Second Essay
CHAP. 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 effectually 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 Expense of taking care of the Poor answered.--Of the
Means of introducing a Scheme for the Relief of the Poor.
CHAP. II.
Of the Extent of an Establishment for the Poor.-- Of the Division of a Town or City into Districts. --
Of the Manner of carrying on the Business of a public Establishment for the Poor.-- Of the Necessity of
numbering all the Houses in a Town where an Establishment for the Poor is formed.
CHAP. III.
General Direction of the Affairs of an Institution for the Poor attended with no great Trouble.--
Of the best Method of carrying on the current Business, and of the great Use of printed Forms, or Blanks. --
Of the necessary Qualifications of those who are placed at the Head of an Establishment for the Relief
of the Poor.--Great Importance of this Subject.--Cruelty and Impolicy of putting the Poor into the Hands
of Persons they cannot respect and love.--The Persons pointed 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.
CHAP. 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.
CHAP. V.
Of the Means which may be used by Individuals in affluent Circumstances for the Relief of the
Poor in their Neighbourhood.
Go to next essay
CHAP. 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 necessary1.
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
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