essays-1-第12章
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ut the facility with which they acquired address in the various manufactures in which they were employed； was very remarkable； and much exceeded my expectation。 But what was quite surprising； and at the same time interesting in the highest degree； was the apparent and rapid change which was produced in their manners；in their general behaviour；and even in the very air of their countenances； upon being a little accustomed to their new situations。 The kind usage they met with； and the comforts they enjoyed； seemed to have softened their hearts； and awakened in them sentiments as new and surprising to themselves； as they were interesting to those about them。
The melancholy gloom of misery； and air of uneasiness and embarrassment； disappeared by little and little from their countenances； and were succeeded by a timid dawn of cheerfulness； rendered most exquisitely interesting by a certain mixture of silent gratitude； which no language can describe。
In the infancy of this establishment； when these poor creatures were first brought together； I used very frequently to visit them；to speak kindly to them；and to encourage them；and I seldom passed through the halls where they were at work； without being a witness to the most moving scenes。
Objects； formerly the most miserable and wretched； whom I had seen for years as beggars in the streets；…young women；perhaps the unhappy victims of seduction； who； having lost their reputation； and being turned adrift in the world； without a friend and without a home； were reduced to the necessity of begging； to sustain a miserable existence； now recognized me as their benefactor； and； with tears dropping fast from their cheeks； continued their work in the most expressive silence。
If they were asked； what the matter was with them？ their answer was； （〃nichts〃） 〃nothing；〃 accompanied by a look of affectionate regard and gratitude； so exquisitely touching as frequently to draw tears from the most insensible of the bystanders。
It was not possible to be mistaken with respect to the real state of the minds of these poor people； every thing about them showed that they were deeply affected with the kindness shown them； and that their hearts were really softened； appeared； not only from their unaffected expressions of gratitude； but also from the effusions of their affectionate regard for those who were dear to them。 In short； never did I witness such affecting scenes as passed between some of these poor people and their children。
It was mentioned above that the children were separated from the grown persons。 This was the case at first； but as soon as order was thoroughly established in every part of the house； and the poor people had acquired a certain degree of address in their work； and evidently took pleasure in it； as many of those who had children expressed an earnest desire to have them near them； permission was granted for that purpose； and the spinning halls； by degrees； were filled with the most interesting little groups of industrious families； who vied with each other in diligence and address； and who displayed a scene； at once the most busy； and the most cheerful； that can be imagined。
An industrious family is ever a pleasing object； but there was something peculiarly interesting and affecting in the groups of these poor people。 Whether it was； that those who saw them compared their present situation with the state of misery and wretchedness from which they had been taken； or whether it was the joy and exultation which were expressed in the countenances of the poor parents in contemplating their children all busily employed about them；or the air of self…satisfaction which these little urchins put on； at the consciousness of their own dexterity； while they pursued their work with redoubled diligence upon being observed； that rendered the scene so singularly interesting； I know not； but certain it is； that few strangers who visited the establishment； came out of these halls without being much affected。
Many humane and well…disposed persons are often withheld from giving alms； on account of the bad character of beggars in general； but this circumstance； though it ought undoubtedly to be taken into consideration in determining the mode of administering our charitable assistance； should certainly not prevent our interesting ourselves in the fate of these unhappy beings。 On the contrary； it ought to be an additional incitement to us to relieve them；for nothing is more certain； than that their crimes are very often the EFFECTS； not the CAUSES of their misery； and when this is the case； by removing the cause； the effects will cease。
Nothing is more extraordinary and unaccountable； than the inconsistency of mankind in every thing； even in the practice of that divine virtue benevolence； and most of our mistakes arise more from indolence and from inattention； than from any thing else。 The busy part of mankind are too intent upon their own private pursuits； and those who have leisure； are too averse from giving themselves trouble； to investigate a subject but too generally considered as tiresome and uninteresting。 But if it be true； that we are really happy only in proportion as we ought to be so； that is； in proportion as we are instrumental in promoting the happiness of others； no study surely can be so interesting； as that which teaches us how most effectually to contribute to the well…being of our fellow…creatures。
If LOVE be blind； SELF…LOVE is certainly very short…sighted； and without the assistance of reason and reflection； is but a bad guide in the pursuit of happiness。
