Sir Josiah Child's proposals for the relief and employment of the poor
         Child, Josiah, Sir, 1630-1699.
      
       
         
           1670
        
      
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             Sir Josiah Child's proposals for the relief and employment of the poor
             Child, Josiah, Sir, 1630-1699.
          
           8 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [London :
             1670?]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Place and date of publication suggested by Wing.
             Reproduction of original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Poor -- England.
           Public welfare -- England.
           Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1660-1688.
        
      
    
     
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           S
           
             ir
          
           Josiah
           Child's
           Proposals
           ,
           For
           the
           
             Relief
          
           and
           
             Employment
          
           of
           the
           POOR
           .
        
         
           THis
           is
           a
           calm
           Subject
           ,
           and
           thwarts
           no
           common
           or
           private
           interest
           amongst
           us
           ,
           except
           that
           of
           the
           common
           Enemy
           of
           Mankind
           (
           
             the
             Devil
          
           )
           so
           I
           hope
           that
           what
           shall
           be
           offered
           towards
           the
           effecting
           of
           so
           universally
           acceptable
           a
           Work
           as
           this
           ,
           and
           the
           removal
           of
           the
           innumerable
           inconveniences
           that
           do
           now
           and
           have
           in
           all
           Ages
           attended
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           through
           defect
           of
           such
           Provision
           for
           the
           Poor
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           ill
           taken
           ,
           although
           the
           Plaster
           at
           first
           essay
           do
           not
           exactly
           fit
           the
           Sore
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           Discourse
           of
           this
           subject
           ,
           I
           shall
           first
           assert
           some
           particulars
           ,
           which
           I
           think
           are
           agreed
           by
           common
           Consent
           ,
           and
           from
           thence
           take
           occasion
           to
           proceed
           to
           what
           is
           more
           doubtful
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             That
             our
             poor
             in
          
           England
           
             have
             always
             been
             in
             a
             most
             sad
             and
             wretched
             condition
             ,
          
           some
           Famished
           for
           want
           of
           Bread
           ,
           others
           starved
           with
           Cold
           and
           Nakedness
           ,
           and
           many
           whole
           Families
           in
           all
           the
           out-Parts
           of
           Cities
           and
           great
           Towns
           ,
           commonly
           remain
           in
           a
           languishing
           ,
           nasty
           and
           useless
           Condition
           ,
           Uncomfortable
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           Unprofitable
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           this
           is
           confessed
           and
           lamented
           by
           all
           Men.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           the
           
             Children
          
           of
           our
           
             Poor
          
           bred
           up
           in
           
             Beggery
          
           and
           
             Laziness
             ,
          
           do
           by
           that
           means
           become
           not
           only
           of
           
             unhealthy
             Bodies
             ,
          
           and
           more
           than
           ordinary
           subject
           to
           many
           loathsome
           Diseases
           ,
           whereof
           very
           many
           die
           in
           their
           tender
           Age
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           of
           them
           do
           arrive
           to
           years
           and
           strength
           ,
           they
           are
           ,
           by
           their
           idle
           habits
           contracted
           in
           their
           Youth
           ,
           rendred
           for
           ever
           after
           indisposed
           to
           Labour
           ,
           and
           serve
           only
           to
           stock
           the
           
             Kingdom
          
           with
           
             Thieves
          
           and
           
             Beggers
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           if
           all
           our
           impotent
           Poor
           were
           provided
           for
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           both
           Sexes
           and
           all
           Ages
           that
           can
           do
           work
           of
           any
           kind
           ,
           employed
           ,
           it
           would
           redound
           some
           Hundreds
           of
           Thousands
           of
           Pounds
           
             per
             annum
          
           to
           the
           publick
           advantage
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           That
           it
           is
           our
           Duty
           to
           God
           and
           Nature
           ,
           so
           to
           Provide
           for
           ,
           and
           Employ
           the
           Poor
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           That
           by
           so
           doing
           one
           of
           the
           great
           sins
           (
           for
           which
           this
           Land
           ought
           to
           mourn
           )
           would
           be
           removed
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           our
           fore-Fathers
           had
           pious
           Intentions
           towards
           this
           Work
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           the
           many
           Statutes
           made
           by
           them
           to
           this
           purpose
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           That
           there
           are
           places
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Poor
           are
           so
           provided
           for
           ,
           and
           employed
           ,
           as
           in
           
             Holland
             ,
             Hambrough
             ,
             New-England
          
           and
           others
           ,
           and
           as
           I
           am
           informed
           now
           in
           the
           
             City
          
           of
           
             Paris
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           far
           we
           all
           agree
           :
           The
           first
           Question
           then
           that
           naturally
           occurs
           is
           ,
           Question
           ,
           
             How
             comes
             it
             to
             pass
             that
             in
          
           England
           
             we
             do
             not
             ,
             nor
             ever
             did
             comfortably
             maintain
             and
             employ
             our
             Poor
             ?
          
        
         
           The
           common
           Answers
           to
           this
           Question
           are
           ,
           two
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           our
           Laws
           to
           this
           purpose
           are
           as
           good
           as
           any
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           we
           fail
           in
           the
           execution
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           
             That
             formerly
             in
             the
             days
             of
             our
             pious
             Ancestors
             the
             work
             was
             done
             ,
             but
             now
             Charity
             is
             decreased
             ,
          
           and
           that
           is
           the
           reason
           we
           see
           the
           Poor
           so
           neglected
           as
           now
           they
           are
           .
        
         
           In
           both
           which
           Answers
           (
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           )
           the
           Effect
           is
           mistaken
           for
           the
           Cause
           :
           For
           though
           it
           cannot
           be
           denied
           ,
           but
           there
           hath
           been
           ,
           and
           is
           a
           great
           failure
           in
           the
           Execution
           of
           those
           
             Statutes
          
           which
           relate
           to
           the
           
             poor
             ,
          
           yet
           I
           say
           ,
           the
           
             cause
             of
             that
             failure
             ,
             hath
             been
             occasioned
             by
             defect
             of
             the
             Laws
             themselves
             .
          
