Ch. xiv. respecting future Improvements. 437 



of industry, morality and regular conduct. Yet 

 these are the only plans which have been offered ; 

 and though the adoption of them in the modes 

 suggested would very powerfully contribute to 

 forward the object of this work and better the 

 condition of the poor ; yet if nothing be done in 

 this way, I shall not absolutely despair of some 

 partial good resulting from the general effects of 

 the reasoning. 



If the principles which I have endeavoured to 

 establish be false, I most sincerely hope to see 

 them completely refuted; but if they be true, the 

 subject is so important, and interests the question 

 of human happiness so nearly, that it is impossible 

 they should not in time be more fully known and 

 more generally circulated, whether any particular 

 efforts be made for the purpose or not. 



Among the higher and middle classes of society, 

 the effect of this knowledge will, I hope, be to 

 direct without relaxing their efforts in bettering 

 the condition of the poor; to shew them what 

 they can and what they cannot do; and that, 

 although much may be done by advice and in- 

 struction, by encouraging habits of prudence and 

 cleanliness, by discriminate charity, and by any 

 mode of bettering the present condition of the 

 poor which is followed by an increase of the pre- 

 ventive check; yet that, without this last effect, 

 all the former efforts would be futile ; and that. 



Irish. Preface to vol. iii. of the Reports of the Society for bet- 

 tering the Coiulition of the Poor, p. 32. 



