Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/447

Rh  into honest, industrious, and valuable members of society.

We cannot, in justice, omit to mention the benevolent plan proposed by Lord. It consists in vesting a fund, for the reduction of the poor-rates, and the support of the aged, sick, &c. in the hands of proper persons. This fund is to be levied "either parochially, by hundreds, counties, or by one general accumulation of the whole kingdom," in certain proportions, according to the different classes, under the direction of respectable commissioners. For a minute account of his design, together with the arguments for and against the probability of its execution, the reader will consult his lordship's work, entitled, The System followed during the two last years by the Board of Agriculture, further illustrated, &c. (8vo. 2d edit. 1800.)—Some valuable remarks also occur in Mr. 's Observations on the present State, and Influence of the Poor-Laws, &c. (8vo. pp. 190, 3s. 6d. Sewell, 1800);—in Mr. 's Remarks on the Poor-Laws, and the Maintenance of the Poor (8vo. pp. 36, 1s. 6d. Butterworth, 1800);—and, lastly, in the Reports of the Society for bettering the Condition, and increasing the Comforts of the Poor; of which the third volume is in the press; a work that is periodically continued under the patronage of that benevolent association.  POOR-HOUSE, an asylum appropriated to the accommodation of those aged, sick, or helpless poor, who are unable to support themselves: but, as such design is generally combined with work-houses, or buildings, in which the indigent, vagrant, or idle, are employed, and supplied with food and clothing, we shall communicate a few hints relative to their management.

In such places, the strictest regard ought to be paid to cleanliness; and, if the inhabitants be disorderly, a proper system of coercion should be adopted. The unruly must be confined in separate apartments; where they perform labour for their own support, being left to solitary meditations: these may be farther directed by the exhortations of a pious, well-informed clergyman, who is able to adapt his instruction to the peculiar circumstances, or case of the individual. We are aware that houses of correction have been established with this view; but, we conceive, that more salutary consequences would result from their general combination with the common poor, or work-houses.

There is, however, a strange system prevailing in several parishes of the metropolis, namely, that of farming out the poor; or contracting with speculative persons to support them at a certain price per head. This practice is carried on chiefly in the precincts of the city, where no work-houses can be conveniently erected, and in consequence whereof the poor are sent to a small distance.—Some of these farms are certainly conducted on the most humane plan, while the management of others deserve the severest censure. Surrounded with filth; confined in close situations; ill clad; and worse fed; the wretched tenants of such habitations, present the most haggard countenances; and the children reared in such places, instead of becoming healthy and vigorous, are weak, puny, and frequently fall early victims of  Rh