and he will perceive that when inquiry becomes permanent, instead of occasional, no man who values respectability can be expected to undergo the disgrace which will be unavoidably attached to the service of the public. Those of the committee who see these consequences, must dread this natural and inevitable result of their own labours as the greatest misfortune which could happen to the public, for whose sake, and to whose benefit, those labours are intended.

It must not be suspected that any personal motive lurks under that zeal for the public good, by which the economists and their committee are actuated;.. that the exercise of a little brief authority' can be an inducement to them to prolong their labours;.. that the malignity which certain philosophers have supposed to be natural to man, but which is usually stifled in the intercourse of civilized society, may unexpectedly and unconsciously be revived and quickened into full activity under the appearance of pure patriotism; still less is it to be imagined that any member of this party can condescend to court filthy popularity,' by aiding and authorising the unfounded clamours of the vulgar against all the servants of the public. But, however pure their patriotism may be, and however good their intentions, the end which they propose is insignificant, and the means by which they proceed pitiful and mischievous. These are not the reforms whereby states are to be strengthened or preserved! No good can ever be effected by appealing to evil passions. He who would benefit his country, instead of fostering the discontent of the public and pimping for their suspicions, should

address their generous feelings, encourage their national spirit, and exalt their hopes. The methods of reform, by which great and effectual good may be accomplished, are these. Institute parochial schools for training up the people in the way they should go, and not only will crimes then become less frequent, but the poor-rates also will soon be diminished; extend your system of colonization, as the wisest people of antiquity did; restless spirits will then find their proper sphere abroad, and sufficient employment will be left for all at home. Establish the principle of limited service in your fleets and armies, and make the reward of service adequate and certain; volunteers will then never be wanting. Carry on the war with all the heart, and all the soul, and all the strength of this mighty empire; you will then beat down the power of France; and then,..and not till then,.. the public burdens may be lessened.

ESSAY IV.

ON

THE STATE OF THE POOR,

THE PRINCIPLE OF MR. MALTHUS'S

ESSAY ON POPULATION,

AND

THE MANUFACTURING SYSTEM.

1812.

ESSAY IV.

ON THE STATE OF THE POOR,

&c. &c.

THE Commencement of the present century was distinguished in this country by two measures of prime importance; the population of Great Britain was then for the first time ascertained, and this was followed by an official inquiry into the state of the poor. The population was found to be 10,942,646. The number of persons receiving parish relief amounted to 734,817; those who received occasional relief from the poor rates were 305,899; and the vagrants who obtained assistance appeared to be 194,052*: a frightful proportion of paupers! The first result taught us our strength, the second discovered our weakness. When we knew that there were in Great Britain alone more than 2,700,000 men capable of defending their country, it became apparent that we might defy the world in arms; but the fact, that

*Here is an unavoidable ambiguity in this statement. Relief had thus often been given, but it by no means follows that it had been given to so many different persons. If one of these vagabonds cheats 19 parishes per annum, 10,000 of them would appear 190,000 in the enumeration.