Ch. vii. Of Poor-Laios, continued. 109 



between universal want and the enactment of 

 direct laws against marriage. 



What I have really proposed is a very different 

 measure. It is the gradual and very gradual abo- 

 lition of the poor-laws.* And the reason why I 

 have ventured to suggest a proposition of this 

 kind for consideration is ray firm conviction, that 

 they have lowered very decidedly the wages of 

 the labouring classes, and made their general 

 condition essentially worse than it would have 

 been if these laws had never existed. Their ope- 

 ration is every where depressing; but it falls pe- 

 culiarly hard upon the labouring classes in great 

 towns. In country parishes the poor do really 

 receive some compensation for their low wages ; 

 their children, beyond a certain number, are really 

 supported by the parish ; and though it must be 

 a most grating reflection to a labouring man, that 

 it is scarcely possible for him to marry without 

 becoming the father of paupers ; yet if he can 

 reconcile himself to this prospect, the compensa- 

 tion, such as it is, is, no doubt, made to him. 

 But in London and all the great towns of the 

 kingdom, the evil is suffered without the compen- 

 sation. The population raised by bounties in 

 the country naturally and necessarily flows into 

 the towns, and as naturally and necessarily tends 

 to lower wages in them ; while, in point of fact, 

 those who marry in towns, and have large fami- 

 lies, receive no assistance from their parishes. 



* So gradual as not to afiect any individuals at present alive, 

 or who will be born within the next two years. 



