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3 Norfolk House of Industry
4 Oakham Spinning School
5 Account of the Society
5 Dorchester Jail
6 Society General Committee
6 Supplying Fuel
7 Stoke parochial relief
10 Stewed Ox Head
12 Foundling Hospital Kitchen
13 House of Recovery
15 Whitewashing
16 Parish Midwife
18 Iver Soup Shop
20 County Durham Children
21 Female Lying In
27 Industry in Essex
28 London Soup Shop
29 Lewisham School of Industry
30 Birmingham Soup Kitchen
32 Boldre Poorhouse
33 Epping Parish Dinner
38 Hull Society
39 Spitalfields Soup Shop
Preliminary Address
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The
Society for Bettering the Condition and Increasing the Comforts of the Poor
The Reports of the Society for Bettering the Condition
and Increasing the Comforts of the Poor. Vol 1 1798 446 pp
There is a note that the book was No 21 in the Bathampton Sale 22nd January 1828 and a
bookplate of Rev Sir George Lee Bt Hartwell.
Contents Include
Preliminary
address to the Public by Thomas Bernard
Other works noticed therein.
Count Rumford's Essays
Essays, Political, Economical, and Philosophical. 4 vols 1796-1802
The Essays on Food and Management of the Poor were re-issued the former at
Dublin in 1847 and the latter in London in 1851.
Also an American Edition at Boston in 1870 with a 5th volume as a Memoir by G E
Ellis in 1875 at Philadelphia.
Mr Wm Wilberforce's Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of
Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes of this Country, contrated
with Real Christianity. 1797.
Sir Fred Eden's valuable work on the poor - multi vol
The State of the Poor; or an History of the Labouring Classes in England from
the Conquest to the present period; in which are particularly considered their
domestic economy, with respect to their diet, dress, fuel, and habitation; and
the various plans which, from time to time, have been proposed, and adopted for
the relief of the poor etc in 3 volumes 1797
vol i - contains the treatise
on the poor.
vol ii - parochial reports relating
to the administration of workhouses and houses of industry, friendly societies,
etc vol iii - parochial
reports continued, and an appendix containing tables of prices and wages etc.
Appendix 18 is a catalogue of publications on subjects relative to the poor.
He also wrote in 1801
Observations on Friendly Societies, for the maintenance of the industrious
classes during sickness, infirmity, old age, and other exigencies.
Sir William Young's M. P. - Observations Preliminary to a Proposed Amendment of
the Poor Laws. 1788
Sir William Young's M. P. - Considerations on the Subject of Poorhouses and
Workhouses : their Pernicious Tendency. 1796.
No 1 to 39 with 8 Appendices and List of Subscribers.
1 Extract from an account of a friendly society at
Castle Eden in Co Durham by Rowland Burdon Esq pp 001-016
2 Extract from an account of a village shop at Mongewell
in the county of Oxford by Bp of Durham pp 017-027
3 Extract from an account of an incorporated house of
industry, for two united hundreds in the county of
Norfolk by Edward Parry Esq pp 028-041
4 Extract from an account of a spinning school at Oakhan
in the county of Rutland by the Earl of Winchilsea
pp 042-046
5 Extract from an account of the jail and house of correction
at Dorchester by Wm Morton Pitt, Esq pp 047-054
6 Extract from an account of a provision made upon an inclosure, for supplying the poor with fuel. by Edward
Parry Esq. pp 055-057
7 Extract from an account of the mode adopted as to
parochial relief, in the hundred of Stoke, Bucks
by Thomas Bernard, Esq pp 058-068
8 Extract from an account of a parish windmill on Barham
Downs, in the county of Kent by Thomas Bernard Esq
pp 069-077
9 Extract from an account of a village shop for supplying
the poor with coals, at prime cost. by Rev Dr Glasse
pp 078-080
10 Extract from an account of the manner and expence of making stewed ox's head for the poor. by Mrs Shore of
Norton Hall in Derbyshire. pp 081-085
11 Extract from an account of an annual distribution of linen
to the poor, with a proposal as to a mode of supplying
them with blankets. by Rev Mr Dolling, late Vicar of
Aldenham, Herts. pp 086-088
12 Extract from an account of the kitchen, fitted up at the
Foundling, under the direction of Count Rumford. by the
Matron of the Foundling. pp 089-097
13 Extract from an account of the House of Recovery,
established by the board of health at Manchester, by
Thomas Bernard, Esq. pp 098-115
14 Extract from an account of three cottagers renting land
in Rutlandshire. by Bishop of Durham. pp 116-119
15 Extract from an account of the expence and benefit of
frequently whitewashing the rooms of a poorhouse.
