354 ■ Fundamental Principles of 



CHAPTER IV. 



Of the Necessity of effectual Measures for introducing 

 a Spirit of Industry among the Poor in forming an 

 Establishment for their Relief and Support. — Of 

 the Means which may be used for that Purpose, 

 and for setting on foot a Scheme for forming an 

 Establishment for feeding the Poor. 



AN object of the very first importance in forming 

 an establishment for the relief and support of the 

 poor is to take effectual measures for introducing a 

 spirit of industry among them ; for it is most certain 

 that all sums of money or other assistance given to the 

 poor in alms, which do not tend to make them, indus- 

 trious, never can fail to have a contrary tendency, and 

 to operate as an encourage7nent to idleness and immo- 

 rality. 



And as the merit of an action is to be determined 

 by the good it produces, the charity of a nation ought 

 not to be estimated by the millions which are paid in 

 poor's taxes, but by the pains which are taken to see 

 that the sums raised are properly applied. 



As the providing useful employment for the poor, 

 and rendering them industrious, is, and ever has been, 

 a great desideratum in political economy, it may be 

 proper to enlarge a little here upon that interesting 

 subject. 



The great mistake committed in most of the attempts 

 which have been made to introduce a spirit of industry 

 where habits of idleness have prevailed has been the 

 too frequent and improper use of coercive measures, by 



