a Public Institution. 749 



This gentleman I found, on my return to England 

 in September last, not only agreeing with me in opin- 

 ion in regard to the utility and importance of the plan 

 I had proposed, but very solicitous that some attempts 

 should be made to carry it into immediate execution in 

 this capital. 



. After several consultations, that were held at Mr. 

 Bernard's apartments in the Foundling Hospital, and 

 at the house of the Lord Bishop of Durham, at which 

 several gentlemen assisted, who are well known as 

 zealous promoters of useful improvement, it was agreed 

 that Mr. Bernard should report to the Committee of 



industry, benevolence, and prosperity in your favoured country than all the 

 speculators and reformers in the three kingdoms. 



" When society is arrived at a certain degree of torpid indifference and 

 enervation of mind and body, which are the unavoidable effects of wealth, 

 luxury, and inordinate indulgence, mankind must either be allured or shamed 

 into action. Precepts and admonitions have no effect on them. 



"As they are too indolent to take the trouble either to investigate or to 

 choose, they must be led to acts of useful benevolence, as they are led in every 

 thing else, h^ fashion: when you shall have rendered it perfectly ridiculous 

 for a man of fashion and fortune to have the appearance of being insensible to the 

 most noble and most delightful of human enjoyments, — that which results from 

 doing good, — you will have done more for the relief of the poor than all that 

 the Poor Laws can ever effect. Deeply impressed with the necessity of render- 

 ing it fashionable to care for the poor and indigent, and contribute to their relief 

 and comfort, in order to diffuse in England that spirit of active benevolence you 

 are kindling, I am apt to insist, perhaps with too much prolixity, on that impor- 

 tant point. 



" I am anxious to hear of the execution of your plan with regard to Lride- 

 well. A well-arranged House of Industry is much wanted in London. It is 

 indeed absolutely necessary to the success of your undertaking ; for there must 

 be something to see and to touch, if I may use the expression, otherwise people 

 in general will have but very faint, imperfect, and transitory ideas of those 

 important and highly interesting objects with which you must make them 

 acquainted, in order to their becoming zealous converts to our new philosophy 

 and useful members of our community. Pray read once more the ' Proposals,' 

 published in my second Essay. I really think that a public establishment, like 

 that there described, might easily be formed in London, and that it would pro- 

 duce infinite good. I will come to London to assist you in its execution when« 

 ever you will in good earnest undertake it." 



