376 Fundamental Principles of 



idate and discourage them as the forbidding aspect of a 

 stern and austere countenance in the person they were 

 taught to look up to for assistance and protection. 



The external appearance of those who are destined 

 to command others is always a matter of real im- 

 portance, but it is peculiarly so when those to be 

 commanded and directed are objects of pity and com- 

 miseration. 



Where there are several gentlemen who live in the 

 neighbourhood of the same town or village where an 

 establishment or asylum (as I would wish it might 

 be called) for the poor is to be formed, they should all 

 unite to form one establishment, instead of each form- 

 ing a separate one ; and it will likewise be very useful 

 in all cases to invite all ranks of people resident within 

 the limits of the district in which an establishment is 

 formed, except those who are actually in need of assist- 

 ance themselves, to contribute to carry into execution 

 such a public undertaking ; for though the sums the 

 more indigent and necessitous of the inhabitants may 

 be able to spare may be trifling, yet their being invited 

 to take part in so laudable an undertaking will be flat- 

 tering to them, and the sums they contribute, however 

 small they may be, will give them a sort of property 

 in the establishment, and will effectually engage their 

 good wishes at least (which are of more importance in 

 such cases than is generally imagined) for its success. 



How far the relief which the poor would receive from 

 the execution of a scheme like that here proposed 

 ought to preclude them from a participation of other 

 public charities (in the distribution of the sums levied 

 upon the inhabitants in poor's taxes, for instance, where 

 such exist) must be determined in each particular case 



