404 Coyitinuation of the same Sitliject. Bk. iv. 



iapplied as they are now, without any proposed 

 limitations, there is little hope that Mr. Curwen's 

 plan would be successful in diminishing the whole 

 amount of the rates, and the proportion of de- 

 pendent poor. 



There are two errors respecting the management 

 of the poor, into which the public seem inclined 

 to fall at the present moment. The first is a dis- 

 position to attach too much importance to the 

 effects of subscriptions from the poor themselves, 

 without sufficient attention to the mode in which 

 they are distributed. But the mode of distribu- 

 tion is much the more important point of the two; 

 and if this be radically bad, it is of little conse- 

 quence in what manner the subscriptions are 

 raised, whether from the poor themselves, or from 

 any other quarter. If the labouring classes were 

 universally to contribute what might at first ap- 

 pear a very ample proportion of their earnings, for 

 their own support in sickness and in old age, when 

 out of work, and when the family consisted of 

 more than two children ; it is quite certain that 

 the funds would become deficient. Such a mode 

 of distribution implies a power of supporting a 

 rapidly increasing and unlimited population on a 

 limited territory, and must therefore terminate in 

 aggravated poverty. Our present friendly so- 

 cieties or benefit- clubs aim at only limited objects, 

 which are susceptible of calculation; yet many 

 have failed, and many more it is understood are 

 likely to fail from the insufficiency of their funds. 

 If any society were to attempt to-give much more 



