按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ered as tiresome and uninteresting。 But if it be true； that we are really happy only in proportion as we ought to be so； that is； in proportion as we are instrumental in promoting the happiness of others； no study surely can be so interesting； as that which teaches us how most effectually to contribute to the well…being of our fellow…creatures。
If LOVE be blind； SELF…LOVE is certainly very short…sighted； and without the assistance of reason and reflection； is but a bad guide in the pursuit of happiness。
Those who take pleasure in depreciating all the social virtues have represented pity as a mere selfish passion； and there are some circumstances which appear to justify this opinion。 It is certain that the misfortunes of others affect us； not in proportion to their greatness； but in proportion to their nearness to ourselves； or to the chances that they may reach us in our turns。 A rich man is infinitely more affected at the misfortune of his neighbour； who； by the failure of a banker with whom he had trusted the greater part of his fortune；by an unlucky run at play；or by other losses； is reduced to a state of affluence； to the necessity of laying down his carriage； leaving the town；and retiring into the country upon a few hundreds a…year；than by the total ruin of the industrious tradesman over the way； who is dragged to prison； and his numerous family of young and helpless children left to starve。
But however selfish pity may be； BENEVOLENCE certainly springs from a more noble origin。 It is a good…natured；generous sentiment； which does not require being put to the torture in order to be stimulated to action。 And it is this sentiment； not pity； or compassion； which I would wish to excite。
Pity is always attended with pain； and if our sufferings at being witnesses of the distresses of others； sometimes force us to relieve them； we can neither have much merit； nor any lasting satisfaction； from such involuntary acts of charity； but the enjoyments which result from acts of genuine benevolence are as lasting as they are exquisitely delightful； and the more they contribute to that inward peace of mind and self…approbation； which alone constitute real happiness。 This is the 〃soul's calm sun…shine； and the heart…felt joy；〃 which is virtue's prize。
To induce mankind to engage in any enterprise； it is necessary； first； to show that success will be attended with real advantage； and secondly； that is may be obtained without much difficulty。 The rewards attendant upon acts of benevolence have so often been described and celebrated； in every country and in every language； that it would be presumption in me to suppose I could add any thing new upon a subject already discussed by the greatest masters of rhetoric； and embellished with all the irresistible charms of eloquence； but as EXAMPLE OF SUCCESS are sometimes more efficacious in stimulating mankind to action； than the most splendid reasonings and admonitions； it is upon my SUCCESS in the enterprise of which I have undertaken to give an account； that my hopes of engaging others to follow such an example are chiefly founded； and hence it is； that I so often return to that part of my subject； and insist with so much perseverance upon the pleasure which this success afforded me。 I am aware that I expose myself to being suspected of ostentation； particularly by those who are not able to enter fully into my situation and feelings； but neither this； nor any other consideration； shall prevent me from treating the subject in such a manner as may appear best adapted to render my labours of public utility。
Why should I not mention even the marks of affectionate regard and respect which I received from the poor people for those happiness I interested myself； and the testimonies of the public esteem with which I was honored？Will it be reckoned vanity； if I mention the concern which the Poor of Munich expressed in so affecting a manner when I was dangerously ill？that they went publicly in a body in procession to the cathedral church； where they had divine service performed； and put up public prayers for my recovery？that four years afterwards； on hearing that I was again dangerously ill at Naples。 they； of their own accord； set apart an hour each evening； after they had finished their work in the Military Work…house； to pray for me？
Will it be thought improper to mention the affecting reception I met with from them； at my first visit to the Military Work…house upon my return to Munich last summer； after an absence of fifteen months； a scene which drew tears from all who were present？and must I refute myself the satisfaction of describing the fete I gave them in return； in the English Garden； at which 1800 poor people of all ages； and above 30；000 of the inhabitants of Munich； assisted？ and all this pleasure I must forego； merely that I may not be thought vain and ostentatious？Be it so then； but I would just beg leave to call the reader's attention to my feelings upon the occasion； and then let him ask himself； if any earthly reward can possibly be supposed greater；any enjoyments more complete； than those I received。 Let him figure to himself； if he can； my situation； sick in bed； worn out by intense application； and dying； as every body thought； a martyr in the cause to which I had devoted myself；let him imagine； I say； my feelings； upon hearing the confused noise of the prayers of a multitude of people； who were passing by in the streets； upon being told； that it was the Poor of Munich； many hundreds in number； who were going in procession to the church to put up public prayers for me：public prayers for me！for a private person！a stranger！a protestant！I believe it is the first instance of the kind that ever happened；and I dare venture to affirm that no proof could well be stronger than this； that the measures adopted for making these poor people happy； were really successful；and let it be remembered； that this fact is what I am most anxious to make appear； IN THE CLEAREST AND MOST SATISFACTORY MANNER。
CHAPTER。 VIII。
Of the means used for the relief of those poor persons who were not beggars。 Of the large sums of money distributed to the poor in alms。 Of the means used for rendering those who received alms industrious。 Of the general utility of the house of industry to the poor； and the distressed of all denominations。 Of public kitchens for feeding the poor； united with establishments for giving them employment； and of the great advantages which would be derived from forming them in every parish。 Of the manner in which the poor of Munich are lodged。
In giving an account of the Poor of Munich。 I have hitherto confined myself chiefly to one class of them；the beggars； but I shall now proceed to mention briefly the measures which were adopted to relieve others； who never were beggars； from those distresses and difficulties in which poverty and the inability to provide the necessaries of life had involved them。
An establishment for the Poor should not only provide for the relief and support of those who are most forward and clamorous in calling out for assistance；humanity and justice require that peculiar attention should be paid to those who are bashful and silent。To those； who； in addition to all the distresses arising from poverty and want； feel； that is still more insupportable to their unfortunate and hopeless situation。
All those who stood in need of assistance were invited and encouraged to make known their wants to the committee placed at the head of the institution； and in no case was the necessary assistance refused。That this relief was generously bestowed； will not be doubted by those who are informed that the sums distributed in alms； IN READY MONEY to the Poor of Munich in FIVE YEARS； exclusive of the expences incurred in feeding and clothing them； amounted to above TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND FLORINS＇13＇。
But the sums of money distributed among the Poor in alms was not the only； and perhaps not the most important assistance that was given them。THEY WERE TAUGHT AND ENCOURAGED TO BE INDUSTRIOUS； and they probably derived more essential advantages from the fruits of their industry； than from all the charitable donations they received。
All who were able to earn any thing by their labour； were furnished with work； and effectual measures taken to excite them to be industrious。In fixing the amount of the sums in money； which they receive weekly upon stated days； care was always taken to find out how much the person applying for relief was in a condition to earn； and only just so much was granted； as； when added to these earnings； would be sufficient to provide the necessaries of life； or such of them as were not otherwise furnished by the institution。 But even this precaution would not alone have been sufficient to have obliged those who were disposed to be idle； to become industrious； for； with the assistance of the small allowances which were granted； they might have found means； by stealing； or other fraudulent practices； to have subsisted without working； and the sums allowed them would have only served as an encouragement to idleness。This evil； which is always much to be apprehended in establishments for the Poor； and which is always most fatal