        
         
           For
           otherwise
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           reason
           that
           in
           our
           late
           times
           of
           Confusion
           and
           Alteration
           ,
           wherein
           almost
           every
           party
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           took
           their
           turn
           at
           tbe
           Helm
           ;
           and
           all
           had
           that
           Compass
           (
           those
           Laws
           )
           to
           Stear
           by
           ,
           and
           yet
           none
           of
           them
           could
           ,
           or
           ever
           did
           ,
           conduct
           the
           Poor
           into
           a
           Harbour
           of
           security
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           profit
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           i.
           e.
           
             none
             sufficiently
             maintained
             the
             impotent
             ,
             and
             employed
             the
             Indigent
             amongst
             us
             :
          
           and
           if
           this
           was
           never
           done
           in
           any
           Age
           ,
           nor
           by
           any
           sort
           of
           Men
           whatsoever
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           who
           had
           the
           use
           of
           those
           Laws
           now
           in
           force
           ,
           it
           seems
           to
           me
           a
           very
           strong
           Argument
           that
           it
           never
           could
           ,
           nor
           ever
           will
           be
           done
           by
           those
           Laws
           ,
           and
           that
           consequently
           the
           defect
           lies
           in
           the
           Laws
           themselves
           ,
           not
           in
           the
           Men
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           those
           that
           should
           put
           them
           in
           Execution
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           second
           Answer
           to
           the
           aforesaid
           Question
           ,
           wherein
           
             want
             of
             Charity
          
           is
           assigned
           for
           another
           cause
           why
           the
           
             poor
          
           are
           now
           so
           much
           neglected
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           is
           a
           
             scandalous
             ,
             ungrounded
             Accusation
          
           of
           our
           
             Contemporaries
          
           (
           except
           in
           relation
           to
           building
           of
           
             Churches
             ,
          
           which
           I
           confess
           this
           generation
           is
           not
           so
           propense
           to
           as
           former
           have
           been
           )
           for
           most
           that
           I
           converse
           with
           ,
           are
           not
           so
           much
           troubled
           to
           part
           with
           their
           Money
           ,
           as
           how
           to
           place
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           do
           good
           ,
           and
           not
           hurt
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           For
           ,
           
             if
             they
             give
             to
             the
             Beggers
             in
             the
             Streets
             ,
             or
             at
             their
             Doors
             ,
             they
             fear
             they
             may
             do
             hurt
             by
          
           encouraging
           that
           lazy
           unprofitable
           kind
           of
           Life
           ;
           and
           
             if
             they
             give
             more
             than
             their
             proportions
             in
             their
             respective
             Parishes
             ,
             that
          
           (
           they
           say
           )
           
             is
             but
             giving
             to
             the
             Rich
             ,
          
           for
           the
           Poor
           are
           not
           set
           on
           Work
           thereby
           ,
           nor
           have
           the
           more
           given
           them
           ;
           but
           only
           their
           rich
           Neighbours
           pay
           the
           less
           .
           And
           for
           what
           was
           given
           in
           
             Churches
          
           to
           the
           
             visited
             Poor
             ,
          
           and
           to
           such
           as
           were
           
             impoverished
             by
             the
             Fire
             ;
          
           we
           have
           heard
           of
           so
           many
           and
           great
           Abuses
           of
           that
           kind
           of
           
             Charity
             ,
          
           that
           most
           men
           are
           under
           sad
           discouragements
           in
           relation
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           I
           Write
           not
           this
           to
           divert
           any
           Man
           from
           Works
           of
           Charity
           of
           any
           kind
           :
           
             He
             that
             gives
             to
             any
             in
             want
             does
             well
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             gives
             to
             Employ
             and
             Educate
             the
             Poor
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             render
             them
             usefull
             to
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             does
             better
             .
          
        
         
           And
           here
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           not
           to
           leave
           Men
           at
           a
           loss
           how
           to
           dispose
           of
           what
           God
           shall
           incline
           their
           Hearts
           to
           give
           for
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           not
           impertinent
           to
           propose
           the
           
             Hospitals
          
           of
           this
           City
           ,
           and
           
             poor
             labouring
             people
             that
             have
             many
             Children
             ,
          
           and
           make
           a
           hard
           shift
           to
           sustain
           them
           by
           their
           industry
           ,
           whereof
           there
           are
           multitudes
           in
           the
           out
           Parts
           of
           this
           
             City
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             objects
             of
             Charity
             at
             present
             .
          
        
         
           But
           to
           return
           to
           my
           purpose
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           to
           prove
           that
           the
           want
           of
           
             Charity
          
           likewise
           that
           is
           now
           ,
           and
           always
           hath
           been
           ,
           in
           relation
           
             to
             the
             poor
             ,
             proceeds
             from
             a
             defect
             in
             our
             Laws
             .
          
           Ask
           any
           Charitable
           minded
           Man
           as
           he
           goes
           along
           the
           Streets
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           viewing
           the
           Poor
           ,
           viz.
           
             Boys
             ,
             Girls
             ,
             Men
             and
             Women
          
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           and
           many
           in
           good
           Health
           ,
           &c.
           why
           he
           and
           others
           do
           not
           take
           care
           for
           
           the
           setting
           those
           poor
           Creatures
           to
           Work
           ?
           Will
           he
           not
           readily
           answer
           ,
           that
           he
           wisheth
           heartily
           it
           could
           be
           done
           ,
           though
           it
           cost
           him
           a
           great
           part
           of
           his
           Estate
           ,
           but
           he
           is
           but
           one
           Man
           ,
           and
           can
           do
           nothing
           towards
           ,
           it
           ,
           
             giving
             them
             Money
             as
             hath
             been
             said
             ,
             being
             but
             to
             bring
             them
             into
             a
             liking
             and
             continuance
             in
             that
             way
             .
          