by William Emm, Esq Secretary to Bp of Durham pp 120-125
16 Extract from an account of the mode of supplying a country parish with a midwife. by Rev Mr Dolling, late Vicar
of Aldenham, Herts. pp 126-128
17 Extract from an account of the advantages of cottagers
renting land. by the Earl of Winchilsea pp 129-139
18 Extract from an account of a village soup shop at Iver
in the county of Bucks. by Mrs Bernard. pp 140-145
19 Extract from an account of a chimney-sweeper's boy,
with observations and a proposal for the relief of
chimney sweepers. by Thomas Bernard Esq. pp 146-156
20 Extract from an account of a charity for placing out
poor children, at Greetham in the county of Durham
by Rev John Brewster. pp 157-162
21 Extract from an account of a charity for assisting the
female poor, at the period of their lying-in. by Rev
Robert Holt. pp 163-165
22 Extract from an account of an attempt to ascertain the
circumstances of the beggars of London, and the best
mode of relieving them, with observations. by Thomas
Bernard Esq. pp 166-175
23 Extract from an account of a mode, adopted in Staffordshire, for supplying the poor with milk. by Rev
Thomas
Gisborne. pp 176-183
24 Extract from an account of a plan for allowing the poor
a bounty on their work. by Thomas Hall Esq. pp 184-186
25 Extract from an account of the benefit of the use of rice
by The Matron of the Foundling. pp 187-192
26 Extract from an account of the advantage of a cottager
keeping a pig. by Rev Dr Glasse. pp 193-196.
27 Extract from an account of a society, for promotion of
industry in the county of Essex. by John Conyers Esq.
pp 197-204
28 Extract from an account of a London soup shop. by
William Hillyer. pp 205-212
29 Extract from an account of a school of industry for
children at Lewisham in Kent. by John Forster Esq.
pp 213-225
30 Extract from an account of the manner in which the poor
have lately been supplied with bread and meat soup, at
Birmingham. by Thomas Bernard Esq. pp 226-237
31 Extract from an account of the provisions made for the
benefit of the Duke of Bridgewater's colliers, near
Manchester, with observations. by Rev Thomas Gisborne
pp 238-243
32 Extract from the Rev Mr Gilpin's account of the new
poorhouse at Boldre in Hampshire. by Bp of Durham.
pp 244-254
33 Extract from an account of a parish dinner for poor
children, at Epping by Thomas Bernard Esq. pp 255-266
34 Extract from an account of a mode adopted in the parish
of Hadham in the county of Hertford, for supplying the
poor with flour of the best quality, and at a reasonable
rate. by Rev Dr Hamilton. pp 267-272
35 Extract from an account of two schools, founded by the Rev
Mr Gilpin, at Boldre in Hampshire. by Sir Robert Harvey
Bt. pp 273-281
36 Extract from an account of a female friendly society at
Empingham in the county of Rutland by Rev Robert Blythe
pp 282-285
37 Extract from an account of a school of industry for sixty
girls, at Bamburgh Castle. by Rev R G Bowyer. pp 286-294
38 Extract from Mr Oxley's account of the "poor and stranger's friend society" at Hull. by William Wilberforce. Esq
pp 295-302
39 Extract from an account of a charity in Spitalfields,
for supplying the poor with soup and potatoes; with
observations, by Thomas Bernard, Esq. pp 303-312
Notes and additional observations collected by a member of the Committee. pp 313-366
App
1 A general view of the situation of the mining poor.
by Rev Thomas Gisborne. pp 367-385
2 Observations on cottages, with a plan for enabling
cottagers to build them. by William Morton Pitt, Esq
pp 386-391
3 Observations on the larger sort of cottages, and the
mode of erecting them. by Nathaniel Kent. Esq pp 392-399
4 Charge to Overseers of the Poor. by Thomas Bernard Esq
pp 400-412
5 Account of the Society, its object, subjects of inquiry,
regulations etc. pp 413-423
6 General Committee of the Society pp 424-425
7 Subscribers to the Society pp 426-436
8 General Index to the First Volume. pp 437-446
Source:
The Reports of the Society for Bettering the Condition
and Increasing the Comforts of the Poor. Vol 1 1798 446 pp
Submitted by Alan Longbottom
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Preliminary address To the Public by Thomas Bernard
dated 27th April 1797.pp i-xxii
The interests of the poorer classes of society are so interwoven with those of every part of the community, that there is no subject more deserving of general attention, nor any knowledge more entitled to the exalted name of science, than that in which their well-being is concerned - than that, the tendency of which is to carry domestic comfort into the recesses of every cottage, and to add to the virtue and morality of a nation, by increasing its happiness. The noblest and most elevated employments of the human mind lose their importance, when placed in competition with researches, on which the welfare and good conduct of millions may depend; and the result whereof may add as much to national propserity as to individual benefit.
