5. Charity Schools for Educating the Poor 10,000
6. To which add the annual Assessments for the Poor Rates, paid by the Inhabitants of the Metropolis and its Environs 255,000
Total estimated amount of the annual Sums paid for the support and benefit of the Poor in the --------- Metropolis, &c. £.700,000
7. Besides the endowed Establishments, for which the Poor are chiefly indebted to our Ancestors 150,000 --------- Total £.850,000
In addition to this, it is highly proper to mention the noble benevolence, which has been displayed by the Opulent of all ranks, but particularly the Merchants, in the very large sums which have been, at various times, subscribed for the relief of the brave men, who have been maimed and wounded, and for the support of the widows, orphans, and relations of those who have meritoriously lost their lives in fighting the battles of their country.
Such exalted examples of unbounded munificence the history of no other nation records.
It is to this source of elevated virtue, and nobleness of mind, that an appeal is made, on the present occasion, in behalf of those unhappy fellow-mortals; who, in spite of the unexampled liberality which has been displayed, still require the fostering hand of Philanthropy.
The cause of these distresses has been explained; and also the evils which such a condition in human life entails upon Society. It is not pecuniary aid that will heal this _gangrene_: this _Corruption of Morals_. There must be the application of a correct System of Police, calculated to reach the root and origin of the evil.--Without _System_, _Intelligence_, _Talents_, and _Industry_, united in all that relates to the affairs of the Poor, millions may be wasted as millions have already been wasted, without bettering their condition. In all the branches of the Science of Political Oeconomy, there is none which requires so much skill and knowledge of men and manners, as that which relates to this particular object: and yet, important as it is to the best interests of the Community, the management of a concern, in which the very foundation of the national prosperity is involved, is suffered to remain, as in the rude ages, when Society had not assumed the bold features of the present period,--in the hands of changeable, and in many instances, unlettered agents; wholly incompetent to a task at all times nice and difficult in the execution, and often irksome and inconvenient.