        
         
           The
           second
           Question
           then
           is
           ,
        
         
           Question
           2.
           
           
             Wherein
             lies
             the
             defect
             of
             our
             present
             Laws
             relating
             to
             the
             poor
             ?
          
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           many
           ,
           but
           I
           shall
           here
           take
           notice
           of
           one
           only
           ,
           which
           I
           think
           to
           be
           Fundamental
           ,
           and
           which
           untill
           altered
           ,
           the
           
             poor
          
           in
           
             England
          
           can
           never
           be
           well
           provided
           for
           ,
           or
           Employed
           ;
           and
           that
           when
           the
           said
           Fundamental
           Error
           is
           well
           amended
           ,
           it
           is
           almost
           impossible
           they
           should
           lack
           either
           Work
           or
           Maintenance
           .
        
         
           
             The
             said
             radical
             Error
             I
             esteem
             to
             be
             the
             leaving
             it
             to
             the
             care
             of
             every
             Parish
             to
             maintain
             their
             own
             poor
             only
             ;
          
           upon
           which
           follows
           the
           shifting
           off
           ,
           sending
           or
           whipping
           back
           the
           poor
           Wanderers
           to
           the
           place
           of
           their
           Birth
           ,
           or
           last
           abode
           :
           the
           practice
           whereof
           I
           have
           seen
           many
           years
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           to
           signifie
           as
           much
           as
           ever
           it
           will
           ,
           which
           is
           just
           nothing
           of
           good
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           in
           general
           ,
           or
           the
           Poor
           thereof
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           sometimes
           by
           accident
           to
           some
           of
           them
           a
           Punishment
           without
           effect
           ;
           I
           say
           without
           effect
           ,
           because
           it
           reforms
           not
           the
           Party
           ,
           nor
           disposeth
           the
           Minds
           of
           others
           to
           Obedience
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           true
           ends
           of
           all
           Punishment
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           instance
           ,
           
             a
             poor
             idle
             Person
             ,
          
           that
           will
           not
           Work
           ,
           or
           that
           no
           Body
           will
           Employ
           in
           the
           Country
           ,
           
             comes
             up
             to
          
           London
           
             to
             set
             up
             the
             Trade
             of
             Begging
             ,
          
           such
           a
           Person
           probably
           may
           Beg
           up
           and
           down
           the
           Streets
           seven
           years
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           seven
           and
           twenty
           ,
           before
           any
           body
           asketh
           why
           she
           doth
           so
           ,
           and
           if
           at
           length
           she
           hath
           the
           ill
           hap
           in
           some
           Parish
           to
           meet
           with
           a
           more
           vigilant
           
             Beadle
          
           than
           one
           of
           twenty
           of
           them
           are
           ,
           all
           he
           does
           is
           but
           to
           lead
           her
           the
           length
           of
           five
           or
           six
           Houses
           into
           another
           Parish
           ,
           and
           then
           concludes
           ,
           as
           his
           
             Masters
          
           the
           
             Parishioners
          
           do
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           done
           the
           part
           of
           a
           most
           diligent
           Officer
           :
           but
           suppose
           he
           should
           yet
           go
           further
           to
           the
           end
           of
           his
           Line
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           end
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           and
           the
           perfect
           Execution
           of
           his
           Office
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           suppose
           he
           should
           carry
           this
           poor
           Wretch
           to
           a
           Justice
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           and
           he
           should
           order
           the
           
             Delinquent
          
           to
           be
           Whipt
           ,
           and
           sent
           from
           Parish
           to
           Parish
           ,
           to
           the
           place
           of
           her
           
             Birth
          
           or
           first
           
             Abode
             ,
          
           which
           not
           one
           
             Iustice
          
           of
           twenty
           (
           through
           pity
           or
           other
           cause
           )
           will
           do
           ,
           even
           this
           is
           a
           great
           charge
           upon
           the
           Country
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Nation
           it self
           wholly
           undone
           :
           for
           no
           sooner
           doth
           the
           
             Delinquent
          
           arrive
           at
           the
           place
           assigned
           ,
           but
           for
           shame
           or
           idleness
           she
           presently
           deserts
           it
           ,
           and
           wanders
           directly
           back
           ,
           or
           some
           other
           way
           ,
           hoping
           for
           better
           Fortune
           ,
           whilst
           the
           Parish
           to
           which
           she
           is
           sent
           ,
           knowing
           her
           a
           Lazy
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           a
           worse
           quality'd
           Person
           ,
           is
           as
           willing
           to
           be
           rid
           of
           her
           as
           she
           is
           to
           be
           gone
           from
           thence
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           here
           retorted
           upon
           me
           ,
           that
           by
           my
           own
           Confession
           ,
           much
           of
           this
           mischief
           happens
           by
           the
           Non
           ,
           or
           ill
           Execution
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           I
           say
           better
           Execution
           than
           you
           have
           seen
           you
           must
           not
           expect
           ;
           and
           
             there
             was
             never
             a
             good
             law
             made
             that
             was
             not
             well
             executed
             ,
             the
             fault
             of
             the
             Law
             causing
             a
             failure
             of
             execution
             ,
          
           it
           being
           natural
           to
           all
           Men
           to
           use
           the
           remedy
           next
           at
           hand
           ,
           and
           rest
           satisfied
           with
           shifting
           the
           evil
           from
           their
           own
           Doors
           ;
           which
           in
           regard
           they
           can
           so
           easily
           do
           ,
           by
           threatning
           or
           thrusting
           a
           poor
           Body
           out
           of
           the
           
           verge
           of
           their
           own
           
             Parish
             ,
          
           it
           is
           unreasonable
           and
           vain
           to
           hope
           that
           ever
           it
           will
           be
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           
             For
             the
             Laws
             against
             Inmates
             ,
          
           and
           empowering
           the
           Parishioners
           to
           take
           a
           Security
           before
           they
           suffer
           any
           poor
           persons
           to
           Inhabit
           amongst
           them
           ;
           it
           may
           be
           they
           were
           prudent
           Constitutions
           at
           the
           times
           they
           were
           made
           (
           and
           before
           
             England
          
           was
           a
           place
           of
           Trade
           )
           and
           may
           be
           so
           still
           in
           some
           Countries
           ,
           but
           
             I
             am
             sure
             in
             Cities
             and
             great
             Towns
             of
             Trade
             they
             are
             altogether
             improper
             ,
             and
             contrary
             to
             the
             practice
             of
             other
             Cities
             and
             Trading
             Towns
             abroad
             .
          
