Lectures on the Industrial Revolution in England; Popular Addresses, Notes and Other Fragments - Tapa blanda

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... greatest sufferer from increased prices. As regards the growth of pauperism in towns, the main cause may be found in the confiscation of the estates of the guilds by the Protector Somerset.1 These guilds had been practically friendly societies, and depended for their funds upon their landed properties. And how did statesmen then deal with these phenomena? The legislation of the age about-" vagabonds" is written in blood. The only remedy suggested was to punish the vagrant by cruel tortures--by whipping and branding. Even death was resorted to after a second or third offence; and though these penalties proved very ineffectual, the system was not abandoned till the law of 43 Elizabeth recognised that punishment had failed as a remedy. The other class of paupers, the impotent poor, had been directed by a Statute of Eichard II. to beg within a certain limited area; in the reigns of Edward vi. and Elizabeth the necessity of compulsory provision for this class of poor slowly dawned upon men's minds. At first the churchwardens were ordered to summon meetings for the purpose of collecting alms, and overseers were appointed who "shall gently ask and demand" of every man and woman what they of their charity will give weekly towards the relief of the poor. Mayors, head-officers, and church-wardens were to collect money in boxes "every Sunday and holyday." The parsons, vicar and curate, were to reason with those who would not give, and if they were not successful, the obstinate person was to be sent to the bishop, who was to "induce and persuade him;" or by the provisions of a later law, he was to be assessed at Quarter Sessions (1562). Such was the first recognition of the principle of compulsory support, of the fact that there are men in the...