
audiobook
ESSAYS, political, economical and philosophical
SIR,
RUMFORD.
CHAPTER. I. Of the prevalence of mendicity in Bavaria at the time when the measures for putting an end to it were adopted. - CHAPTER. II. Various preparations made for putting an end to mendicity in bavaria. Cantonment of the cavalry in the country towns and villages. Formation of the committee placed at the head of the institution for the poor at Munich. The funds of that institution. - CHAPTER. III. Preparations made for giving employment to the poor. Difficulties attending that undertaking. The measures adopted completely successful. The poor reclaimed to habits of useful industry. Description of the house of industry at Munich. - CHAPTER. IV. An account of the taking up of the beggars at Munich. The inhabitants are called upon for their assistance. General subscription for the relief and support of the poor. All other public and private collections for the poor abolished. - CHAPTER. V. The different kinds of employment given to the beggars upon their being assembled in the house of industry. Their great awkwardness at first. Their docility, and their progress in useful industry. The manner in which they were treated. The manner in which they were fed. The Precautions used to prevent Abuses in the Public Kitchen from which they were fed. - CHAPTER. VI. Apology for the want of method in treating the subject under consideration. Of the various means used for encouraging industry among the poor. Of the internal arrangement and government of the house of industry. Why called the military work-house. Of the manner in which the business is carried on there. Of the various means used for preventing frauds in carrying on the business in the different manufactures. Of the flourishing state of those manufactures. - CHAPTER. VII. A further account of the poor who were brought together in the house of industry:—and of the interesting change which was produced in their manners and dispositions. Various proofs that the means used for making them industrious, comfortable, and happy, were successful. - CHAPTER. VIII. Of the means used for the relief of those poor persons who were not beggars. Of the large sums of money distributed to the poor in alms. Of the means used for rendering those who received alms industrious. Of the general utility of the house of industry to the poor, and the distressed of all denominations. Of public kitchens for feeding the poor, united with establishments for giving them employment; and of the great advantages which would be derived from forming them in every parish. Of the manner in which the poor of Munich are lodged. - CHAPTER. IX. Of the means used for extending the influence of the institution for the poor at Munich, to other parts of Bavaria. Of the progress which some of the improvements introduced at Munich are making in other countries. - INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER. I.
CHAPTER. II.
CHAPTER. III.
CHAPTER. IV.
CHAPTER. V.
CHAPTER. VI.
In this collection the writer surveys early efforts to tame poverty in late‑18th‑century Bavaria, beginning with a detailed look at a Munich establishment designed to replace mendicancy with steady work. He outlines how military organization, community subscriptions and a new “house of industry” were marshaled to give the destitute both shelter and productive tasks, while also describing the practical hurdles of feeding and supervising large numbers of laborers.
Beyond the case study, the essays expand into broader principles for public relief, offering observations on food provision, efficient heating and the design of institutions that could be replicated elsewhere. The author blends concrete statistics with moral reflections, aiming to show that thoughtful, coordinated measures can transform the lives of the poorest and inspire more humane governance.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (630K characters)
Release date
1997-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1753–1814
An American-born inventor, reformer, and scientist who moved through war, politics, and royal courts before becoming one of the best-known practical minds of his age. His work on heat, fireplaces, kitchens, and public welfare helped shape both modern physics and everyday life.
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