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ed out who are more immediately called upon to come forward with Schemes for the Relief of the Poor； and to give their active Assistance in carrying them into Effect。
CHAPTER。 IV。 Of the Necessity of effectual Measures for introducing a Spirit of Industry among the Poor in forming an Establishment for their Relief and Support。 Of the Means which may be used for that Purpose； and for setting on foot a Scheme for forming an Establishment for feeding the Poor。
CHAPTER。 V。 Of the Means which may be used by Individuals in affluent Circumstances for the Relief of the Poor in their Neighbourhood。
ESSAY II。
CHAPTER。 I。
General View of the Subject。 Deplorable State of those who are reduced to Poverty。 No Body of Laws can be so framed as to provide efficaciously for their Wants。 Only adequate Relief that can be afforded them must be derived from the voluntary Assistance of the Humane and Benevolent。 How that Assistance is to be secured。 Objections to the Expence of taking care of the Poor answered Of the Means of introducing a Scheme for the Relief of the Poor。
Though the fundamental principles upon which the Establishment for the Poor at Munich is founded； are such as I can venture to recommend； and notwithstanding the fullest information relative to every part of that Establishment may； I believe； be collected from the account of it which is given in the foregoing Essay； yet； as this information is so dispersed in different parts of the work； and so blended with a variety of other particulars； that the reader would find some difficulty in bringing the whole into one view； and arranging it systematically in a complete whole； I shall endeavour briefly to resume the subject； and give the result of all my enquiries relative to it； in a more concise； methodical； and useful form： and as from the experience； I have had in providing for the wants of the Poor； and reclaiming the indolent and vicious to habits of useful industry； I may venture to consider myself authorised to speak with some degree of confidence upon the subject； instead of merely recapitulating what has been said of the Establishment for the Poor at Munich； （which would be at best but a tiresome repetition；） I shall now allow myself a greater range in these investigations； and shall give my opinions without restraint which may come under consideration。 And though the system I shall propose； is founded upon the successful experiments made at Munich； as may be seen by comparing it with the details of that Establishment； yet； as a difference in the local circumstances under which an operation is performed； must necessarily require certain modifications of the plan； I shall endeavour to take due notice of every modification which may appear to me to be necessary＇1＇。
Before I enter upon those details； it may be proper to take a more extensive survey of the subject； and investigate the general and fundamental Principles on which an Establishment for the Relief of the Poor； in every country； ought to be founded。 At the same time I shall consider the difficulties which are generally understood to be inseparable from such an undertaking； and endeavour to show that they are by no means insurmountable。
That degree of poverty which involves in it the inability to procure the necessaries of life without the charitable assistance of the Public； is； doubtless； the heaviest of all misfortunes； as it not only brings along with it the greatest physical evils； pain；and disease； but is attended by the most mortifying humiliation； and hopeless despondency。 It is； moreover； an incurable evil； and is rather irritated than alleviated by the remedies commonly applied to remove it。 The only alleviation； of which it is capable； must be derived from the kind and soothing attentions of the truly benevolent。 This is the only balm which can sooth the anguish of a wounded heart； or allay the agitations of a mind irritated by disappointment； and rendered ferocious by despair。
And hence it evidently appears that no body of laws； however wisely framed； can； in any country； effectually provide for the relief of the Poor； without the voluntary assistance of individuals； for though taxes may be levied by authority of the laws for the support of the Poor； yet； those kind attentions which are so necessary in the management of the Poor； as well to reclaim the vicious； as to comfort and encourage the despondentthose demonstrations of concern which are always so great a consolation to persons in distresscannot be COMMANDED BY FORCE。 On the contrary； every attempt to use FORCE in such cases； seldom fails to produce consequences directly contrary to those intended＇2＇。
But if the only effectual relief for the distress of the Poor； and the sovereign remedy for the numerous evils to society which arise from the prevalence of mendicity； indolence； poverty； and misery； among the lower classes of society； must be derived from the charitable and voluntary exertions of individuals； as the assistance of the Public cannot be expected； unless the most unlimited confidence can be placed； not only in the wisdom of the measures proposed； but also； and MORE ESPECIALLY； in the UPRIGHTNESS； ZEAL； and PERFECT DISINTERESTEDNESS of the persons appointed to carry them into execution； it is evident that the first object to be attended to； in forming a plan of providing for the Poor； is to make such arrangements as will COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC； and fix it upon the most solid and durable foundation。
This can most certainly； and most effectually be done； first by engaging persons of high rank and the most respectable character to place themselves at the head of the Establishment： secondly； by joining； in the general administration of the affairs of the Establishment； a certain number of persons chosen from the middling class of society； reputable tradesmen； in easy circumstances；heads of families；and others of known integrity and of humane dispositions＇3＇： thirdly； by engaging all those who are employed in the administration of the affairs of the Poor； to serve without fee or reward： fourthly； by publishing； at stated periods； such particular and authentic accounts of all receipts and expenditures； that no doubt can possibly be entertained by the Public respecting the proper application of the monies destined for the relief of the Poor： fifthly； by publishing an alphabetical list of all who receive alms； in which list should be inserted； not only the name of the person； his age； condition； and place of abode； but also the amount of the weekly assistance granted to him； in order that those who entertain any doubts respecting the manner in which the Poor are provided for； may have the opportunity of visiting them at their habitations； and making enquiry into their real situations： and lastly； the confidence of the Public； and the continuance of their support； will most effectually be secured by a prompt and successful execution of the plan adopted。
There is scarcely a greater plague that can infest society； than swarms of beggars； and the inconveniencies to individuals arising from them are so generally； and so severely felt； that relief from so great an evil cannot fail to produce a powerful and lasting effect upon the minds of the Public； and to engage all ranks to unite in the support of measures as conducive to the comfort of individuals； as they are essential to the national honor and reputation。 And even in countries where the Poor do not make a practice of begging； the knowledge of their sufferings must be painful to every benevolent mind； and there is no person； I would hope； so callous to the feelings of humanity； as not to rejoice most sincerely when effectual relief is afforded。
The greatest difficulty attending the introduction of any measure founded upon the voluntary support of the Public； for maintaining the Poor； and putting an end to mendicity； is an opinion generally entertained； that a very heavy expence would be indispensably necessary to carry into execution such an undertaking。 But this difficulty may be speedily removed by showing； （which may easily be done；） that the execution of a well…arranged plan for providing for the Poor； and giving useful employment to the idle and indolent； so far from being expensive； must； in the end； be attended with a very considerable saving； not only to the Public collectively； but also to individuals。
Those who now extort their subsistence by begging and stealing； are； in fact； already maintained by the Public。 But this is not all； they are maintained in a manner the most expensive and troublesome； to themselves and the Public； that can be conceived； and this may be said of all the Poor in general。
A poor person； who lives in poverty and misery； and merely from hand to mouth； has not the power of availing himself of any of those economical arrangements； in procuring the necessaries of life； which other； in more affluent circumstances； may employ； and which may be employed with peculiar advantage in a public Establishment。Added to this； the greater part of the Poor； as well those who make a profession of begging； as other who do not； might be usefully employed i