essays-1-第14章
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d from a public kitchen for LESS THAN HALF what it would cost them to feed themselves；they would turn their industry to better account； by working in a public establishment； and under proper direction； than by working at home；a spirit of emulation would be excited among them； and they would pass their time more agreeably and cheerfully。 They would be entirely relieved from the heavy expense of fuel for cooking； and； in a great measure； from that for heating their dwellings； and； being seldom at home in the day…time； would want little more than a place to sleep in； so that the expence of lodging might be greatly diminished。It is evident； that all these saving together would operate very powerfully to lessen the public expence for the maintenance of the Poor； and； were proper measures adopted； and pursued with care and perseverance； I am persuaded the expence would at last be reduced to little or nothing。
With regard to the lodgings for the Poor； I am clearly of opinion that it is in general best； particularly in great towns； that these should be left for themselves to provide。 This they certainly would like better than being crowded together； and confined like prisoners in poor…houses and hospitals； and I really think the difference in the expence would be inconsiderable； and though they might be less comfortably accommodated； yet the inconvenience would be amply compensated BY THE CHARMS WHICH LIBERTY DISPENSES。
In Munich； almost all the Poor provide their own lodgings； and twice a year have certain allowances in money； to assist them in paying their rent。Many among them who are single； have indeed； no lodgings they can call their own。 They go to certain public…houses to sleep； where they are furnished with what is called a bed； in a garret； for one creutzer； （equal to about one…third of a penny；） a…night； and for two creutzers a…night they get a place in a tolerably good bed in a decent room in a public…house of more repute。
There are； however； among the Poor； many who are infirm； and not able to shift for themselves in the public…houses； and have not families； or near relations； to take care of them。 For these； a particular arrangement has lately been made at Munich。 Such of them as have friends or acquaintances in town with whom they can lodge； are permitted to do so； but if they cannot find out lodgings themselves； they have the option； either to be placed in some private family to be taken care of； or go to a home which has lately been purchased and fitted up as an hospital for lodging them＇14＇。
This house is situated in a fine airy situation； on a small eminence upon the banks of the Isar； and overlooks the whole of the town；the plain in which it is situated；and the river。 It is neatly built； and has a spacious garden belonging to it。 There are seventeen good rooms in the house； in which it is supposed about eighty persons may be lodged。 These will all be fed from one kitchen； and such of them who are very infirm； will have others less infirm placed in the same room with them； to assist them； and wait upon them。The cultivation of the garden will be their amusement； and the produce of it their property。 They will be furnished with work suitable to their strength； and for all the labour they perform； will be paid in money； which will be left at their own disposal。They will be furnished with food； medicine； and clothing； gratis； and to those who are not able to earn any thing by labour； a small sum of money will be given weekly； to enable them to purchase tobacco； snuff； or any other article of humble luxury to which they may have been accustomed。
I could have wished that this asylum had been nearer to the house of industry。 It is indeed not very far from it； perhaps not more than 400 yards； but still that is too far。Had it been under the same roof； or adjoining to it； those who are lodged in it might have been fed from the public kitchen of the general establishment； and have been under the immediate inspection of the principal officers of the house of industry。 It would likewise have rendered the establishment very interesting to those who visit it； which is an object of more real importance than can well be imagined by those who have not had occasion to know how much the approbation and applause of the public facilitate difficult enterprizes。
The means of uniting the rational amusement of society； with the furtherance of schemes calculated for the promotion of public good； is a subject highly deserving the attention of all who are engaged in public affairs。
CHAPTER。 IX。
Of the means used for extending the influence of the institution for the poor at Munich； to other parts of Bavaria。 Of the progress which some of the improvements introduced at Munich are making in other countries。
Though the institution of which I have undertaken to give an account； was confined to the city of Munich and its suburbs； yet measures were taken to extend its influence to all parts of the country。 The attempt to put an end to mendicity in the capital； and to give employment to the Poor； having been completely successful； this event was formally announced to the public； in the news…papers； and other towns were called upon to follow the example。 Not only a narrative in detail； was given of all the different measures pursued in this important undertaking； but every kind of information and assistance was afforded on the part of the institution at Munich； to all who might be disposed to engage in forming similar establishments in other parts of the country。
