第9章

Underthislawitisevident，thatnopoormancouldmarrytilltherewasacottagevacanttoreceivehim；fornoinmateswereallowed。Thelastcircumstancewhichremainstobeassigned，ashavingcheckedandpreventedforaseasontheevilconsequences

resultingfromourpoorlaws，istheshameandreproachofbeingrelievedbyaparish:butthesehavelongsinceceasedto

operate。Itishightime，therefore，thatmoreeffectualprovisionshouldbemadefortheprotectionofindustryinaffluence，

andforthereliefofindustryintheseasonsofdistress。

SECT。XIThebestpoliticiansinEuropehavecondemnedthepresentsystemofourpoorlaws。Amongthesewemayreckontwo

greatanddistinguishedwriters；oneuniversallyadmiredforhisincomparableworkonthespiritoflaws；theotherforhis

mostelegantandjudiciouscommentonthelawsofEngland。Anobleman，whostandsforemostamongtheliteratiinthe

northofBritain，hasmorefreelyandmorefullydeliveredhisopinion，andperfectlycoincidesinsentimentwiththoseable

lawyers。Theserespectableauthorshavecondemnedtheprinciples，whilstothershaveblamedonlytheexecutionofour

laws。Butallwhoareevenintheleastdegreeacquaintedwiththesubjecthavelamented，thattwomillionsshouldbe

annuallyexpendedonthepoorwithoutrelievingtheirdistress。

SECT。XIIIfitwerepossibletomeetwithproperpersonstoexecuteourlaws，theywouldnotbesohurtfultothecommunityasthey

areatpresent。Butwhereshallwefindmenqualifiedtobeatoncetrusteesandguardiansforthepublicandforthepoor？

Anoverseershouldbeenduedwithmorethancommonpatience；willingtohearwithcalmnessandcomposurethe

complaintsofthemostuntowardandperverse；blestwithacommandoftempersuchasfewpossess。Heshouldbediligent

andactive，thathemayvisitthehabitationsofthepoor，andexaminewithhisowneyesthenature，theextent，andthe

causeoftheirdistress。Heshouldbeamanofgoodunderstanding，sharp，sensible，andwell—informed，thathemayknow

whatisthebest，thecheapest，andthemosteffectualmethod，atoncetorelieveandtoemploythepoor。Heshouldbea

manofpenetration，quickindiscerning，andreadyindetectingthefalsepretencesofimpostors。Heshouldbeamanofthe

mosthumaneandcompassionatedisposition；notmerelythathemayshedthesympathizingtear，butthathemayexert

himselftotheutmosttocomfortandsupportthesick，andproperlytosweetenthebittercupforthosewhoaredrinking

thedregsoflife。Heshouldbeatthesametimeamanoffirmnessandresolution；nottobewornoutandteazedinto

compliance，noryettobemovedeitherbythreatsorbydeceitfultears。Heshouldbeinexorablyjust，consideringthepublic

fund，outofwhichheistorelievethepoor，asamostsacreddepositcommittedtohiscare，inconfidencethathewill

administerittothebestofhisjudgmentandability。Heshouldbeamanofadisinterestedandhonestdisposition，that，in

thedischargeofthisimportanttrust，hemayneitherdirectlynorindirectlydefraudthepublic，eithertofavourhisfriendsor

topromotehistrade。Inoneword，ifinhimshouldcentrealltheexcellencies，whicharescatteredwithasparinghand

amongthehumanrace；ifhehadnoothertrade，occupation，orpursuitwhichrequiredhisattention；if，thusqualified，he

werewillingtogiveuphistimeforthebenefitofthepublic，andforthecomfortofthepoor；ifasuccessionofsuchwere

tobefound，andiftheirpowerweresupreme，subjecttonocontroulfromtheinterferenceofamagistrate；theburthen

mightyetbctolerable，andsomeoftheevils，naturallyattendantonthepresentsystemofourpoorlaws，insteadofbeingseverelyfelt，wouldforthepresentbeseenonlyatadistance。Manyparisheshavebeensensibleofthisdifficulty，moreespeciallyinthecloathingcounties:butasif，whilsttheyseverely

feltit，theyhadonlyindistinctlyseenit，theyhavemadeapplicationtoparliament，complainingthatthebusinesswastoo

muchfortheattendanceandattentionoffouroverseen；andthereforepraying，thatoneadditionaloverseermightbe

appointedwithabsoluteandsoleauthoritytograntrelief。Theirargumentappearstobeabsurd，buttheirmeaningisprecise

andclear。Theywouldbethusatlibertytochoosethemostproperpersonforthecharge；andhe，havinglittleelsetodo，

couldpaymoreattentiontothebusiness。Theeventhasinsomemeasureansweredtheirexpectation；but，atbest，thiscan

beconsideredonlyasagoodexpedienttopalliateoneofthosemanybadeffectswhichflowfromaperniciouslaw。