Those who take pleasure in depreciating all the social virtues have represented pity as a mere selfish passion； and there are some circumstances which appear to justify this opinion。 It is certain that the misfortunes of others affect us； not in proportion to their greatness； but in proportion to their nearness to ourselves； or to the chances that they may reach us in our turns。 A rich man is infinitely more affected at the misfortune of his neighbour； who； by the failure of a banker with whom he had trusted the greater part of his fortune；by an unlucky run at play；or by other losses； is reduced to a state of affluence； to the necessity of laying down his carriage； leaving the town；and retiring into the country upon a few hundreds a…year；than by the total ruin of the industrious tradesman over the way； who is dragged to prison； and his numerous family of young and helpless children left to starve。
But however selfish pity may be； BENEVOLENCE certainly springs from a more noble origin。 It is a good…natured；generous sentiment； which does not require being put to the torture in order to be stimulated to action。 And it is this sentiment； not pity； or compassion； which I would wish to excite。
Pity is always attended with pain； and if our sufferings at being witnesses of the distresses of others； sometimes force us to relieve them； we can neither have much merit； nor any lasting satisfaction； from such involuntary acts of charity； but the enjoyments which result from acts of genuine benevolence are as lasting as they are exquisitely delightful； and the more they contribute to that inward peace of mind and self…approbation； which alone constitute real happiness。 This is the 〃soul's calm sun…shine； and the heart…felt joy；〃 which is virtue's prize。
To induce mankind to engage in any enterprise； it is necessary； first； to show that success will be attended with real advantage； and secondly； that is may be obtained without much difficulty。 The rewards attendant upon acts of benevolence have so often been described and celebrated； in every country and in every language； that it would be presumption in me to suppose I could add any thing new upon a subject already discussed by the greatest masters of rhetoric； and embellished with all the irresistible charms of eloquence； but as EXAMPLE OF SUCCESS are sometimes more efficacious in stimulating mankind to action； than the most splendid reasonings and admonitions； it is upon my SUCCESS in the enterprise of which I have undertaken to give an account； that my hopes of engaging others to follow such an example are chiefly founded； and hence it is； that I so often return to that part of my subject； and insist with so much perseverance upon the pleasure which this success afforded me。 I am aware that I expose myself to being suspected of ostentation； particularly by those who are not able to enter fully into my situation and feelings； but neither this； nor any other consideration； shall prevent me from treating the subject in such a manner as may appear best adapted to render my labours of public utility。
Why should I not mention even the marks of affectionate regard and respect which I received from the poor people for those happiness I interested myself； and the testimonies of the public esteem with which I was honored？Will it be reckoned vanity； if I mention the concern which the Poor of Munich expressed in so affecting a manner when I was dangerously ill？that they went publicly in a body in procession to the cathedral church； where they had divine service performed； and put up public prayers for my recovery？that four years afterwards； on hearing that I was again dangerously ill at Naples。 they； of their own accord； set apart an hour each evening； after they had finished their work in the Military Work…house； to pray for me？
Will it be thought improper to mention the affecting reception I met with from them； at my first visit to the Military Work…house upon my return to Munich last summer； after an absence of fifteen months； a scene which drew tears from all who were present？and must I refute myself the satisfaction of describing the fete I gave them in return； in the English Garden； at which 1800 poor people of all ages； and above 30；000 of the inhabitants of Munich； assisted？ and all this pleasure I must forego； merely that I may not be thought vain and ostentatious？Be it so then； but I would just beg leave to call the reader's attention to my feelings upon the occasion； and then let him ask himself； if any earthly reward can possibly be supposed greater；any enjoyments more complete； than those I received。 Let him figure to himself； if he can； my situation； sick in bed； worn out by intense application； and dying； as every body thought； a martyr in the cause to which I had devoted myself；let him imagine； I say； my feelings； upon hearing the confused noise of the prayers of a multitude of people； who were passing by in the streets； upon being told； that it was the Poor of Munich； many hundreds in number； who were going in procession to the church to put up public prayers for me：public prayers for me！for a private person！a stranger！a protestant！I believe it is the first instance of the kind that ever happened；and I dare venture to affirm that no proof could well be stronger than this； that the measures adopted for making these poor people happy； were really successful；and let it be remembered； that this fact is what I am most anxious to make appear； IN THE CLEAREST AND MOST SATISFACTORY MANNER。
CHAPTER。 VIII。
Of the means used for the relief of those poor persons who were not beggars。 Of the large sums of money distributed to the poor in alms。 Of the mea