           The
           Riches
           of
           a
           
             City
             ,
          
           as
           of
           a
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           consisting
           in
           the
           multitude
           of
           
             Inhabitants
             ;
          
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           you
           must
           allow
           
             Inmates
             ,
             or
             have
             a
             City
             of
             Cottages
             .
          
           And
           if
           a
           right
           course
           be
           taken
           for
           the
           sustentation
           of
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           and
           setting
           them
           on
           Work
           ,
           you
           need
           invent
           no
           Stratagems
           to
           keep
           them
           out
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           bring
           them
           in
           .
           For
           
             the
             resort
             of
             Poor
             to
             a
             City
             or
             Nation
             well
             managed
             ,
             is
             in
             effect
             the
             Conflux
             rf
             Riches
             to
             that
             City
             or
             Nation
             ;
          
           and
           therefore
           the
           subtile
           
             Dutch
          
           receive
           and
           relieve
           ,
           or
           employ
           all
           that
           come
           to
           them
           ,
           not
           enquiring
           what
           Nation
           ,
           much
           less
           what
           Parish
           they
           are
           of
           .
        
         
           
             Question
          
           3.
           
           The
           third
           Question
           :
           
             If
             the
             defect
             be
             in
             our
             Laws
             ,
             how
             shall
             we
             find
             a
             remedy
             that
             may
             be
             rational
             and
             consistent
             ?
          
        
         
           This
           I
           confess
           is
           a
           hard
           and
           difficult
           Question
           ,
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           
             Ardua
             Regni
             ,
          
           and
           may
           very
           well
           deserve
           the
           most
           deliberate
           consideration
           of
           our
           wisest
           
             Councellors
             .
          
           And
           if
           a
           whole
           Session
           of
           
             Parliament
          
           were
           employed
           on
           this
           sigular
           concern
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           would
           be
           time
           spent
           as
           much
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           
             God
          
           and
           good
           of
           this
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           as
           in
           any
           thing
           that
           noble
           and
           worthy
           
             Patriots
          
           of
           their
           Country
           can
           be
           engaged
           in
           :
           But
           seeing
           I
           have
           adventured
           thus
           far
           ,
           I
           shall
           humbly
           proceed
           to
           offer
           some
           general
           Proposals
           that
           have
           a
           tendency
           towards
           the
           effecting
           this
           great
           Work
           ,
           which
           being
           seriously
           thought
           of
           and
           debated
           by
           wiser
           men
           ,
           may
           be
           capable
           of
           snch
           melioration
           as
           may
           render
           them
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           effectual
           to
           the
           
             Kingdom
          
           in
           general
           ,
           although
           at
           present
           ,
           to
           prevent
           that
           common
           Objection
           ,
           that
           great
           Mutations
           are
           dangerous
           ;
           I
           shall
           only
           propose
           them
           to
           be
           experimented
           in
           these
           parts
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           Vitals
           of
           our
           Body
           Politick
           ,
           which
           being
           once
           made
           sound
           ,
           the
           cure
           of
           the
           rest
           will
           not
           be
           difficult
           .
        
         
           
             Proposition
          
           1.
           
           First
           then
           I
           Propose
           ,
           
             That
             the
             City
             of
          
           London
           
             and
          
           Westminster
           ,
           
             Burrough
             of
          
           Southwark
           ,
           
             and
             all
             other
             places
             within
             the
             usual
             Lines
             of
             Cemmunication
             ,
          
           described
           in
           the
           Weekly
           Bills
           of
           Mortality
           ,
           
             may
             by
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             be
             associated
             into
             one
             Province
             ,
             or
             Line
             of
             Communication
             for
             relief
             of
             the
             Poor
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           
             That
             there
             be
             one
             Assembly
             of
             Men
          
           (
           and
           such
           as
           they
           shall
           from
           time
           to
           time
           appoint
           and
           deputise
           )
           
             entrusted
             with
             the
             care
             for
             ,
             and
             treasure
             of
             all
             the
             Poor
             within
             the
             said
             Pale
             or
             Line
             of
             Communication
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Assembly
             be
             incorporated
             by
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             ,
          
           with
           perpetual
           Succession
           ,
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           or
           some
           other
           honourable
           and
           significant
           Title
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           
             That
             all
             Constables
             ,
             Churchwardens
             ,
             Overseers
             ,
             or
             other
             Officers
             in
             all
             Parishes
             ,
          
           within
           the
           said
           Line
           ,
           
             be
             subordinate
             and
             accomptable
             to
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             and
             their
             Deputies
             ,
             for
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             things
             relating
             to
             the
             poor
             .
          
