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13,000 of which are in that County for which I
feel a peculiar interest; a large tract of which is
within five or six miles of the Metropolis.
Having learnt the opinions of those high autho-
rities which I have quoted, as evidence of the
deprivations which the labouring poor have suf-
fered, let us see what remedy they propose for their
relief; and it is not a matter of surprise that they
should agree in that system, when it is known
that wherever it has been adopted, it has always
succeeded. There is no instance of its failing
when well conducted. It has reduced the poor-
rates, as much as it has benefitted the poor. It is
unnecessary for me to say, that the system to which
I allude, is the providing a certain portion of land
for every poor man, which he may, with a small
temporary assistance from his parish, cultivate in
his spare hours for the benefit of himself and
family.* That excellent Monthly Publication, by
the Labourers' Friend Society, in Threadneedle
Street, gives an ample detail of the complete
success of this system.
* This small temporary assistance may be obtained without
difficulty. It has been clearly proved, that with a proper degree
of industry, the advantage to be obtained by a poor man on the
cultivation of half an acre of land, will be £5. Let his par sh
or any other benevolent individual, pay him for six days work, at
2s. per day. He will work well for himself, and he can give good
security on his crop for the 12s. advanced to him.
D 2