SECT。XIIIToremedytheseevils，varioushavebeentheschemesrecommendedtothepublic，bymenwhohavebeenreveredforthe

strengthoftheirunderstandings，theextentoftheirknowledge，andtheuprightnessoftheirintentions。Theyhavechiefly

recommendedpalliatives；andsuchonlyhavebeentried，yetwithlittleorwithnoeffect。Theyhaveindeedcheckedtheevil

foratime，andonlyforatime，toreturnwithaccumulatedforce:for，notwithstandingalltheirefforts，thetaxcollectedto

relievethepoorisswelledinmanyplacesfromtenortwelvepoundsannuallytofivehundredpoundsayear，whereno

manufactureshavebeenestablished；andinthemanufacturingparishes，fromlittleornothingtofifteenhundred，twothousand，andeventhreethousandpoundsayear。Thelegislaturebeganwithrequiringtheconsentoftwojusticesofpeace，beforetheoverseerscouldhavepowertorelieve

thepoor。（15）Theytheninsistedthatnoneshouldberelieved，butthosewhowereputuponthelistbytheparishioners

assembledintheirvestry，orbyauthorityunderthehandofajustice。（16）Afterthisitwasenacted，thatnojusticeofpeace

shouldgrantanorder，withouthavingexamineduponoaththepartymakingapplicationtohimforrelief。（17）Uponalltheseconditionswehearthelegislatureconstantlycomplainingthattheevilstillwentonincreasing。Theexpedientwhichhasbeenmostoftentried，hasbeentocompelboththepauperandhisfamilytoweartheRomanPin

scarierclothupontheirshoulders；（18）andfromthismuchwasexpected，butinvain。Ithasoperated，indeed，asapartial

repealofabadlaw，repealinghoweverallthatcouldbeconsideredasvaluable，andleavingallthatisnoxioustothestate；

discouragingonlytheingenuous，themodest，andthemeek，thattheremaybethemoreforthosewho，losttoshame，have

longsinceforgottoblush。Ofallhumaninventions，nonecanbemorecruelthanthis。Youinvitethepoor，youofferhim

relief，butyouwillgiveitonlyuponthiscondition，thatheshallreceiveitwithamarkofinfamy。Theoverseersareliableto

afine，iftheydonotimposethismarkupontheindigent；butsuchistheirhumanity，thattheyriskthepenaltyratherthan

reproachthewretchedwithhispoverty。Shouldtheygivethisbadgetosome，theymustimposeituponall。Theworthless

andtheimpudentwouldnotregardit；themodestwouldsoonerdiethanwearit。Thereisnodoubtthattimewould

reconcilethemtoit，moreespeciallywhentheysawnoneorfewwithoutit；butthen，whatpurposewoulditanswer？Whilstittookeffect，itwouldbehurtful:whenitceasedtooperate，itwouldbeuseless。###第10章Findingthefutilityofthisdevice，themostcommonrefugehasbeentoparochialandprovincialworkhouses；againstwhich

thereappearinsuperableobjections。Itwasthought，thatwithwatchfulattentionthepoorwoulddomoreworkunderone

roof，andbefedmuchcheaper，thanwhendispersedintheirseveralcottages。Anexpectation，however，whichexperience

hasneveryetconfirmed。Eveninparochialworkhouses，andinthosewhichareunderthebestregulation，thepoordoso

littlework，thattheproduceoftheirlabouralmostescapesournotice，whilsttheyaremaintainedatamostenormous

expence。Intheircottagestheymightlivecomfortablyontheaverageoffourpoundseach；whereasunderthemanagement

ofthepublictheycostfromfivetoten，andeventwelvepoundseach，perannum。Itisnotreasonabletoimagine，thatmen，

deprivedofliberty，willworkforotherswiththesamechearfulactivityaswhenworkingforthemselves；orthattheywill

becontentedwiththehardandhomelyfare，whichtheycouldeatwiththankfulness，whilstasfreementheywere

surroundedwiththeirfriends。Itishopethatmustsweetenallourlabours。Letamanhavenopursuit，noexerciseforhis

hopesandfears，andyoumayaswelltakethemarrowfromhisbones，whichwasdesignedbynaturetosuppleallhis

joints。Youmayfeedhimwell；but，withoutmakinghimamoreusefulmemberinsociety，youwillleavehimtodragona

miserableexistence，aburthentohimselfandtothepublic。Itisnowamaximuniversallyreceived，thattheserviceofaslaveisthedearestservicewhichcanbehad。Letamanconsulthisownfeelings，andthereasonwillbeobvious。Theterrorofbeingsenttoaworkhouseactslikeanabolitionofthepoor\'staxonallwhodreadthelossofliberty。Itisin

effectavirtualrepeal，asfarasitextends，ofthoselaws，whichshouldlongsincehavegivenplacetobetterregulations。

Butunfortunatelythemostworthyobjectssuffermostbythisrepeal，andtheadvantagetothepublicislittlemorethan

negative。Thequietandthecleanlydreadthenoiseandnastiness，evenmorethantheconfinementofaworkhouse。They

pantforthepureandwholesomeair，whichtheycanneverhopetobreathewherenumbersareconfinedwithinnarrow

limits，andsighforthatserenityandpeace，whichtheymustdespairtofindwherethemostprofligateofthehumanspecies

aremettogether。Bythefearofbeingsentencedtosuchsociety，many，whodeserveabetterfate，strugglewithpovertytill

theysinkundertheburthenoftheirmisery。Againstcountyworkhouses，improperlycalledhousesofindustry，the

objectionsaremuchstronger。Thebuildings，thefurniture，thesalaries，thewaste，andtheimposition，everythingisupona

largeandexpensivescale，withoutitsbeingpossibletopreserve，foranylengthoftime，asystemofeconomy。Atfirst，

indeed，theremightbegreatexertion；butthenoveltybeingover，fewgentlemenwouldbefoundpublicspiritedenoughto

continuetheirattendanceandattentiontoabusinessinwhich，asindividuals，theywouldbesolittleinterested，andfor

whichtheymustgiveupmoreimportantormorepleasantengagementsandpursuits。Byexperienceitisfound，that

withoutreckoninginterestupontheprimecostofeitherfurnitureorbuildings，thepoorintheseextensiveestablishments

arenotmaintainedforlessthanIhavestated。Butwhilsttheexperienceissoenormous，aretheyhappy？Farfromhappy，

theyarewretched。Withallthediscomfortsofaparochialworkhouse，theyfeelthemselvesinahopelessstateof

banishmentfromtheirrelationsandconnections。Itistrue，theyeat，theydrink，andtheyaremiserable。Thiskindof

banishmenthasthesameeffectinpartasarepealofthepoorlaws，becausefewarewillingtobethusrelieved。These

housesofindustrycannotbevindicated，eitherinpointofcomfortoreconomy:iftheyhavethereforeanymerit，itcanbe

onlythatkindofmeritwhichIhavestated；andifitbewisetohaverecoursetothem，itwouldbemuchwiserdirectlyto

repealthelaws，againstthedepredationsofwhichthesehousesaretoprotectyourproperty。Acountyworkhouse，atbest，

maybeconsideredasacolonytowhichafewofthesuperabundantmembersofthecommunityhave\'beentransportedto

makeroomforothers；oritmaybeconsideredasanewmanufacture，beneficialinitsprogresstoemploytheidlehands；

beneficial，ifitwerepossibletomakeaprofitontheirlabour；yetlikeothermanufactures，underthepresentsystemofourlaws，increasingthenumberandthedistressesofthepoor。Thatgentlemenoflandedpropertyshouldhavetakenthealarm，andthatallwhofeeltheburthenofthepoorshouldwish

toberelieved，isnottobewonderedat。Yetsurelywemaybepermittedtoexpressastonishment，thatwhenintheyear

1775theHouseofCommonsweretoprovidearemedyforthegrowingevil，noexpedientshouldpresentitself，buttoerectcountyworkhouses。Theyresolved，1。Thatthelawsrelatingtothepooraredefective，andthegoodpurposesintendedbytheminmanyrespectsprevented。2。Thatthemoneyraisedforthereliefofthepoorisagrievous，and，ifnonewregulationsaremade，willbeanincreasingburthenuponthepublic。Theythenrecommendedcountyworkhouses，leavingtheparishesatlibertytodrawatdiscretiononthecountystock，forthereliefofsuchaswerenotproperobjectsforaworkhouse。Thecounties，however，werenotweakenoughtoacceptanofferwhichmusthaveentailedataxoffourshillingsinthe

poundontheirestatesforever，withoutprocuringanybenefittothepublic，totheland—owner，tothefarmer，ortothe

poor，Anotherexperiment，andthelastwhichIshallmention，isthemostabominablethateverwasinvented:itistofarmthe

poor，Insomeparishestheyarefarmedatsomuchanhead，butinothersthecontractisforagivensum。Inoneparishin

Gloucestershireacontractorhadagreedtotakealltheexpenceofthepooruponhimselfforaverymoderate

consideration。Takingthepresentnumbersinconfinement，hehasonlytwoshillingsaweekforeach；yetoutofthisheisto

beatthechargeofalllitigationsandremovals，andtorelieveallotherswhoarenotproperobjectsforaworkhouse，andafteralltomakeaprofitforhimself。Alltheseexpedientshavethesametendency。Theyareadoptedwithaprofessedintentiontolowerthepoorrates；anditis

confessed，thatmanyaretherebydeterredfrommakingapplicationforrelief，whowouldotherwisebeaburthentothe

public。Butthenisnotthisapartial，impolitic，oppressiverepealofabadlaw，withoutreducingthetax；foritcontinuestoincrease，andwithoutmakingabetterprovisionforthoseamongthepoorwhoaremostworthyofattention？Havingthusendeavouredtodisplaytheimperfectionswhicharemostobviousinourmanagementofthepoor，letusnowexaminetheprovisionmadefortheirreliefbyothernations。###第11章Intheearlyagesoftheworldtherecouldbenogreatdifficultyinthismatter，asthequantityoffoodwasmorethancould

beconsumed。Inprocessoftime，whenpropertyhadgotfootingintheworld，they，whohadneitherflocksnorherds，

becameslaves，and，sellingthemselvesforbread，togetherwiththeirchildren，constitutedtheprincipaltreasureoftherich。

Whentherichhadsofirincreasedtheirstock，thattheircattlehadnotsufficientroomtofeed，theyquiltedtheirancient

habitations，andsoughtnewsettlements。Thusitissaid，thatAbrahamwasveryrichincattle，thathehadsheepandoxen，

andmenservantsandmaidservants，andcamelsandasses，andsilverandgold。ThesamenearlywastheprosperityofLot。

Butwhenthelandwasnotabletobearthemwiththeirflocksandwiththeirherds，theyagreedtopart，andLotchosefor

himselftheplainsofJordan。WhentheoffspringofAbrahamsettledinthelandofCanaan，theycontinuedthesamemode

ofrelievingthedistressed，onlywiththisexception，thatintheseventhyearthepoor，whohadsoldhimself，wastogoout

free。Thiscustomofexchangingtheirlibertyforbreadwasfollowedbymostofthenationsuponearth，andwasthegeneral

practiceoftheworld，tillChristianityprevailed，andbecametheestablishedreligionoftheRomanempire。Themilder

geniusofthisreligion，whichproclaimslibertytothecaptive，andtheopeningoftheprisondoorstothemthatarebound，

abhorrenttoslaveryinallitsforms，hasalmostbanishedthatcruelcustomfromourworld；andinitssteadhasmadethe

bestpossibleprovisionforthepoor，leavingthemtobesupportedbythefreebountyoftherich。Itistrue，themistaken

zealofitsfirstconverts，inflamedbytheexpectationofthattranscendentglorywhichthegospelhadrevealedtothem，

pouredcontemptupontheirvisiblepossessionsofhousesandoflands。Thesetheysold，andbeingallofoneheart，andof

onesoul，theyagreedtohaveallthingscommon。（19）Butnosuchcommunityofgoodsreceivedthesanctionofdivine

authority。WhenPeterreproachedAnanias，itwasforhisfalsehoodonly:\"Whilstthelandremained，wasitnotthineown；andafteritwassold，wasitnotinthineownpower？\"（20）Thepositiveinjunctionsofthegospelareclearanddistinct，andshouldneverhavebeenforgot。\"Everymanaccordingas

hepurposethinhisheart，solethimgive；notgrudgingly，orofnecessity:forGodlovethachearfulgiver。\"（21）These

voluntarycontributionswerecollectedonthefirstdayofeveryweek，whentheyassembledat。theirpublicworship。The

Christiandispensationgivesthehighestencouragementtotheoverflowingsofbenevolence，butatthesametimeleaves

everymanatlibertytogiveornottogive，proceedinguponthismaxim，thatitshouldbelawfulforamantodowhathe

willwithhisown。Whilsthoweverthefollowersofthisreligionarelefttotheirownjudgmentanddiscretion，theyare

underthestrongestobligationstobeliberalintheirdonations，andtorelievethedistressesoftheirfellowcreaturestothe

utmostoftheirability。Inthedescriptionofthegreatandfinaljudgmentoftheworld，itissaid，\"WhentheSonofmanshall

comeinhisglory，andalltheholyangelswithhim，thenshallhesituponthethroneofhisglory。Andbeforehimshallbe

gatheredallnations；andheshallseparatethemonefromanother，asashepherddividethhissheepfromthegoats:Andhe

shallsetthesheeponhisrighthand，butthegoatsontheleft。ThenshalltheKingsayuntothemonhisrighthand，Come，

yeblessedofmyFather，inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld。ForIwasanhungered，

andyegavememeat:Iwasthirsty，andyegavemedrink:Iwasastranger，andyetookmein:naked，andyeclothedme:I

wassick，andyevisitedme:Iwasinprison，andyecameuntome。Forinasmuchasyedidituntooneoftheleastofthese

mybrethren，yedidituntome。\"（22）FromthisdescriptionwemustnottoohastilyconcludethatthecharityofChristiansis

tobeindiscriminateandblind。Amongthevariousobjectsofdistressachoiceistobemade，selectingfirstthosewhichare

mostworthy，andreservingtheresidueforthosewhohavenothingbuttheirmiserytoexcitecompassion。Letthevirtuous

citizenbefed，thenlettheprofligateandtheprodigalshareallthatprudenceandfrugalityshallhaveleftbehindthem。To

reversethisorderisneitherpoliticnorjust:forsurelynothingcanbemoreinconsistentwithequity，thantogivethebread

ofindustrytoindolenceandvice。Christiancharitywasnevermeanttodiscouragediligenceandapplication，norto

promoteamongmenawantondissipationoftheirsubstance。TheApostleoftheGentiles，bothbyexampleandbyprecept，

teachesalessonwhichtoomanyamongthepoorhaveyettolearn。Wehearhimthusappealingtohisconverts:\"Wedid

noteatanyman\'sbreadfornought；butwroughtwithlabourandtravelnightandday，thatwemightnotbechargeableto

anyofyou:notbecausewehavenotpower，buttomakeourselvesanexampleuntoyoutofollowus。Forevenwhenwewerewithyou，thiswecommandedyou，thatifanywouldnotwork，neithershouldheeat。\"（23）FormanycenturiesthenationsofEuropehadnootherwayofprovidingfortheirincreasingpoor，whenoccasional

benefactionsbecameinadequatetotheirwants，butbydrivingthemout，likeswarms，toseeknewsettlements。Itwasnot

thendifficultforwarliketribes，issuingforthincountlessnumbers，withtheirflocksandwiththeirherds，tomakean

impression，whenatanytimetheyfumedtheirarmsagainstthepeaceableinhabitantsofmorecultivatedcountries。Butnow

thatallhavequiltedtheshepherdlifeandtakentoagriculture；nowthateachnation，althoughmorenumerousthan

formerly，ishemmedinbynationsequaltoitselfinnumbers，wealth，andmilitaryardour；itisbecomenecessarytoprovide

fortheirpoorathome。Thistheyhaveattemptedbypublichospitalsandprivatebenefactions。Withregardtohospitals，

theyfindthattheseonlyremovetheevilforatime，andintheissueextendtheboundsofextremepovertyand

wretchedness。Theyatfirstpleasedthemselveswiththeidea，thattheyhadputanendtohumanmisery；buttheysoon

founditreturningbackuponthem，andthevacantplaces，whichhadbeenleftbythoseprovidedforintheirpublic

hospitals，filledupagainbyobjectsofdistress。WhenatLionstheyopenedanhospitalwithfortybedsforthereceptionof

thepoor，theycouldfillonlyhalfthatnumber，butnoweighthundredbedsarenotsufficient；andwhentheybuiltthe

hospitalofSaltpetriere，nearParis，ithadfewinhabitants，butnowtheylodgetwelvethousand；andyettotheir

astonishmenttheyfind，thatinsteadofhavingbanisheddistressandpoverty，theyhaveincreasedthenumberofthepoor。

Theeffecthasfilledthemwithamazement；buttheydonotseemtohaveasyetdiscovered，thattheyhavebeenattemptingtostoparapidriverinitsprogress，andtopushbackthewatersoftheoceans。InHollandtheirchiefdependanceisonvoluntarycontributions，andarigidexecutionofthelaws；andinHollandaretobe

seenmoreindustryandfewercriminals，thanaretobefoundinthebestgovernedcountriesinEuropeofthesameextent。