Page:The reports of the Society for Bettering the Condition and Increasing the Comforts of the Poor (IA b21971961 0001).pdf/21

Rh I am aware, that there is not, in general, much credit given to the good dispositions of the poor; and that we may be told that we are endeavouring to serve those, who will not be served.—I know it is said, among other things, that they are jealous of every thing that can be done for them, and averse to profit by information.—In truth, it is not entirely without cause, that the poor are jealous of the variety of measures, however well intended, that are brought forward with regard to them: they understand as little of the motives, as the theorist does of the consequences of his experiment—As to unwillingness to profit by information, it may indeed be sometimes imputable to the lower, as well as to the higher classes of life.—But the poor have never yet had a fair trial.—Let useful and practical information be offered to them; give them time to understand, and the choice of adopting it; and I am mistaken, if they do not shew as much good sense on the subject, as any other class of men in the kingdom.