essays-1-第32章
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nd certainly would； in many cases； be possible； even without any new laws or acts of parliament being necessary to authorize the undertaking； to substitute the arrangements proposed in the place of the old method of providing for the Poor；abolishing entirely； or in so far as it should be found necessary；the old system； and carrying the scheme proposed into execution as a GENERAL MEASURE。
In all cases where this can be effected； it ought certainly to be preferred to any private or less general institution； and individuals； who； by their exertions； are instrumental in bringing about so useful a change； will render a very essential service to society：But even in cases where it would not be possible to carry the scheme proposed into execution in its fullest extent； much good may be done by individuals in affluent circumstances to the Poor； by forming PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENTS for feeding them and giving them employment。
Much relief may likewise be afforded them by laying in a large stock of fuel； purchased when it is cheap； and retailing it out to them in small quantities； in times of scarcity； at the prime cost。
It is hardly to be believed how much the Poor of Munich have been benefited by the Establishment of the Wood…magazine； from whence they are furnished in winter； during the severe frosts； with fire…wood at the price it costs when purchased in summer； in large quantities； and at the cheapest rate。 And this arrangement may easily be adopted in all countries； and by private individuals as well as by communities。 Stores may likewise be laid in of potatoes； peas； beans； and other articles of food； to be distributed to the Poor in like manner； in small quantities； and at low prices； which will be a great relief to them in times of scarcity。 It will hardly be necessary for me to observe； that in administering this kind of relief to the Poor it will often be necessary to take precautions to prevent abuses。
Another way in which private individuals may greatly assist the Poor； is； by showing them how they may make themselves more comfortable in their dwellings。 Nothing is more perfectly miserable and comfortless than the domestic arrangement of poor families in general； they seem to have no idea whatever of order or economy in any thing； and every thing about them is dreary； sad； and neglected； in the extreme。 A little attention to order and arrangement would contribute greatly to their comfort and conveniences； and also to economy。 They ought in particular to be shown how to keep their habitations warm in winter； and to economise fuel； as well in heating their rooms； as in cooking； washing； etc。
It is not to be believed what the waste of fuel really is； in the various processes in which it is employed in the economy of human life； and in no case is this waste greater than in the domestic management of the Poor。 Their fire…places are in general constructed upon the most wretched principles； and the fuel they consume in them； instead of heating their rooms； not unfrequently renders them really colder； and more uncomfortable； by causing strong currents of cold air to flow in from all the doors and windows to the chimney。 This imperfection of their fire…places may be effectually remedied；these currents of cold air prevented；above half their fuel saved；and their dwellings made infinitely more comfortable； merely by diminishing their fire…places； and the throats of their chimnies just above the mantle…piece； which may be done as a very every trifling expence； with a few bricks； or stones； and a little mortar； by the most ordinary bricklayer。 And with regard to the expence of fuel for cooking； so simple a contrivance as an earthen pot； broad at top； for receiving a stew…pan； or kettle； and narrow at bottom； with holes through its sides near the bottom； for letting in air under a small circular iron grate； and other small holes near the top for letting out the smoke； may be introduced with great advantage。 By making use of this little portable furnace； （which is equally well adapted to burn wood； or coals。）one eighth part of the fuel will be sufficient for cooking； which would be required were the kettle to be boiled over an open fire。To strengthen this portable furnace； it may be hooped with iron hoops； or bound round with strong iron wire：but I forget that I am anticipating the subject of a future Essay。
Much good may also be done to the Poor by teaching them how to prepare various kinds of cheap and wholesome food； and to render them savoury and palatable。The art of cookery； notwithstanding its infinite importance to mankind； has hitherto been little studied； and among the more indigent classes of society； where it is most necessary to cultivate it； it seems to have been most neglected。No present that could be made to a poor family could be of more essential service to them than a thin； light stew…pan； with its cover； made of wrought； or cast iron； and fitted to a portable furnace； or close fire…place； constructed to save fuel； with two or three approved receipts for making nourishing and savoury soups and broths at a small expence。
Such a present might alone be sufficient to relieve a poor family from all their distresses； and make them permanently comfortable； for the expences of a poor family for food might； I am persuaded； in most cases be diminished ONE HALF by a proper attention to cookery； and to the economy of fuel； and the change in the circumstances of such a family； which would be produced by reducing their expenses for food to one half what it was before； is easier to be conceived than described。
It would hardly fail to re…animate the courage of the most desponding；to cheer their drooping spirits； and stimulate them to fresh exertions in the pursuits of useful industry。
As the only effectual means of putting an end to the sufferings of the Poor is the introduction of a spirit of industry among them； individuals should never lose sight of that great and important object； in all the measures they may adopt to relieve them。But in endeavouring to make the Poor industrious； the utmost caution will be necessary to prevent their being disgusted。Their minds are commonly in a state of great irritation； the natural consequences of their sufferings； and of their hopeless situation； and their suspicions of every body about them； and particularly of those who are set over them； are so deeply rooted that it is sometimes extremely difficult to sooth and calm the agitation of their minds； and gain their confidence。 This can be soonest and most effectually done by kind and gentle usage； and I am clearly of opinion that no other means should ever be used； except it be with such hardened and incorrigible wretches as are not to be reclaimed by any means； but of these； I believe； there are very few indeed。I have never yet found one； in all the course of my experience in taking care of the Poor。
We have sometimes been obliged to threaten the most idle and profligate with the house of correction； but these threats； added to the fear of being banished from the House of Industry； which has always been held up and considered as the greatest punishment； have commonly been sufficient for keeping the unruly in order。
If the force of example is irresistible in debauching men's minds； and leading them into profligate and vicious courses； it is not less so in reclaiming them； and rendering them orderly； docile； and industrious； and hence the infinite importance of collecting the Poor together in Public Establishments； where every thing about them is animated by unaffected cheerfulness； and by that pleasing gaiety； and air of content and satisfaction； which always enliven the busy scenes of useful industry。
I do not believe it would be possible for any person to be idle in the House of Industry at Munich。 I never saw any one idle； often as I have passed through the working…rooms； nor did I ever see any one to whom the employments of industry seemed to be painful or irksome。
Those who are collected together in the public rooms destined for the reception and accommodation of the Poor in the day…time； will not need to be forced； nor even urged to work；if there are in the room several persons who are busily employed in the c
