360 Fundamental Principles of 



sufficient alone to overcome the indolence of the public, 

 and induce them to engage actively in the undertaking ; 

 yet as people are at all times and in all situations ready 

 enough to do what they feel to be their interest, if, in 

 bringing forward a scheme of public utility, the proper 

 means be used to render it so interesting as to awaken 

 the curiosity and fix the attention of the public, no 

 doubts can be entertained of the possibility of carry- 

 ing it into effect. 



In arranging such a plan, and laying it before the 

 public, no small degree of knowledge of mankind, and 

 particularly of the various means of acting on them 

 which are peculiarly adapted to the different stages of 

 civilization, or rather of the political refinement and 

 corruption of society, would in most cases be indispen- 

 sably necessary ; but with that knowledge, and a good 

 share of zeal, address, prudence, and perseverance, there 

 are few schemes in which an honest man would wish to 

 be concerned that might not be carried into execution 

 in any country. 



In such a city as London, where there is great wealth, 

 public spirit, enterprise, and zeal for improvement, little 

 more, I flatter myself, would be necessary to engage all 

 ranks to unite in carrying into effect such a scheme 

 than to show its public utility ; and, above all, to prove 

 that there is no job at the bottom of it. 



It would, however, be advisable, in submitting to the 

 public proposals for forming such an establishment, to 

 show that those who are invited to assist in carrying 

 it into execution would not only derive from it much 

 pleasure and satisfaction, but also many real advantages ; 

 for too much pains can never be taken to interest 

 the public, individually and directly, in the success of 



