336 Plan of tlie gradual Abolition Bk. iv. 



Greatly as we may be shocked at such a pro- 

 spect, and ardently as we may wish to remove it, 

 the evil is now so deeply seated, and the relief 

 given by the poor-laws so widely extended, that 

 no man of humanity could venture to propose 

 their im.mediate abolition. To mitigate their ef- 

 fects however and stop their future increase, to 

 which, if left to continue upon their present plan, 

 we can see no probable termination, it has been 

 proposed to fix the whole sum to be raised at its 

 present rate, or any other that might be determined 

 upon; and to make a law, that on no account this 

 sum should be exceeded. The objection to this 

 plan is, that a very large sum would be still to be 

 raised, and a great number of people to be sup- 

 ported; the consequence of which would be, that 

 the poor would not be easily able to distinguish 

 the alteration that had been made. Each indi- 

 vidual would think that he had as good a right to 

 be supported when he was in want as any other 

 person; and those who unfortunately chanced to 

 be in distress, when the fixed sum had been col- 

 lected, would think themselves particularly ill used 

 on being excluded from all assistance, while so 

 many others were enjoying this advantage. If 

 the sum collected were divided among all that 

 were in want, however their numbers might in- 

 crease, though such a plan would not be so unfair 

 with regard to those who became dependent after 

 the sum had been fixed, it would undoubtedly be 

 very hard upon those who had been in the habit 

 of receiving a more liberal supply, and had done 



