In 1820, the society borrowed 100,000 flor. more, or 8333_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._, which, with donations to the amount of 78,000 flor. or 6500_l._, enabled it during that year to settle 150 more families.
In 1821, the society by means of loans and subscriptions had collected a sum of 421,000 flor. or 35,083_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._, of which 300,000 flor., or 25,000_l._ was borrowed, and 121,000 flor., or 10,983_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._ subscribed, and was possessed of seven free colonies, consisting of 500 small farms, with the public buildings to which we have alluded.
In 1822 the society founded the first colony for the repression of mendicity; and engaged with the Government to receive and settle on its colonies 4000 orphans, 2500 indigent persons, and 1500 mendicants, the Government engaging to pay for each orphan 45 florins, or 3_l._ 15_s._ a year, for 16 years, but nothing for the others. As yet the society has fulfilled only a part of its engagements. It has, however, established every kind of colony which we have enumerated.
In August, 1829, we visited all the colonies of the society. Those of Frederiks-Oord are spread over a space of two leagues. The small farms, containing each about 9 English acres, extend along the sides of roads, bordered with trees, and of canals, which intersect the colonies in different directions. Each house is composed of one great room, round the walls of which are placed the large drawer-like beds, in which, according to the custom of the Dutch peasantry, the family sleep. A cow-house, a barn, and every building necessary for an agricultural family, is annexed to the farm. Near the house is the garden; beyond it the land to be cultivated.
Upon his admission into the colony, each colonist makes a declaration, by which he binds himself to obey its rules, as respects subordination to its officers, moral and religious conduct on the part of himself and his family, modes of working, wearing the colonial uniform, &c.
When a family of 8 persons (the number usually adopted by the society) has been settled in a farm, the society opens an account with them, in which they are debited in the sum of 1700 florins, or 141_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._, which is considered as having been advanced for their use under the following heads:--