Let us therefore make the inquiry into all that concerns the poor, and the promotion of their happiness, a Science, - let us investigate practically, and upon system, the nature and consequences, and let us unite in the extension and improvement, of those things which experience hath ascertained to be beneficial to the poor. - Let the labours of the industrious - the talents of the wise - the influence of the powerful - and the leisure of the many, be directed to this important subject; and let us be assured, that united and patient industry will not fail of success.
The principle of all modern improvements on the sciences - in the arts in every thing in which the industry of man has extended the narrow limits of human knowledge - that principle, without which all is conjecture and hazard, has never yet been properly applied to the concerns of the poor. A search after what has really augmented their happiness and virtue - after what use and experience have given their sanction to - an investigation of facts and existing circumstances - this has never yet been fairly and fully made. For a period of more than tow centuries, the attention of the nation has been engaged by a succession of projects, for the management of the poor; - almost all of them originating in benevolence; and every one of them received in a manner, and with an interest, that distinctly marked the public anxiety upon the subject. The good effects however, as to the poor, have been limited and uncertain: - the project having originated not in them, but in the projector;- not in fact, but in speculation. We all feel how far we can be led by encouragement - by kindness - by management, and while we retain the idea of choice and freewill. We all know, in our own instances, how little is to be effected by compulsion;- that, where force begins, inclination ceases. Let us then give effect to that master-spring of action, that on which equally depends the prosperity of individuals and of empires - The Desire Implanted in the Human Breast of Bettering its Condition. Let it be our endeavour to give that principle its full effect among the lower classes of society. Our Duty to the Poor is a Personal Service, Injoined by the Highest Authority, and Cannot be Commuted : it is a workin which no man has a right to be idle - "Where is it that in such a world as this, health and leisure and affluence may not find some ignorance to instruct, some wrong to redress, some misery to alleviate?
Shall ambition and avarice never sleep ?
shall they never want objects on which to fasten ?
shall they be so observant to discover, so acute to discern, so eager, so patient to pursue, and shall the benevolence of Christians want employment ?"
Quote from :- Mr Wilberforce's - Practical View.
I am aware, that there is not, in general, much credit given to the good dispositions of the poor; and that we may be told that we are endeavouring to serve those, who will not be served, - I know it is said, among other things, that they are jealous of everything that can be done for them, and averse to profit by information. - In truth, it is not entirely without cause, that the poor are jealous of the variety of measures, however well intended, that are brought forward with regard to them; they understand as little of the motives, as the theorist does of the consequences of his experiment - s to unwillingness to profit by information, it may indeed be sometimes imputable to the lower, as well as to the higher classes of life. But the poor have never yet had a fair trial; - Let useful and practical information be offered to them; give them time to understand, and the choice of adopting it; and I am mistaken, if they do not shew as much good sense on the subject, as any other class of men in the kingdom.
There is a common theme of declamation, particularly among those - who are very little employed themselves, and that is, the idleness of the poor. - How far this is exclusively imputable to the labourer, let those judge who have seen him working by the piece, and not by the day, - I do not mean, by the distinction, to admit any culpable degree of idleness, in those who work by the day; but in task-work, where the earnings are proportioned to the degree of labour and energy employed, I have often wished it were possible to restrain the poor man from injuring himself by excess of exertion; - the fatal effect of which I have too frequently seen.
Another imputation on the poor is drunkenness - an odious and pernicious vice, not confined, I fear, to any particular class of men. - Upon this subject, it must be a very great satisfaction to every friend of his country, that the fatal and poisonous custom of dram-drinking is not now so noxiously prevalent among the lower ranks of life as it has been ; - the present consumption of British spirits, (notwithstanding all our increase of population and manufactures) being much less than it was half a century ago. Of ale and beer, a wholesome and nourishing beverage for the labouring poor, there may be an increased consumption, though, I believe, no excess upon the whole; however it might be wished that the quantity, which they have, were more wisely husbanded and applied by them, to the purposes of their own domestic comfort and enjoyment.
Before we give judgement, however, upon the crimes of the poor, it will be prudence, at least, to examine how far we have, in any degree, been accessories. - If habitual drunkenness be frequently the consequence of weakness of body, or of despondency of mind; and among the poor at least, most prevalent where the constitution has been impaired by comfortless habits of life, or by want of nutritive and regular food, - and if, of every species of idleness, that of hopeless indigence be the most inveterate - was it not our duty - were we not bound by every tie, moral and religious - to have assisted and encourages them in the use of a better system of diet - to have increased the internal comfort of their habitations, - and to have converted listless indolence, which is without energy, when it is without hope, into cheerful, active and prosperous industry ?
