( 96 ) Bk. iii. 



CHAP. VII. 



Of Poor-Laws, continued. 



The remarks made in the last chapter on the na- 

 ture and effects of the poor-laws have*been in the 

 most striking manner confirmed by the experience' 

 of the years 1815, 1816 and 1817.* During these 

 years, two points of the very highest importance 

 have been established, so as no longer to admit of 

 a doubt in the mind of any rational man. 



The first is, that the country does not in point 

 of fact fulfil the promise which it makes to the 

 poor in the poor-laws, to maintain and find in 

 employment, by means of parish assessments, 

 those who are unable to support themselves or 

 their families, either from want of work or any 

 other cause. 



And secondly, that with a very great increase 

 of legal parish assessments, aided by the most 

 liberal and praiseworthy contributions of voluntary 

 charity, the country has been wholly unable to 

 find adequate employment for the numerous la- 

 bourers and artificers who were able as well as 

 willing to work. 



It can no longer surely be contended that the 

 poor-laws really perform what they promise, when 

 it is known that many almost starving families 



* This chapter was written in 1817. 



