ALMS-GIVING. I once received a letter from a friend on a subject of sufficient importance to give it a place in these pages: the reader can form an opinion the better when we give the story as it was communicated. MADAM, HAVING frequently been much indebted to you for the light thrown on the obscurity of my views in many respects, I feel assured you will pardon the liberty I take in requesting, that, when you may find it entirely convenient, you will give me your views, as to the feelings and conduct proper to be observed towards that wretched and troublesome race-the Beggars. In giving you a hasty sketch of my own difficulties respecting them, I merely intend to ask for your advice; and having of late given up the fatiguing desire of every one's opinion, and every one's example, shall abide by your decision, and be much comforted by a well-proved rule, whether to follow the new plan of relieving the beggars, by giving them nothing, or of strictly acting up to the text, "Turn not away thy face from any poor man." For many years I lived in the country; and here, after much capricious conduct towards the race, relieving or turning off every fresh comer according to the fancied truth or imposture of his predecessor, or to the varying advice of every friend consulted, I at length came to a determination, that for myself it was safer to be weak and mistaken, than to hug myself in selfishness, and call it "prudence;" and therefore gave orders that no poor creature should be turned away from a house where every comfort was enjoyed by its inmates; but receive enough in wholesome food to prevent their suffering, during that day, the misery of want, and rebellious cursing of the heart towards those whose lot was made so much to differ from their own. Well, I entertained perhaps about the average proportion of one honest man to ten knaves; when, leaning, one evening, in a musing fit, over the entrance-gate of my little domain, my eye was caught by some large chalk characters on the outside of the gate; and quitting my station, I read, with some difficulty, "God bless the family in that house; for I was hungry, and they gave me to eat; thirsty, and they gave me to drink.” My heart swelled as I finished this tribute of gratitude, and "never will I forfeit my claim to the prayer of the poor and destitute," was my fervent ejaculation, as I stood gazing on the illformed characters, and then watched every object that appeared on the road till night closed in; hoping, for the first time in my life, to discover a beggar. The orderly habits of my gardener soon led to the disappearance of these written thanks on the gate; but they were stamped on my heart, and after this occurrence, as you may suppose, my zeal increased. I turned into a sort of caravansera an out-house near the road, conveniently situated for resting the weary traveller on his way, as well as for facilitating the disappearance of poultry, wood, garden tools, half-dried linen, and all those miscellaneous valuables generally dispersed about the garden and outhouses of a country residence. I read no more effusions, and I would rather not (unless much pressed) tell how much I lost in the course of the year; how the race of beggars multiplied; how the poor labourers around me either joined the motley crew, or loudly murmured against me; and how every rich neighbour eased himself of importunity by directing the suppliant to my house. But I will confess to have been greatly relieved when I found myself freed from the difficult task of a reform, by the obligation, from family reasons, of breaking up my country establishment, and coming to reside in London; where no one knows another's doing where there are no neighboursno tenants-no obligations-where the beggars dare not knock at your door, ring at your bell, or peep in at your windows-and I arrived at my new house in street, breathing freely and securely-compromising willingly with smoke, cries, and organs, to live clear of the beggars, &c. My comfort was put beyond all possibility of molestation by a visit I paid, the very day after my arrival, to a friend, well known in the benevolent and religious world; where, having begun to impart my abovementioned feelings, he vehemently interrupted me with, "I trust you never give to beggars! it is only doing them harm-undoing all that we have been labouring to achieve. My dear sir, we have a new plan now which answers entirely. You have, of course, heard of my pamphlet--unanswerable!— here is fortunately a copy left-here are some mendicity reports--Mr. -'s reply to my pamphlet -my rejoinder-and a few tickets, which you may find useful." 66 My friend was summoned to a committee, and with my hands completely full, and my head completely puzzled, I left his door-my diseased vision (which now sees beggars in every thing) beheld me instantly surrounded by my foes; and fortunately remembering my way, I fairly ran home, being stopped only twice: once by a sweeper, whose services were irresistible; once by a lady, who restored me a pamphlet. I gave them each a ticket "for soup and labour;" and when arrived at home, shut myself up for a week, until I had, by dint of "Reports," "Hints and Cautions," mastered the subject, and could walk forth in the streets with all the courage with which one visits Exeter 'Change; for I had barricadoed out the beggars with answers for every species of demand; and it is well I had done sosince never was man so followed by unconquerable women; men in bowls, on skewers, pleading dogs, and deformed children. Respectable people turned beggars when I approached, and boys offered me "matches," in the dog-days; but I was crammed with knowledge--strong in my arguments, and reechoed firmly the cry of, "I never give to beggars." It was one bitter evening in December, that, followed by a half-naked wretch from street to street, and feeling my resolution failing me, I turned abruptly round, and repeating, "I never give in the streets." "Then where do you give, sir," cried the famishing creature eagerly,66 I do not care how far I go?" 66 I had just reached my own door, and in I hurried -very far from conviction of having done right, with the countenance and figure of the rejected suppliant haunting my mental vision, while her question rang in my ears. "Where then do you give?" might be asked of many who might find it difficult to reply in strict truth: and for those who, with myself, could urge, "We subscribe to the va rious societies for relieving the wants of the poor: we give to any case of well-authenticated distress; we must keep our limited means for those who de serve assistance;" might not this be pleaded, that cases will arise when no rule, no plan, should be suffered to stifle the natural feeling? and it does appear to me the obvious duty of "doing good to all men." There might have been "societies" and "associations" at the time when the poor Jew fell among thieves; and as the wounded man lay helpless by the roadside, the priest might have reflected, as he passed by, that his name stood recorded as a benefactor to mankind, therefore he was suchthat his exertions were exemplary, his charities regulated and unalterable; and the Levite might have required proofs of the man's character; might have doubted, as "he looked on him," the reality of his distress: above all, having made it a rule never to assist any one on the high-road, his conscience enables him also to " pass on the other side." It will be a happy world where no prudence is required; where no counterfeits of that really valuable quality can be admitted; but, in the meantime, as the true gem must be ascertained and preserved in this nether world, and feeling that it has baffled my research, like a true philosopher's stone, I resign to you, Madam, the labour of further investigation; and remain, with every sentiment of respect, Your obedient servant, Occupy till I come, is the commission by which every one holds whatever of earthly possession is in his hands. He may have burnt the writings, and forgotten the terms on which he received the property; but that will not alter the case: they will be reproduced hereafter, and judgment entered according to the terms of this commission. It is hence impossible to form a right judgment of the use to be |