        
         
           5.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             may
             have
             liberty
             to
             assess
             and
             receive
             into
             their
             common
             Treasury
             ,
          
           for
           relief
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           
             so
             much
             Money
             from
             every
             Parish
             as
             they
             yearly
             paid
             to
             that
             purpose
             any
             of
             the
             three
             Years
             preceding
             this
             Constitution
             ,
             
             and
             to
             compel
             the
             payment
             thereof
             ,
             but
             not
             of
             more
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             tf
             the
             Poor
             ,
             and
             their
             Deputies
             ,
             may
             have
             very
             large
             and
             sufficient
             power
             in
             all
             things
             relating
             to
             the
             poor
             ,
          
           and
           particularly
           to
           have
           and
           receive
           the
           charitable
           benevolence
           of
           all
           persons
           ,
           once
           every
           Lords
           Day
           ,
           in
           every
           Parish-Church
           ,
           and
           in
           any
           other
           Meeting
           of
           Pious
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           and
           at
           any
           other
           time
           or
           times
           which
           they
           shall
           think
           fit
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           and
           such
           as
           they
           shall
           authorize
           ,
           
             may
             have
             power
             to
             purchase
             Lands
             ,
             erect
             and
             endow
             Work-houses
             ,
             Hospitals
             ,
             and
             Houses
             of
             Correction
             ,
          
           and
           to
           exercise
           all
           other
           powers
           relating
           to
           the
           Poor
           ,
           that
           any
           number
           of
           
             Iustices
          
           of
           the
           
             Peace
          
           now
           may
           do
           ,
           in
           their
           
             Quarter-Sessions
             ,
          
           or
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             may
             have
             power
             to
             send
             such
             Poor
             beyond
             the
             Seas
             as
             they
             shall
             think
             fit
             into
             his
             Majesties
             Plantations
             ,
          
           taking
           Security
           for
           their
           comfortable
           Maintenance
           during
           their
           service
           ,
           and
           for
           their
           freedom
           afterwards
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             may
             have
             Power
             to
             erect
             petty
             Banks
             ,
             and
             Lumbards
             for
             the
             benefit
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             if
             they
             shall
             find
             it
             convenient
             ,
          
           and
           also
           to
           receive
           the
           one
           half
           of
           what
           is
           paid
           at
           all
           the
           Doors
           of
           
             Play-houses
             ,
          
           and
           have
           the
           
             Patent
          
           for
           
             Farthings
             ,
          
           and
           to
           do
           whatever
           else
           his
           
             Majesty
          
           and
           the
           
             Parliament
          
           shall
           think
           fit
           to
           recommend
           to
           them
           ,
           or
           leave
           to
           their
           discretion
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           
             That
             the
             Treasure
             that
             shall
             be
             Collected
             for
             this
             purpose
             ,
             shall
             be
             accounted
             sacred
             ,
          
           and
           that
           it
           be
           Felony
           to
           misapply
           ,
           conceal
           ,
           lend
           ,
           or
           convert
           it
           to
           any
           other
           use
           or
           purpose
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           11.
           
           
             That
             there
             be
             no
             Oaths
             ,
             or
             other
             Tests
             imposed
             upon
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             at
             their
             admission
             ,
             to
             bar
             our
             Nonconformists
             ,
          
           amongst
           whom
           there
           will
           be
           found
           some
           excellent
           Instruments
           for
           this
           good
           Work
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           will
           constantly
           attend
           it
           (
           for
           if
           they
           be
           kept
           out
           ,
           the
           People
           will
           be
           cold
           in
           their
           Charity
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           hopes
           of
           success
           .
           )
        
         
           12.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             may
             constantly
             wear
             some
             honourable
             Medal
             ,
          
           such
           as
           the
           
             King
          
           and
           
             Parliament
             shall
             devise
             ,
          
           besides
           the
           
             Green
             Staff
          
           which
           is
           now
           used
           in
           
             London
          
           to
           such
           like
           purpose
           ,
           (
           but
           upon
           extraordinary
           days
           only
           )
           
             to
             denote
             their
             Authority
             and
             Office
          
           at
           all
           times
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           Habits
           in
           
             Spain
             ,
          
           or
           rather
           as
           have
           all
           the
           
             Familiars
          
           of
           the
           
             Inquisition
          
           in
           most
           
             Romish
          
           Countries
           ,
           with
           admirable
           effect
           ,
           tho'
           to
           a
           wicked
           purpose
           ;
           the
           consequence
           whereof
           will
           be
           ,
           that
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           being
           numerous
           ,
           and
           dispers'd
           by
           their
           Habitations
           and
           Business
           ,
           into
           most
           parts
           of
           their
           
             Province
             ,
          
           will
           readily
           see
           any
           neglects
           of
           Officers
           ,
           and
           as
           easily
           redress
           them
           ;
           the
           
             Medal
          
           which
           they
           wear
           about
           them
           ,
           being
           a
           sufficient
           Warrant
           to
           command
           Obedience
           from
           all
           
             Parish-Officers
          
           wherever
           they
           come
           ,
           although
           their
           Persons
           be
           not
           known
           there
           .
        
         
           13.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             may
             have
             liberty
             to
             admit
             into
             their
             Society
             ,
             and
             all
             Powers
             and
             Priviledges
             equal
             with
             them
             ,
             any
             persons
             that
             are
             willing
             to
             serve
             God
             ,
             their
             King
             and
             Country
             ,
             in
             this
             pious
             and
             publick
             Work
             ,
             the
             persons
             desiring
             to
             be
             so
             admitted
             ,
             paying
             at
             their
             admission
             100
             l.
          
           or
           more
           into
           the
           Poors
           Treasury
           .
           as
           a
           demonstration
           of
           the
           sincerity
           of
           their
           Intentions
           to
           labour
           in
           and
           cultivate
           this
           most
           Religious
           Vineyard
           .
           This
           I
           only
           offer
           ,
           because
           the
           number
           of
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
          
           hereafter
           mentioned
           ,
           may
           be
           thought
           rather
           too
           few
           than
           too
           many
           .
        
         
           14.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             besides
             the
             Authority
             now
             exercised
             by
             Iustices
             
             of
             the
             Peace
             ,
             may
             have
             some
             less
             limited
             Powers
             given
             them
             ,
             in
             relation
             to
             the
             punishment
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             and
             Parish
             Officers
             ,
             by
             pecuniary
             mulcts
             for
             the
             poors
             benefit
             in
             case
             of
             neglect
             ,
          
           and
           otherwise
           as
           his
           
             Majesty
          
           and
           the
           
             Parliament
          
           shall
           think
           fit
           .
        
