( 374 ) Bk. iv. 



CHAP. XI. 



Different Plans of improving the Condition of the Poor 



considered. 



In the distribution of our charity, or in any 

 efforts which we may make to better the condition 

 of the lower classes of society, there is another 

 point relating to the main argument of this work, 

 to which we must be particularly attentive. We 

 must on no account do any thing which tends 

 directly to encourage marriage, or to remove, in 

 any regular and systematic manner, that in- 

 equality of circumstances which ought always to 

 exist between the single man and the man with a 

 family. The writers who have best understood the 

 principle of population appear to me all to have 

 fallen into very important errors on this point. 



Sir James Steuart, who was fully aware of what; 

 he calls vicious procreation, and of the misery that 

 attends a redundant population, recommends, 

 notwithstanding, the general establishment of 

 foundling hospitals ; the taking of children under 

 certain circumstances from their parents, and sup- 

 porting them at the expense of the state; and 

 particularly laments the inequality of condition 

 between the married and single man, so ill prp- 



