a a Propofed Inftitution for Employment of the Poor. 
public inftitution. Should it be objected, 
that the vicious part of fociety ought to 
futfer the confequence of their vices, 
though the truth of the pofition fhould 
be granted, in cafes, where there is a dif- 
pofition to continue in Vice, it cannot be 
admitted as_a valid objeétion ; for what 
is here propofed is to furnith the moft ef- 
feétual means of fecuring thofe from the 
neceflity of perpetuating their vices, who 
are at prefent compelled to perpetuate 
them by a too juft exclufion from fociety, 
as well as to provide means of fubfiftence 
for the innocently unfortunate, and not 
fhelter any one in the continuance of vice. 
And certainly all the, fufferings of the 
moft vicious fhould, as much as poflible, 
be ufed as a mean of correction of their 
errors, and not of perfonal extermination. 
Where it is in the power of fociety to do 
it with fufficient fatety, the door of peni- 
tence and effectual reformation fhould be 
opened, Should it be faid that there are 
houfes of induftry provided in every pa- 
rifh, and that charitable inftitutions in 
abundance have met with public encou- 
ragement, it may obvioully fuggeft it- 
felf as an anfwer, that moft of the charac- 
. ters that are here pleaded for are not 
likely to recur toa parifh poor-houtfe till de- 
fpair has driven them there to breathe their 
laft; and though the writer would be the 
Jaft to {peak lightly of the charities of the 
prefent age, yet he may be allowed to fey, 
that the operations of charity in general 
want a method which fhall give them 
ereater effect : that were a proper cecono-~ 
my introduced into the mode of difpenting 
charities, more good might be done at 
lefs expenfe ; and that unlefs we relieve 
the poor and unfortunate, by putting them 
in a method, and furnifhing them with 
opportunities of relieving themfelves by 
the natural operations of their own powers, 
our efforts of charity may become expen- 
five, but will be comparatively ineffectual. 
The writer of this paper has fome concern 
in the management of an inftitution where 
gratuities are difpenfed, which are of very 
great fervice ; but he is perfuaded that, 
in this and all other cafes, except thofe 
which refpeét the fick and the aged, were 
the recipients provided with fuitable em- 
ployment to fupport themfelves without 
gratuity, it would tend more-to their mo- 
rals and their happinefs; becaufe, by 
keeping them properly employed it would 
prevent the vices of indolence; and, 
though it would not render them impro- 
perly independent, it would raife them to 
a degree ot felf pofleflion, and {elf refpect, 
which are neceflary to morality and nap- 
> 
pinefs, and to the formation of a charac- 
ter and a neighbourhood on which flociety 
can place a dependance. 
The writer is perfonally acquainted 
with cafes which would powerfully en- 
force the arguments that favour the pur- 
pofe of this paper. He has known cha= 
racters which have fallen into errors, in 
the moment of temptation, which threat- 
ened them with all the rigour of the 
world’s frown, and, by expofure and ex- 
clufion, to all the horrors of perpetuating 
vice as a mean of fupport ; who have, by 
the kind and prudent intervention of be- 
nevolent perfons, been furnifhed with an 
opportunity of obtaining a refpeétable 
maintenance, who have aiterwards regained 
their ufefulnefs in fociety, and have am- 
ply repaid the care and kindnefs beftowed 
on them, by the moft innocent deportment, 
and the moft affiduous attention to the 
duties of their ftations.. And he has 
known inftances where young perfons, 
whofe manners and characters were, pre- 
vioufly, amiable, have, by the lofs of re~ 
putation in the moment of temptation, 
without meeting any greater rigour than 
ufually, and with the general approbation 
of fociety, is exercifed towards {uch per- 
fons, been thrown out of all reputable 
means of fupport, overwhelmed with de- 
{pair of ever obtaining the forgivenefs and | 
regaining the confidence of fociety, have 
yielded to what feemed to them a neceflity, 
have plunged into vice and infamy, and 
died in wretchednefs and mifery ; and 
thus terminated an exiftence which, as far 
as the influence of it extended, and who 
fhall fay how far it did not extend, has 
been an injury to fociety, when fucha, 
well timed and prudent exertion as is now 
pleaded for, might have preferved them, 
and made them ufeful and happy in life ; 
though, in psint of pruderice, it was out 
of the power of individual families to ac- 
complifh fo defirable a purpofe. How 
bright a fun fhall enliven the evening 
of their days who may fave fuch charac- 
ters from the difgrace and mifery of per- 
petuated vice. 
The writer of this paper has alfo 
known perfons of innocent and amiable 
charaéters, who, from unforefeen occur- 
rences, from the mortality of friends, from 
bodily indifpofition, with a feries of ca- 
lamities, have become deftitute of the - 
means of fupport ; and, from an incapa- 
city to have recourle to fuch employments 
as offered, and finding it impoffible to 
meet with, or not knowing where to apply 
for any fuitable employment, have una- 
voidably funk into the moft cheerlefs 
wretch< 