         
           15.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             may
             have
             freedom
             to
             set
             the
             Poor
             on
             work
             about
             whatsoever
             Manufacture
             they
             think
             fit
             ,
          
           with
           a
           
             Non-obstante
          
           to
           all
           Patents
           that
           have
           been
           or
           shall
           be
           granted
           to
           any
           private
           person
           or
           persons
           for
           the
           sole
           Manufacture
           of
           any
           Commodity
           ,
           the
           want
           of
           which
           priviledge
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           told
           ,
           was
           a
           prejudice
           to
           the
           Work-house
           at
           
             Clerkenwell
             ,
          
           in
           their
           late
           design
           of
           setting
           their
           Poor
           Children
           about
           making
           of
           
             Hangings
             .
          
        
         
           16.
           
           That
           all
           Vacancies
           by
           reason
           of
           Death
           of
           any
           of
           the
           said
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           be
           perpetually
           supplied
           by
           Election
           of
           the
           Survivors
           .
        
         
           
             Quest.
          
           4.
           
           The
           fourth
           Question
           is
           ,
           
             Who
             shall
             be
             the
             Persons
             entrusted
             with
             so
             great
             a
             Work
             ,
             and
             such
             excess
             of
             power
             ?
          
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           Question
           likewise
           of
           some
           difficulty
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           in
           regard
           of
           our
           present
           Differences
           in
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           but
           I
           shall
           answer
           it
           as
           well
           as
           I
           can
           .
        
         
           In
           general
           I
           say
           ,
           
             They
             must
             be
             such
             as
             the
             people
             must
             have
             ample
             satisfaction
             in
             ,
             or
             else
             the
             whole
             design
             will
             be
             lost
             :
          
           For
           if
           the
           universality
           of
           the
           People
           be
           not
           satisfied
           with
           the
           Persons
           ,
           they
           will
           never
           part
           with
           their
           Money
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           be
           well
           satisfied
           therein
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           miraculously
           charitable
           .
        
         
           
             Quest.
          
           5.
           
           This
           begets
           a
           fifth
           Question
           ,
           
             What
             sort
             of
             men
             the
             People
             will
             be
             most
             satisfied
             in
             ?
          
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           I
           think
           
             in
             none
             so
             well
             as
             such
             only
             as
             a
             Common
             Hall
             of
             the
             Livery-men
             of
          
           London
           
             shall
             make
             choice
             of
             ,
          
           it
           being
           evident
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           many
           Ages
           ,
           that
           the
           several
           
             Corporations
          
           in
           
             London
          
           are
           the
           best
           
             Administrators
          
           of
           what
           is
           left
           to
           
             Chaoitable
             Vses
             ,
          
           that
           have
           ever
           been
           in
           this
           
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           which
           is
           manifest
           in
           the
           regular
           ,
           just
           and
           prudent
           management
           of
           the
           
             Hospitals
          
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           and
           was
           wisely
           observed
           by
           Dr.
           
             Collet
             ,
             Dean
             of
             St.
          
           Paul
           '
           
             s
             ,
          
           that
           prudent
           
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
          
           when
           he
           left
           the
           Government
           of
           that
           
             School
             ,
          
           and
           other
           great
           Revenues
           assigned
           by
           him
           for
           charitable
           Uses
           ,
           unto
           the
           disposition
           of
           the
           
             Mercers
             Company
             .
          
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           But
           here
           it
           may
           be
           Objected
           ,
           That
           
             Country
             Gentlemen
             ,
          
           who
           have
           Power
           in
           places
           of
           their
           Residences
           ,
           and
           pay
           out
           of
           their
           large
           Estates
           considerable
           summs
           towards
           the
           Maintenance
           of
           their
           Poor
           within
           the
           afore-limited
           Precincts
           ,
           may
           be
           justly
           offended
           if
           they
           likewise
           have
           not
           a
           share
           in
           the
           distribution
           of
           what
           shall
           be
           raised
           to
           that
           purpose
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           I
           answer
           ,
           the
           force
           of
           this
           Objection
           may
           be
           much
           taken
           off
           ,
           if
           the
           
             City
          
           be
           obliged
           to
           choose
           but
           a
           certain
           number
           out
           of
           the
           
             City
             ,
          
           as
           suppose
           seventy
           for
           
             London
             ,
          
           ten
           out
           of
           
             Southwark
          
           for
           that
           Burrough
           ,
           twenty
           for
           
             Westminster
             ,
          
           this
           would
           best
           satisfie
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           I
           think
           do
           the
           work
           :
           But
           if
           it
           be
           thought
           too
           much
           for
           the
           
             City
          
           to
           have
           the
           choice
           of
           any
           more
           than
           their
           own
           seventy
           ,
           the
           
             Iustices
          
           of
           
             Peace
          
           in
           their
           
             Quarter-Sessions
             ,
          
           may
           nominate
           and
           appoint
           their
           own
           number
           of
           Persons
           to
           assist
           for
           their
           respective
           Jurisdictions
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           supply
           the
           vacancy
           in
           case
           of
           Death
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           But
           all
           must
           be
           Conjunctive
           ,
           but
           one
           
             Body
             Politick
             ,
          
           or
           the
           work
           will
           never
           be
           done
           .
        
         
           Quest.
           6.
           
           
             The
             sixth
             Question
             is
             ,
          
           What
           will
           be
           the
           Advantage
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           in
           general
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Poor
           in
           particular
           ,
           that
           will
           accrue
           by
           such
           a
           Society
           of
           men
           ,
           more
           than
           is
           enjoyned
           by
           the
           Laws
           at
           present
           ?
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           Innumerable
           and
           unspeakable
           are
           the
           Benefits
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           
           that
           will
           arise
           from
           the
           Consultations
           and
           Debates
           of
           such
           a
           wise
           and
           honest
           Council
           ,
           who
           being
           men
           so
           elected
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           will
           certainly
           conscionably
           study
           and
           labour
           to
           discharge
           their
           Trust
           in
           this
           service
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           their
           
             King
             ,
          
           and
           
             Countrey
             .
          
