Establishments for the Poor. 357 



person punished and excite personal hatred and re- 

 venge, instead of disposing the mind to serious reflec- 

 tion, it must be administered in the most solemn 

 and most dispassionate manner ; and it must be con- 

 tinued no longer than till theyfr^/ dawn of reformation 

 appears. 



How much prudence and caution are necessary in 

 dispensing rewards and punishments ; and yet how 

 little attention is in general paid to those important 

 transactions ! 



Rewards and punishments are the only means by 

 which mankind can be controlled and directed ; and 

 yet how often do we see them dispensed in the most 

 careless, most imprudent, and most improper manner! 

 How often are they confounded ! how often misapplied ! 

 and how often do we see them made the instruments of 

 gratifying the most sordid private passions ! 



To the improper use of them may be attributed all 

 the disorders of civil society. To the improper or care- 

 less use of them may, most unquestionably, be attrib- 

 uted the prevalence of poverty, misery, and mendicity 

 in most countries, and particularly in Great Britain, 

 where the healthfulness and mildness of the climate, 

 the fertility of the soil, the abundance of fuel, the 

 numerous and flourishing manufactures, the extensive 

 commerce, and the millions of acres of waste lands 

 which still remain to be cultivated, furnish the means 

 of giving useful employment to all its inhabitants, and 

 even to a much more numerous population. 



But if, instead of encouraging the laudable exertions 

 of useful industry, and assisting and relieving the un- 

 fortunate and the infirm (the only real objects of char- 

 ity), the means designed for those purposes are so 



