essays-1-第27章
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To the improper use of them may be attributed all the disorders of civil society。To the improper or careless use of them may； most unquestionably； be attributed the prevalence of poverty； misery； and mendicity in most countries； and particularly in Great Britain； where the healthfulness and mildness of the climatethe fertility of the soilthe abundance of fuelthe numerous and flourishing manufacturesthe extensive commerce and the millions of acres of waste lands which still remain to be cultivated； furnish the means of giving useful employment to all its inhabitants； and even to a much more numerous population。
But if instead of encouraging the laudable exertions of useful industry； and assisting and relieving the unfortunate and the infirm（the only real objects of charity；）the means designed for those purposes are so misapplied as to operate as rewards to idleness and immorality； the greater the sums are which are levied on the rich for the relief of the poor； the more numerous will that class become； and the greater will be their profligacy； their insolence； and their shameless and clamorous importunity。
There is； it cannot be denied； in man； a natural propensity to sloth and indolence； and though habits of industry；like all habits；may render those exertions easy and pleasant which at first are painful and irksome； yet no person； in any situation； ever chose labour merely for its own sake。 It is always the apprehension of some greater evil；or the hope of some enjoyment； by which mankind are compelled or allured； when they take to industrious pursuits。
In the rude state of savage nature the wants of men are few； and these may all be easily supplied without the commission of any crime； consequently industry； under such circumstances； is not necessary； nor can indolence be justly considered as a vice； but in a state of civil society； where population is great； and the means of subsistence not to be had without labour； or without defrauding others of the fruits of their industry； idleness becomes a crime of the most fatal tendency； and consequently of the most heinous nature； and every means should be used to discountenance； punish； and prevent it。
And we see that Providence； ever attentive to provide remedies for the disorders which the progress of society occasions in the world； has provided for idlenessas soon as the condition of society renders it a vice； but not beforea punishment every way suited to its nature； and calculated to prevent its prevalency and pernicious consequences：This is WANT；and a most efficacious remedy it is for the evil；when the WISDOM OF MAN does not interfere to counteract it； and prevent its salutary effects。
But reserving the father investigation of this part of my subject that respecting the means to be used for encouraging industry to some future opportunity； I shall now endeavour to show； in a few words； how； under the most unfavourable circumstances； an arrangement for putting an end to mendicity； and introducing a spirit of industry among the Poor； might be introduced and carried into execution。
If I am obliged to take a great circuit； in order to arrive at my object； it must be remembered； that where a vast weight is to be raised by human means； a variety of machinery must necessarily be provided； and that it is only by bringing all the different powers employed to act together to the same end； that the purpose in view can be attained。 It will likewise be remembered； that as no mechanical power can be made to act without a force be applied to it sufficient to overcome the resistance； not only of the vis inertia； but also of friction； so no moral agent can be brought to act to any given end without sufficient motives； that is to say； without such motives as THE PERSON WHO IS TO ACT may deem sufficient； not only to decide his opinion； but also to OVERCOME HIS INDOLENCE。
The object proposed；the relief of the Poor； and the providing for their future comfort and happiness； by introducing among them a spirit of order and industry； is such as cannot fail to meet with the approbation of every well…disposed person。But I will suppose； that a bare conviction of the UTILITY of the measure is not sufficient alone to overcome the indolence of the Public； and induce them to engage ACTIVELY in the undertaking；yet as people are at all times； and in all situations； ready enough to do what they FEEL to be their interest； if； in bringing forward a scheme of public utility； the proper means be used to render it so interesting as to awaken the CURIOSITY； and fix the attention of the Public； no doubts can be entertained of the possibility of carrying it into effect。
In arranging such a plan； and laying it before the Public； no small degree of knowledge of mankind； and particularly of the various means of acting on them； which are peculiarly adapted to the different stages of civilization； or rather of the political refinement and corruption of society； would； in most cases； be indispensably necessary； but with that knowledge； and a good share of zeal； address； prudence； and perseverance； there are few schemes； in which an honest man would wish to be concerned； that might not be carried into execution in any country。
In such a city as London； where there is great wealth；public spirit；enterprize；and zeal for improvement； little more； I flatter myself； would be necessary to engage all ranks to unite in carrying into effect such a scheme； than to show its public utility； and； above all； to prove that there IS NO JOB at the bottom of it。
It would； however； be advisable； in submitting to the Public； Proposals for forming such an Establishment； to show that those who are invited to assist in carrying it into execution； would not only derive from it much pleasure and satisfaction； but also many real advantages； for too much pains can never be taken to interest the Public individually； and directly； in the success of measures tending to promote the general good of society。
The following Proposals； which I will suppose to be made by some person of known and respectable character； who has courage enough to engage in so arduous an undertaking； will show my ideas upon this subject in the clearest manner。Whether they are well founded； must be left to the reader to determine。As to myself； I am so much persuaded that the scheme here proposed； by way of example； and merely for illustration； might be executed； that； had I time for the undertaking； （which I have not；） I should not hesitate to engage in it。
PROPOSALS for forming by private subscription； an ESTABLISHMENT for feeding the Poor； and giving them useful Employment；
And also for furnishing Food at a cheap Rate to others who may stand in need of such Assistance。 Connected with an INSTITUTION for introducing； and bringing forward into general Use； new Inventions and Improvements； particularly such as relate to the Management of Heat and the saving of Fuel； and to various other mechanical Contrivances by which DOMESTIC COMFORT and ECONOMY may be promoted。 Submitted to the Public； By A。 B。
The Author of these Proposals declares solemnly； in the face of the whole world； that he has no interested view whatever in making these Proposals； but is actuated merely and simply by a desire to do good； and promote the happiness and prosperity of society； and the honour and reputation of his country。That he never will demand； accept； or receive any pay or other recompence or reward of any kind whatever from any person or persons； for his services or trouble； in carrying into execution the proposed scheme； or any part thereof； or for anything he may do or perform in future relating to it； or to any of its details or concerns。
And； moreover； that he never will avail himself of any opportunities that may offer in the execution of the plan proposed； for deriving profit； emolument； or advantage of any kind； either for himself； his friends； or connections；but that； on the contrary； he will take upon himself to be personally responsible to the Public； and more immediately to the Subscribers to this Undertaking； that NO PERSON shall FIND MEANS to make a job of the proposed Establishment； or of any of the details of its
