptions or by 

 a tax levied for the purpose, it will be proper for the 

 authors or promoters of the measure to address the 

 public upon the subject ; to inform them of the nature 

 of the measures proposed ; of their tendency to promote 

 the public welfare ; and to point out the various ways in 

 which individuals may give their assistance to render 

 the scheme successful. 



There are few cities in Europe, I believe, in which 

 the state of the poor would justify such an address as 

 that which was published at Munich upon taking up 

 the beggars in that town ; but something of the kind, 

 with such alterations as local circumstances may require, 

 I am persuaded, would in most cases produce good 

 effects. With regard to the assistance that might be 

 given by individuals to carry into effect a scheme for 

 providing for the poor, though measures for that pur- 

 pose may and ought to be so taken that the public 

 would have little or no trouble in their execution, yet 

 there are many things which individuals must be in- 

 structed cautiously to avoid, otherwise the enterprise 

 will be extremely difficult, if not impracticable ; and, 

 above all things, they must be warned against giving 

 alms to beggars. 



Though nothing would be more unjust and tyrannical 

 than to prevent the generous and humane from con- 

 tributing to the relief of the poor and necessitous, yet, 

 as giving alms to beggars tends so directly and so 

 powerfully to encourage idleness and immorality, to dis- 

 courage the industrious poor, and perpetuate mendicity, 



