essays-1-第3章
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h company； and the quantity of ground allotted to each corporality is such that each man belonging to it； whether non…commissioned officer or private； has a bed 365 square feet in superficies。
This piece of ground remains his sole property as long as he continues to serve in the regiment； and he is at full liberty to cultivate it in any way； and to dispose of the produce of it in any manner he may think proper。 He must however cultivate it； and plant it； and keep it neat and free from weeds； otherwise； if he should be idle； and neglect it； it would be taken from him and given to one of his more industrious comrades。
The divisions of these military gardens are marked by broader and smaller alleys； covered with gravel； and neatly kept； and in order that every one who chooses it； may be a spectator of this interesting scene of industry； all the principal alleys； which are made large for that purpose； are always open as a public walk。 The effect which this establishment has already produced in the short time （little more than five years） since it was begun； is very striking； and much greater and more important than I could have expected。
The soldiers； from being the most indolent of mortals； and from having very little knowledge of gardening； or of the produce of a garden； for use； are now becoming industrious and skilful cultivators； and they are grown so fond of vegetables； particularly of potatoes； which they raise in great quantities； that these useful and wholesome productions now constitutes a very essential part of their daily food。 And these improvements are also spreading very fast among the farmers and peasants； throughout the whole country。 There is hardly a soldier that goes on furlough； or that returns home at the expiration of his time of service； that does not carry with him a few potatoes for planting； and a little collection of garden…seeds； and I have no doubt but in a very few years we shall see potatoes as much cultivated in Bavaria as in other countries； and that the use of vegetables for food will be generally introduced among the common people。 I have already had the satisfaction to see little gardens here and there making their appearance； in different parts of the country； and I hope that very soon no farmer's house will be found without one。
To assist the soldiers in the cultivation of their gardens； they are furnished with garden utensils gratis； they are likewise furnished from time to time with a certain quantity of manure； and with an assortment of garden…feeds； but they do not rely solely upon these supplies； those who are industrious collect materials in their barracks； and in the streets； for making manure； and even sometimes purchase it； and they raise in their own gardens most of the garden…seeds they stand in need of。 To enable them to avail themselves of their gardens as early in the spring as possible； in supplying their tables with green vegetables； each company is furnished with a hot…bed for raising early plants。
To attach the soldiers more strongly to these their little possessions； by increasing their comfort and convenience in the cultivation and enjoyment of them； a number of little summer…houses； or rather huts； one to each company； have been erected for the purpose of shelter； where they can retire when it rains； or when they are fatigued。
All the officers of the regiments； from the highest to the lowest； are ordered to give the men every assistance in the cultivation of these their gardens； but they are forbidden； upon pain of the severest punishment； to appropriate to themselves any part of the produce of them； or even to receive any part of it in presents。
CHAPTER。 I。
Of the prevalence of mendicity in Bavaria at the time when the measures for putting an end to it were adopted。
Among the various measures that occurred to me by which the military establishment of the country might be made subservient to the public good in time of peace； none appeared to be of so much importance as that of employing the army in clearing the country of beggers； thieves and other vagabonds； and in watching over the public tranquillity。
But in order to clear the country of beggers； （the number of whom in Bavaria had become quite intolerable；） it was necessary to adopt general and efficacious measures for maintaining and supporting the Poor。 Laws were not wanting to oblige each community in the country to provide for its own Poor； but these laws had been so long neglected； and beggary had become so general； that extraordinary measures； and the most indefatigable exertions； were necessary to put a stop to this evil。 The number of itinerant beggars； of both sexes； and all ages； as well foreigners as natives； who strolled about the country in all directions。 levying contributions from the industrious inhabitants； stealing and robbing； and leading a life of indolence； and the most shameless debauchery； was quite incredible； and so numerous were the swarms of beggars in all the great towns； and particularly in the capital； so great their impudence； and so persevering their importunity； that it was almost impossible to cross the streets without being attacked； and absolutely forced to satisfy their clamorous demands。 And these beggars were in general by no means such as from age or bodily infirmities were unable by their labour to earn their livelihood； but they were for the most part； stout； strong； healthy； sturdy beggars； who； lost to every sense of shame； had embraced the profession from choice； not necessity； and who； not unfrequently； added insolence and threats to their importunity； and extorted that from fear； which they could not procure by their arts of dissimulation。
These beggars not only infested all the streets； public walks； and public places； but they even made a practice of going into private houses； where they never failed to steal whatever fell in their way； if they found the doors open； and nobody at home； and the churches were so full of them that it was quite a nuisance； and a public scandal during the performance of divine service。 People at their devotions were continually interrupted by them； and were frequently obliged to satisfy their demands in order to be permitted to finish their prayers in peace and quite。
In short； these detestable vermin swarmed every where； and not only their impudence and clamorous importunity were without any bounds； but they had recourse to the most diabolical arts； and most horrid crimes； in the prosecution of their infamous trade。 Young children were stolen from their parents by these wretches； and their eyes put out； or their tender limbs broken and distorted； in order； by exposing them thus maimed； to excite the pity and commiseration of the public； and every species of artifice was made use of to agitate the sensibility； and to extort the contributions of the humane and charitable。
Some of these monsters were so void of all feeling as to expose even their own children； naked； and almost starved； in the streets； in order that； by their cries and unaffected expressions of distress； they might move those who passed by to pity and relieve them； and in order to make them act their part more naturally； they were unmercifully beaten when they came home； by their inhuman parents； if they did not bring with them a certain sum； which they were ordered to collect。
I have frequently seen a poor child of five or six years of age； late at night； in the most inclement season； sitting down almost naked at the corner of a street； and crying most bitterly； if he were asked what was the matter with him； he would answer； 〃I am cold and hungry； and afraid to go home； my mother told me to bring home twelve creutzers； and I have only been able to beg five。 My mother will certainly beat me if I don't carry home twelve creutzers。〃 Who could refuse so small a sum to relieve so much unaffected distress？But what horrid arts are these； to work upon the feelings of the public； and levy involuntary contributions for the support of idleness and debauchery！
But the evils arising from the prevalence of mendicity did not stop here。 The public； worn out and vanquished by the numbers and persevering importunity of the beggars； and freq
