The history of the poor laws: with observations / By Richard Burn.

  • Burn, Richard, 1709-1785.
Date:
1764
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of the poor laws: with observations / By Richard Burn. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    143/308 (page 135)
    Ch.6. ScIjtlHt6 pjopareD. and as nothing that this author hath delivered is tedious to the reader; I will infert his propofol at length, in his own words. Lord Hale’s Plan. A Due care for the relief of the poor is an a6t, Firft, of great piety towards almighty god, who requires it of us. He hath left the poor as his pupils, and the rich as his ftewards to provide for them. It is one of thofe great tri¬ butes that he juftly requires from the reft of mankind; which becaufe they cannot pay to him, he hath lcattered the poor amongft them, as his fubftitutes and receivers. Secondly, It is an a<ft of greateft humanity among men. Mercy and benignity is due to the very beafts that ferve us •, much more, to thofe that are partakers of the fame common nature with us. Thirdly, It is an a<ft of great civil prudence and political wifdom : For poverty in it felf is apt to emafculate the minds of men, or at leaft it makes men tumultuous and unquiet. Where there are many very poor, the rich cannot long or fafely continue fuch. Neceftity renders men of phlegmatic and dull natures ftupid and indif- ciplinable, and men of more fiery or active con- ftitutions rapacious and defperate. At this day, it feems to me, that the English nation is more deficient in their prudent provi-