Copies of all the different lists； returns； certificates； etc。 used in the management of the Poor； were given gratis to all； strangers as well as inhabitants of the country； who applied for them； and no information relative to the establishment； or to any of its details； was ever refused。 The house of industry was open every day from morning till night to all visitors； and persons were appointed to accompany strangers in their tour through the different apartments； and to give the fullest information relative to the details； and even to all the secrets of the various manufactures carried on； and printed copies of the different tables； tickets； checks； etc。 made use of in carrying on the current business of the house； were furnished to every one who asked for them； together with an account of the manner in which these were used； and of the other measures adopted to prevent frauds and peculation in the various branches of this extensive establishment。
As few manufactures in Bavaria are carried on to any extent； the more indigent of the inhabitants are； in general； so totally unacquainted with every kind of work in which the Poor could be most usefully employed； that that circumstance alone is a great obstacle to the general introduction throughout the country of the measures adopted in Munich for employing the Poor。 To remove this difficulty； the different towns and communities who are desirous of forming establishments for giving employment to the Poor； are invited to send persons properly qualified to the house of industry at Munich； where they may be taught； gratis； spinning； in its various branches； knitting； sewing； etc。 in order to qualify them to become instructors to the Poor on their return home。 And even instructors already formed； and possessing all the requisite qualifications for such an office； are offered to be furnished by the house of industry in Munich to such communities as shall apply for them。
Another difficulty； apparently not less weighty than that just mentioned； but which is more easily and more effectually removed； is the embarrassment many of the smaller communities are likely to be under in procuring raw materials； and in selling to advantage the goods manufactured； or； （as is commonly the case；） IN PART ONLY MANUFACTURED； by the Poor。 The yarn； for instance； which is spun by them in a country…town or village； far removed from any manufacture of cloth； may lie on hand a long time before it can be sold to advantage。 To remedy this； the house of industry at Munich is ordered to furnish raw materials to such communities as shall apply for them； and receive in return the goods manufactured； at the full prices paid for the same articles in Munich。 Not only these measures； and many others of a similar nature； are taken； to facilitate the introduction of industry among the Poor throughout the country； but every encouragement is held out to induce individuals to exert themselves in this laudable undertaking。 Those communities which are the first to follow the example of the capital； are honourably mentioned in the news…papers； and such individuals as distinguished themselves by their zeal and activity upon those occasions； are praised and rewarded。
A worthy curate； （Mr。 Lechner；） preacher in one of the churches in Munich； who； of his own accord； had taken upon himself to defend the measures adopted with regard to the Poor； and to recommend them in the most earnest manner from the pulpit； was sent for by the Elector； into his closet； and thanked for his exertions。
This transaction being immediately made known； （an account of it having been published in the news…papers；） tended not a little to engage the clergy in all parts of the country to exert themselves in support of the institution。
It is not my intention to insinuate that the clergy in Bavaria stood in need of any such motive to stimulate them to action in a cause so important to the happiness and well…being of mankind； and consequently so nearly connected with the sacred duties of their office；on the contrary； I should be wanting in candour； as well as gratitude； were I not to embrace this opportunity of expressing publicity； the obligations I feel myself under to them for their support and assistance。
The number of excellent sermons which have been preached； in order to recommend the measures adopted by the government for making provision for the Poor； show how much this useful and respectable body of men have had it at heart to contribute to the success of this important measure； and their readiness to co…operate with me； （a Protestant；） upon all occasions where their assistance has been asked； not only does honour to the liberality of their sentiments； but calls for my personal acknowledgments； and particular thanks。
I shall conclude this Essay with an account of the progress which some of the improvements introduced at Munich are now making in other countries。 During my late journey in Italy for the recovery of my health； I visited Verona； and becoming acquainted with the principal directors of two large and noble hospitals； la Pieta； and la Misericorde； in that city； the former containing about 350； and the latter near 500 Poor； I had frequent occasions to converse with them upon the subject of those establishments； and to give them an account of the arrangements that had been made in Munich。 I likewise took the liberty of proposing some improvements； and particularly in regard to the arrangements for feeding these Poor； and in the management of the fires employed for cooking。 Fire…wood； the only fuel used in that country； is extremely scarce and dear； and made a very heavy article in the expences of those institutions。
Though this scarcity of fuel； which ha