        
         
           
             1st
             .
          
           The
           Poor
           ,
           of
           what
           quality
           soever
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           are
           met
           with
           ,
           will
           be
           immediately
           relieved
           or
           set
           on
           Work
           where
           they
           are
           found
           ,
           without
           hurrying
           them
           from
           place
           to
           place
           ,
           and
           torturing
           their
           Bodies
           to
           no
           purpose
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Charitable-minded-men
           will
           know
           certainly
           where
           to
           dispose
           of
           their
           Charity
           ,
           so
           as
           it
           may
           be
           employed
           to
           right
           purposes
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           House-keepers
           will
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           intollerable
           incumbrance
           of
           Beggars
           at
           their
           Doors
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           Plantations
           will
           be
           regularly
           supplied
           with
           Servants
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           are
           sent
           thither
           well
           provided
           for
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           
             The
             said
             Assembly
             will
             doubtless
             appoint
             some
             of
             their
             own
             Members
             to
             visit
             and
             relieve
             such
             as
             are
             sick
             ,
          
           as
           often
           as
           there
           shall
           be
           occasion
           ,
           together
           with
           Poor
           labouring
           Families
           both
           in
           
             City
          
           and
           
             Suburbs
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           
             Poor
             Children
             will
             be
             instructed
             in
             Learning
             and
             Arts
             ,
          
           and
           thereby
           rendred
           serviceable
           to
           their
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           worthy
           Acts
           done
           for
           Publick
           good
           by
           the
           joynt
           Deliberation
           of
           so
           many
           Prudent
           and
           Pious
           Men
           ,
           assisted
           with
           such
           a
           Power
           and
           Purse
           ,
           more
           than
           can
           be
           foreseen
           or
           expressed
           by
           a
           Private
           .
           Person
           .
        
         
           Quest.
           7.
           
           
             The
             seventh
             Question
             may
             be
             ,
          
           What
           shall
           all
           the
           Poor
           of
           these
           Cities
           and
           Countries
           ,
           being
           very
           numerous
           ,
           be
           employed
           about
           ?
        
         
           This
           Question
           will
           be
           answer'd
           best
           by
           the
           said
           Assembly
           themselves
           when
           they
           have
           met
           and
           consulted
           together
           ,
           who
           cannot
           be
           presumed
           deficient
           of
           Invention
           to
           set
           all
           the
           Poor
           on
           Work
           ,
           especially
           since
           they
           may
           easily
           have
           admirable
           Presidents
           from
           the
           practice
           of
           
             Holland
          
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           and
           have
           already
           very
           good
           ones
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           in
           the
           Orders
           of
           their
           
             Hospitals
          
           of
           
             Christ-Church
          
           and
           
             Bridewell
          
           in
           
             London
             ;
          
           the
           
             Girls
             may
             be
             employed
             in
             mending
             the
             cloaths
             of
             the
             Aged
             ,
             in
             Spinning
             ,
             Carding
             ,
             and
             other
             Linnen
             Manufactures
             ,
             and
             many
             in
             Sowing
             Linnen
             for
             the
             Exchange
             ,
             or
             any
             House-keepers
             that
             will
             put
             out
             Linnen
             to
             the
             Matrons
             that
             have
             the
             Government
             of
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             The
             Boys
             in
             picking
             Okam
             ,
             making
             Pins
             ,
             rasping
             Wood
             ,
             making
             Hangings
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Manufactures
             of
             any
             kind
             ,
          
           which
           whether
           it
           turns
           to
           present
           Profit
           or
           not
           ,
           is
           not
           much
           material
           ,
           the
           great
           Business
           of
           the
           Nation
           being
           first
           but
           to
           keep
           the
           Poor
           from
           Begging
           and
           Starving
           ,
           and
           enuring
           such
           as
           are
           able
           to
           Labour
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           hereafter
           useful
           Members
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           But
           to
           conclude
           ,
           I
           say
           the
           wisest
           Man
           ,
           living
           solitarily
           ,
           cannot
           propose
           or
           imagine
           such
           excellent
           ways
           and
           methods
           as
           will
           be
           invented
           by
           the
           united
           Wisdom
           of
           so
           grave
           an
           
             Assembly
             .
          
        
         
           The
           sitting
           of
           the
           said
           
             Assembly
          
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           
             De
             die
             in
             diem
             ;
             
               the
            
             Quorum
          
           not
           more
           than
           thirteen
           ;
           whether
           they
           shall
           Yearly
           ,
           Monthly
           or
           Weekly
           choose
           a
           
             President
             ,
          
           how
           they
           shall
           distribute
           themselves
           into
           the
           several
           quarters
           of
           the
           
             Communication
             ,
          
           what
           
             Treasurers
          
           and
           other
           
             Officers
          
           to
           employ
           ,
           and
           where
           ,
           and
           how
           many
           ,
           will
           best
           be
           determined
           by
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           without
           difficulty
           ,
           because
           many
           that
           will
           probably
           be
           Members
           of
           the
           said
           
             Assembly
             ,
          
           have
           already
           had
           large
           experience
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           
             Hospitals
          
           of
           
             London
             ;
          
           The
           manner
           of
           Election
           of
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           I
           
           humbly
           suppose
           ,
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           better
           contrived
           than
           after
           the
           same
           way
           which
           the
           
