Oh. V. Of Poor- Laws. 65 



at all events, be reduced to live upon the hardest 

 fare, and in the smallest quantity. 



It might be said, perhaps, that the increased 

 number of purchasers in every article would give 

 a spur to productive industry, and that the whole 

 produce of the island would be increased. But 

 the spur that these fancied riches would give to 

 population would more than counterbalance it ; 

 and the increased produce would be to be divided 

 among a more than proportionably increased num- 

 ber of people. 



A collection from the rich of eighteen shillings 

 in the pound, even if distributed in the most judi- 

 cious manner, would have an effect similar to that 

 resulting from the supposition which I have just 

 made ; and no possible sacrifices of the rich, par- 

 ticularly in money, could for any time prevent the 

 recurrence of distress among the lower members 

 of society, whoever they were. Great changes 

 might indeed be made. The rich might become 

 poor, and some of the poor rich : but while the 

 present proportion between population and food 

 continues, a part of the society must necessarily 

 find it difficult to support a family, and this diffi- 

 culty will naturally fall on the least fortunate 

 members. 



It may at first appear strange, but I believe it 

 is true, that I cannot by means of money raise the 

 condition of a poor man, and enable him to live 

 much better than he did before, without propor- 

 tionably depressing others in the same class. If 

 I retrench the quantity of food consumed in my 



VOL. II. F 