See Sir Fred Eden's valuable work on the Poor Vol O pp 491-590.
Upon our proposed subjects of inquiry, it would be hardly fair to expect much in the very infancy of an establishment. - Something however, has been already done - Friendly Societies are the objects of the first paper; which presents an interesting detail respecting one at Castle Eden, upon a scale capable of general adoption; it contains an important illustration of the true principle of action with regard to the poor; and proves how much they may, in a short time, learn to do for themselves, and to what a degree of kindness and affection they may be habituated to extend their interest in the welfare of each other. The manner in which the poor and industrious member of that society has been assisted in the purchase of his cow, and its beneficial consequences both to the individual and to the property with which he is connected, by increasing and improving the stock upon it, is deserving of attention and imitation.
The second is an account of a village shop; - a subject, the importance of which will be felt by all, who interest themselves in the domestic concerns of the poor, when it is known, that a saving of above 20% may be thereby made to the labourer, in the purchase of the necessaries of life;- that it is the most effectual means to prevent his running into debt;- that the expence and trouble, to the charitable founder of the shop, is inconsiderable; and that it is liable to no objection, but what may be easily obviated.
The next communication is upon workhouses of united hundreds; an inquiry of no small importance at the present moment. - The mode of their management, and the objections and inconveniences that attend them, even under the best regulations and management, are stated with clearness and perspicuity;
See - Sir William Young's - Observations, published 1788 and his Considerations on the subject of Poorhouses and Workhouses, 1796.
The rules of a spinning school, establishd with success at Oakham, upon the principles of Count Rumford, is the next in order :- a school, where the poor attend with pleasure and regularity, and thankfully receive the benefit of a cheaper and more nourishing diet, upplied to them at a very small price; - and for these reasons simply - because they are allowed to continue, free agents, and to retain an option on the subject; and because they have the whole of their earnings inviolably at their own disposal. - May the example be speedily followed in other parts of England !
The fifth is an account of the jail and house of correction at Dorchester. When we consider the important consequences of what has been effected there, in annually saving, to the public and to themselves, many persons otherwise abandoned to destruction, we cannot help lamenting that so very few similar instances are to be found in the whole kingdom. - The principle of this reform will apply, with still greater force, to every measure that regards the local and domestic concerns of mankind; in all of which it will invariably be found, that in proportion as coercian is given up, and the interest of the party is made the spring of action, temptations to vice will be excluded, and habits of labour and honesty will be gradually acquired.
In the next paper, upon fuel, the reader will find a very gratifying proof, that the poor may be easily reconciled to inclosures, or to any other measure of public benefit, where their own feelings and interests are only properly consulted. The last communication is on parochial relief, and the mode and principle upon which it has been administered by the magistrates of the hundred of Stoke.
I cannot close, without suggesting to the reader some of the very beneficial effects, which may be produced by union and perseverance in a proper system of conduct with regard to the poor; our present parochial expences being at the same time diminished, and a very gentle and gradual variation being made in our code of poor laws. - Let it be imagined that the land-owber may be awakened to his real interest, and the industrious labourer be supplied with a sufficient portion of garden ground, and, in many instances, with the means of keeping his cow; that the fire-places of cottagers be improved, and their supply of fuel increased, so as to give more comfort to their habitations, and to remove an inducement to petty thefts, too frequently the source of criminal habits:
See - The Earl of Winchilsea's letter on the advantage of cottagers renting land. 1796. That parish mills, village shops, and all other means of affording the poor a plentiful and cheap supply of the necessaries of life, be gradually introduced wherever they may be useful and proper; - that the cases of beggars be inquired into; - that the idle and criminal be compelled to work, and the friendless and distressed either relieved at home, or received into a clean and comfortable asylum - that the condition of poor children, consigned in lots as apprentices to manufactories, and there left unprotected and forgotten, be placed under a system of inspection. - Let us suppose friendly societies the subjects of individual and voluntary aid and encouragement in every part of the kingdom: - parish workhouses amended and regulated, and tenanted only by persons who should be resident in them - those whose forlorn and insulated condition precludes their doing better out of them:- and lastly, that parish relief be systematically directed to the encouragement of industry and economy, and to making the poor man happy in his own cottage, instead of its being the instrument of driving him and his family into a workhouse. -
Suppose even a part of this effected, and then let the reader himslef judge, what must be its operation on the poor - on the rich - on every class and rank of society ? What must be the addition to individual morality and happiness ? What to national security and propserity ?
Dated 27th April 1797 - Thomas Bernard.
Source:
The Reports of the Society for Bettering the Condition and Increasing the Comforts of the Poor. Vol 1 1798 446 pp
Submitted by Alan Longbottom
Page updated August 06, 2007
by Rossbret
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Society for the Poor