1800. ] 
with the public exertion, and will do it 
as certainly as the fhadow will follow the 
fubitance. But which attempt would 
be moft likely to fucceed, the finding fuf- 
ficient employment for all,. and which 
fhall not be fubjeé&t to cafualties, or mak- 
ing provifion for all after a limited period 
of life? Each certainly. has its difical- 
ties; but the fir involves init fuch a va- 
riety of phyfical and political confidera- 
tions as to appear in truth an object ‘* de- 
voutly to be wifhed,”? but which huma- 
nity would figh for in vain; while the 
latter is not only practicable, but com- 
paratively eafy to attain, and promifing 
to the benevolent heart of the patriot, the 
moralift, or the Chriftian, the beft of con- 
equences. ‘This would be the beft foun- 
dation for the attempt recommended by 
J. J. G. to provide certain employment 
for the poor which fhould be adequate to 
their fupport, and a ftimulus to their ex- 
ertions wiich fhould be certain of its due 
reward. To expec fudden and univerfal 
reformation from the interference of go- 
vernment, or from the public choice, 
muft in the higheft degree be vifionary 
and inexperienced ; perhaps there is no 
profpect of any contiderable advances to- 
wards it,-but by the united exertions of a 
few individuals, concentrated in their 
own {phere of a€tion, and under their im- 
mediate direétion. With fuch.an exam- 
ple as the management of the poor-houfe 
at Shrew{bury, it would, feem {carce to 
admir of doubt, that the pooreft and the 
mott helplefs clafs need only be properly 
attenved to, to remove forever the intole- 
rable burden of our poor-rates, fo enor- 
mous, yet fo unproductive of happinefs. 
The poor cannot a@ for themfelves in 
combination ; their fituation, their inex- 
perience, and their fcanty knowledge, all 
con{pire againft ameliorating their condi- 
tion, It is not, however, merely by in- 
creafing their wages that they would be 
difpofed to economy, or to fave any part 
of their earnings as a provifion for age: 
fomething muft be done to cultivate the 
moral principle, to excite a {pirit of emu- 
lation, a fuitable fenfe of the importance 
of moral character, and of thé advantages 
of economy ; and thus, by their fuperi- 
ors having them under. their immediate 
cognizance, they. would then perceive 
where and how their benevolence might 
be beft beflowed. -The rich would lofe 
nothing of their confequence, by conde- 
icending, on particular occafions, to affo- 
ciate with the poor for their advantage, 
while thefe would be led to prize that af- 
fability which noticed their honeft exer- 
tions, and would find that charaSter-and 
Virtue would meet the proper reward, 
Banik 
. e 
On Providing for the Aged and Difeofed Poar, + 4.23 
This friendly intercourfe, this ** amicable 
colliGon,’’ would raife and cheer the child 
of poverty, without debafing his benefac- 
tor ; would tend to reconcile the murmu- 
rer to the inequalities of fortune, to re~ 
mind the affluent that the calls of huma- 
nity afford high gratification in the ob- 
fervance, and to convince all ranks, thac 
their obligations and dependencies are 
mutual and indifpenfable. © 
To make the experiment on the plan 
" propofed, {uppofe as many wealthy indi- 
viduals as would be neceflary to.give re- 
fpeCtability and permanence to’ the at~ 
tempt, determine upon it... Having the 
neceffary tables prepared, let fome one or 
more confent to take the part or trea{u- 
rer ; and, relinquifhing every idca of pro- 
fit, let him or them offer fecurity for the 
amount which may be vefted in his or 
their hands. The office of collecting and 
diftributing the money, with all the &cs. 
belonging to the fecretary, being the moft 
troublefome part of the bufinels, might 
have fome falary attached to it, or by di- 
viding the trouble it might be made fo 
eafy as to iree frém all pecuniary incum- 
brance. The bufinefs would then be in 
a proper ftate to be made public, wien 
found heaith, and a good character thould 
be the only, but indifpenfible, criterion for 
admiffion. Upon this footing, old age 
and ficknefs, and even provilicn for wi- 
dows, might each be included, fo as to. 
create the greateft poflible attachment ta 
the inftitution., Still farther to improve 
the plan, honorary contributions might 
be folicited, or the wealthy in each fociety 
might raife a fmall provifion to afhit thote 
who might cafually be incapacitated from 
ran oq . ] - } hy y 
making their regular payments ; but this 
fhould never be allowed but under certaia 
rigorous reftriétions, fo as to preven: im- 
polition. Perhaps it might be confidered 
as deferving the attention and affifiance of 
the overfeers of the poor, in cales of pecus 
liar hardfhip; and fociety at large would 
receive, with abundant ufury, any ccn- 
tributions from that quarter. 
After all, ailowing for the fake of ex- 
pected conceflion, that as the very pooreft 
of the people are obliged to depend upon 
cafual charity for their fubfiltence, they 
muft therefore be incapable of engaging | 
‘in fuch concerns; the propriety and ad- 
vantage of the plan will {till have room 
for their difplay, if we mount one ftep 
higher in the fcale, and fuppofe the very 
dregs of poverty to be excluded. If all 
cannot be done which benevolence would 
digtate, it furnifhes:no reafon why fome- 
thing fhould not be attempted. A {nia 
beginning may lead to unexpected im- 
provements, and. one years experience 
may 
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