Establishments for the Poor. 379 



These assurances, which will be the strongest induce- 

 ments that can be used to prevail on the inhabitants of 

 all descriptions to enter warmly into the scheme, and 

 assist with alacrity in carrying it into execution, should 

 be expressed in the strongest terms ; and all persons of 

 every denomination, young and old, and of both sexes 

 (paupers only excepted), should be invited to put down 

 their names in the subscription lists, and this even, 

 however small the sums may be which they are liable to 

 contribute. Although the sums which day-labourers, 

 servants, and others in indigent circumstances, may be 

 able to contribute, may be very trifling, yet there is one 

 important reason why they ought always to be engaged 

 to put down their names upon the lists as subscribers ; 

 and that is, the good effects which their taking an active 

 part in the undertaking will probably produce on them- 

 selves. Nothing tends more to mend the heart, and 

 awaken in the mind a regard for character, than acts of 

 charity and benevolence ; and any person who has once 

 felt that honest pride and satisfaction which result from 

 a consciousness of having been instrumental in doing 

 good by relieving the wants of the poor will be ren- 

 dered doubly careful to avoid the humiliation of becom- 

 ing himself an object of public charity. 



It was a consideration of these salutary effects, which 

 may always be expected to be produced upon the minds 

 of those who take an active and vohcntary part in the 

 measures adopted for the relief of the poor, that made 

 me prefer voluntary subscriptions to taxes, in raising 

 the sums necessary for the support of the poor; and all 

 the experience I have had in these matters has tended 

 to confirm me in the opinion I have always had of their 

 superior utility. Not only day-labourers and domestic 



