Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

“ A search after what has really augmented their happiness and virtue—after what use and experience have given their sanction to, into facts and existing circumstances—this has never yet been fairly and fully made. For a period of more than two centuries, the attention of the nation has been engaged by a succession of projects, for the management of the poor;—almost all of them originating in benevolence ”

“ We all feel how far we can be led by encouragement—by kindness [1] —by management, and while we retain the idea of choice and freewill. We all know, in our own instances, how little is to be effected by compulsion;—that, where force begins inclination ceases.—Give then its full effect to the master-spring of action, on which equally depends the prosperity of individuals and of empires———the desire implanted in the human breast of bettering its condition. [2] Be it our endeavour that this principle obtain a potent influence on the lower classes of society. ”

“ The principle of all modern improvements in the sciences—in the arts—in every thing in which the industry of man has extended the narrow limits of human knowledge—that principle, without which all is conjecture and hazard, has never yet been properly applied to the concerns of the poor. ”

“ Another imputation on the poor is drunkenness—an odious and pernicious vice, not confined, I fear, to any particular class of men.—Upon this subject, it must be a very great satisfaction to every friend of his country, that the fatal and poisonous custom of dram-drinking is not now so noxiously prevalent among the lower ranks of life as it has been;—the present consumption of British spirits (notwithstanding all our increase of population and manufactures) , being much less than it was half a century ago. ”

“ There is a common theme of declamation, particularly among those who are very little employed themselves, and that is, the idleness of the poor.—How far this is exclusively imputable to the labourer, let those judge who have seen him working by the piece, and not by the day.—I do not mean, by the distinction, to admit any culpable degree of idleness, in those who work by the day ”

“ The manner in which the poor and industrious member of that society has been assisted in the purchase of his cow, and its beneficial consequences both to the individual and to the property with which he is connected, by increasing and improving the stock upon it, is deserving of attention and imitation. ”

“ Of ale and beer, a wholesome and nourishing beverage for the labouring poor, there may be an increased consumption, though, I believe, no excess upon the whole; however it might be wished that the quantity, which they have, were more wisely husbanded and applied by them, to the purposes of their own domestic comfort and enjoyment. ”

“ The noblest and most elevated employments of the human mind lose their importance, when placed in competition with researches, on which the welfare and good conduct of millions may depend; and the result whereof may add as much to national prosperity as to individual benefit. ”

“ The fifth is an account of the jail and house of correction at Dorchester.—When we consider the important consequences of what has been effected there, in annually saving, to the public and to themselves, many persons otherwise abandoned to destruction, we cannot help lamenting that so very few similar instances are to be found in the whole kingdom.——The principle of this reform will apply, with still greater force, to every measure that regards the local and domestic concerns of mankind ”

“ Before we give judgment, however, upon the crimes of the poor, it will be prudence, at least, to examine how far we have, in any degree, been accessories.—If habitual drunkenness be frequently the consequence of weakness of body, or of despondency of mind ”

“ In the next paper, upon fuel, the reader will find a very gratifying proof, that the poor may be easily reconciled to inclosures, or to any other measure of public benefit, where their own feelings and interests are only properly consulted.——The last communication is on parochial relief, and the mode and principle upon which it has been administered by the magistrates of the hundred of Stoke. ”