344 Fundamental Principles of 



governor of a public charity. I insist the more upon 

 this point, as the whole scheme is founded upon the 

 voluntary assistance of individuals, and therefore to in- 

 sure its success the most unlimited confidence of the 

 public must be reposed in those who are to carry it into 

 execution; besides, I may add that the manner in 

 which the funds of the various public establishments 

 for the relief of the poor already instituted have com- 

 monly been administered in most countries does not 

 tend to render superfluous the precautions I propose for 

 securing the confidence of the public. 



The preceding observations respecting the impor- 

 tance of employing none but persons of known integrity 

 at the head of an institution for the relief of the poor 

 relate chiefly to the necessity of encouraging people 

 in affluent circumstances, and the public at large, to 

 unite in the support of such an establishment. There 

 is also another reason, perhaps equally important, which 

 renders it expedient to employ persons of the most 

 respectable character in the details of an institution of 

 public charity, — the good effects such a choice must 

 have upon the minds and morals of the poor. 



Persons who are reduced to indigent circumstances, 

 and become objects of public charity, come under the 

 direction of those who are appointed to take care of 

 them with minds weakened by adversity and soured by 

 disappointment ; and finding themselves separated from 

 the rest of mankind, and cut off from all hope of see- 

 ing better days, they naturally grow peevish and discon- 

 tented, suspicious of those set over them and of one 

 another ; and the kindest treatment, and most careful 

 attention to every circumstance that can render their 

 situation supportable, are therefore required, to prevent 