             East-India-Company
          
           choose
           their
           
             Committee
             ,
          
           which
           will
           prevent
           the
           Confusion
           ,
           Irregularity
           and
           Incertitude
           that
           may
           attend
           the
           Election
           of
           Voices
           ,
           or
           holding
           up
           of
           Hands
           ;
           especially
           because
           the
           Persons
           to
           be
           elected
           at
           one
           time
           will
           be
           very
           many
           ;
           the
           said
           manner
           proposed
           is
           ,
           every
           
             Elector
             ,
             viz.
          
           every
           
             Livery-man
          
           to
           bring
           to
           
             Guild-Hall
          
           at
           the
           appointed
           day
           for
           Elections
           ,
           a
           List
           of
           the
           whole
           number
           of
           Persons
           ,
           such
           as
           he
           thinks
           fit
           that
           are
           to
           be
           Elected
           ,
           and
           deliver
           the
           same
           openly
           unto
           such
           Persons
           as
           the
           
             Lord
             Mayor
             ,
             Aldermen
             ,
          
           and
           
             Common-Council-Men
          
           shall
           appoint
           to
           make
           the
           Scrutiny
           ;
           which
           Persons
           so
           entrusted
           with
           the
           said
           Scrutiny
           ,
           seven
           ,
           or
           ten
           days
           after
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           thought
           fit
           ,
           at
           another
           
             Common-Hall
          
           may
           declare
           who
           are
           the
           Persons
           Elected
           by
           the
           Majority
           of
           Votes
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           here
           objected
           to
           the
           whole
           purpose
           of
           this
           Treatise
           ,
           that
           this
           Work
           may
           as
           well
           be
           done
           in
           distinct
           
             Parishes
             ,
          
           if
           all
           
             Parishes
          
           were
           obliged
           to
           build
           
             Work-houses
             ,
          
           and
           employ
           their
           Poor
           therein
           ;
           as
           
             Dorchester
          
           and
           some
           others
           have
           done
           with
           good
           success
           .
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           that
           such
           attempts
           have
           been
           made
           in
           many
           Places
           to
           my
           Knowledge
           ,
           with
           very
           good
           intents
           and
           strenuous
           endeavours
           ,
           but
           all
           that
           ever
           I
           heard
           of
           ,
           proved
           vain
           and
           ineffectual
           ,
           as
           I
           fear
           will
           that
           of
           
             Clerkenwell
             ,
          
           except
           that
           single
           instance
           of
           the
           Town
           of
           
             Dorchestor
             ,
          
           which
           yet
           signifies
           nothing
           in
           Relation
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           in
           general
           ,
           because
           all
           other
           places
           cannot
           do
           the
           like
           ,
           nor
           doth
           the
           Town
           of
           
             Dorchester
          
           entertain
           any
           but
           their
           own
           
             Poor
          
           only
           ,
           and
           Whip
           away
           all
           others
           ;
           whereas
           that
           which
           I
           design
           ,
           is
           to
           propose
           such
           a
           Foundation
           as
           shall
           be
           large
           ,
           wise
           ,
           honest
           ,
           and
           rich
           enough
           to
           maintain
           and
           employ
           all
           
             Poor
          
           that
           come
           within
           the
           Pale
           of
           their
           Communication
           ,
           without
           enquiring
           where
           they
           were
           born
           ,
           or
           last
           inhabited
           :
           Which
           I
           dare
           affirm
           with
           Humility
           ,
           that
           nothing
           but
           a
           
             National
             ,
          
           or
           at
           least
           such
           a
           
             Provincial
          
           Purse
           can
           so
           well
           do
           ,
           nor
           any
           Persons
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           but
           such
           only
           as
           shall
           be
           pickt
           out
           by
           popular
           Election
           ,
           for
           the
           Reason
           before
           alledged
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           That
           in
           my
           Opinion
           ,
           
             three
             fourths
          
           at
           least
           of
           the
           Stock
           must
           issue
           from
           the
           Charity
           of
           the
           People
           ;
           as
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           it
           will
           to
           a
           greater
           proportion
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           satisfied
           in
           the
           
             Managers
          
           thereof
           ;
           but
           if
           otherwise
           not
           the
           fortieth
           ,
           I
           might
           say
           not
           the
           hundredth
           part
           .
        
         
           I
           propose
           the
           Majority
           of
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
          
           to
           be
           
             Citizens
             (
             though
             I
             am
             none
             my self
          
           )
           because
           I
           think
           a
           great
           share
           of
           the
           Money
           to
           be
           employed
           ,
           must
           and
           will
           come
           from
           them
           ,
           if
           ever
           the
           Work
           be
           well
           done
           ,
           as
           also
           ,
           because
           their
           Habitations
           are
           nearest
           the
           Center
           of
           their
           Business
           ,
           and
           they
           best
           acquainted
           with
           all
           Affairs
           of
           this
           Nature
           by
           their
           experience
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           
             Hospitals
             .
          
        
         
           Earnestly
           to
           desire
           and
           endeavour
           ,
           that
           the
           Poor
           of
           
             England
          
           should
           be
           better
           provided
           for
           and
           employed
           ,
           is
           a
           Work
           that
           was
           much
           studied
           by
           my
           deceased
           
             Father
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           though
           I
           be
           as
           ready
           to
           confess
           as
           any
           shall
           be
           to
           charge
           me
           with
           Disability
           to
           propose
           a
           Model
           of
           Laws
           for
           this
           great
           Affair
           ,
           yet
           I
           hope
           the
           more
           ingenious
           will
           pardon
           me
           for
           endeavouring
           to
           give
           aim
           towards
           it
           ,
           since
           it
           is
           so
           much
           my
           Duty
           ,
           which
           in
           this
           particular
           I
           shall
           be
           careful
           to
           perform
           (
           though
           I
           may
           be
           too
           remiss
           in
           others
           )
           as
           shall
           appear
           by
           more
           visible
           and
           apparent
           Demonstrations
           ,
           if
           ever
           this
           design
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           (
           that
           is
           like
           to
           effect
           what
           is
           desired
           )
           succeed
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .