Individual, compared with the inestimable prize to be obtained;-compared with the prospect of promoting, in any degree, or to any extent, the present and future happiness of our fellow creatures;-compared with the hope, that, under the divine blessing, the benefit of our feeble and limited efforts, may be extended to distant lands, and to future ages.

While we look back on past labour, it may be useful to endeavour to apply our information to practicable and attainable objects. With this desire, I have submitted, in the preceding Volume, " A short View of different Proposals which have been made

66

respecting the Poor during the two preced

ing Centuries."* I shall now offer some observations upon these proposals, and attempt to point out what appears to be their general and radical defect. I will venture then to state, what I trust will be found THE ONLY BASIS upon which any effectual and permanent improvement can ever be made, * See Appendix, No. XV.

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in the utility and welfare of that class of our fellow subjects; and conclude with proposing for consideration, the principles and manner, in which measures for diminishing the present burthen of the poor, and for increasing their happiness* and utility, may be formed and arranged.

The introduction of commerce and manufactures into England, in the fourOrigin of the teenth century, while it laid the Poor Laws. foundations of CIVIL LIBERTY, gave birth to

* It should however be premised, that we are not proceeding upon the vague and unfounded idea, that the present is a period of peculiar hardship; or that distant countries and former ages have been more favourable than the present, to the condition of the labouring class. It is correctly stated by Sir Frederick Eden, (Vol. I. p. 560), that " no period during the present reign can be adduced, in which the condition of the day-labourer has not been much more comfortable, than that of the same class of people, in what are often called the good old times of former reigns."-We do not, however, enquire whether former times have been more or less favourable to the poor. It is enough for us to know that measures for the melioration of their CHARACTER AND CONDITION, are congenial to the feelings of social man, are conducive to the prosperity and permanency of the state, and above all are conformable to the spirit and principles of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

J

Individual, compared with the inestimable prize to be obtained;-compared with the prospect of promoting, in any degree, or to any extent, the present and future happiness of our fellow creatures ;-compared with the hope, that, under the divine blessing, the benefit of our feeble and limited efforts, may be extended to distant lands, and to future ages.

66

While we look back on past labour, it may be useful to endeavour to apply our information to practicable and attainable objects. With this desire, I have submitted, in the preceding Volume, " A short View of different Proposals which have been made respecting the Poor during the two preced"ing Centuries."* I shall now offer some observations upon these proposals, and attempt to point out what appears to be their general and radical defect. I will venture then to state, what I trust will be found THE ONLY BASIS. upon which any effectual and permanent improvement can ever be made, * See Appendix, No. XV.

in the utility and welfare of that class of our fellow subjects; and conclude with proposing for consideration, the principles and manner, in which measures for diminishing the present burthen of the poor, and for increasing their happiness* and utility, may be formed and arranged.

The introduction of commerce and manufactures into England, in the four- Origin of the teenth century, while it laid the Poor Laws. foundations of CIVIL LIBERTY, gave birth to

* It should however be premised, that we are not proceeding upon the vague and unfounded idea, that the present is a period of peculiar hardship; or that distant countries and former ages have been more favourable than the present, to the condition of the labouring class. It is correctly stated by Sir Frederick Eden, (Vol. I. p. 560), that " no period during the present reign can be adduced, in which the condition of the day-labourer has not been much more comfortable, than that of the same class of people, in what are often called the good old times of former reigns."-We do not, however, enquire whether former times have been more or less favourable to the poor. It is enough for us to know that measures for the melioration of their CHARACTER AND CONDITION, are congenial to the feelings of social man, are conducive to the prosperity and permanency of the state, and above all are conformable to the spirit and principles of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

Individual, compared with the inestimable prize to be obtained;-compared with the prospect of promoting, in any degree, or to any extent, the present and future happiness of our fellow creatures;-compared with the hope, that, under the divine blessing, the benefit of our feeble and limited efforts, may be extended to distant lands, and to future ages.

While we look back on past labour, it may be useful to endeavour to apply our information to practicable and attainable objects. With this desire, I have submitted, in the preceding Volume, "A short View of different Proposals which have been ma respecting the Poor during the two p ing Centuries."* I shall now o

66

66

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