24 OCTOBER 1846, Page 11

POOR-LAW REFORM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.

5, Camden Terrace, Bath, 16th October 1846.

SIN—I have read with much pleasure your four instructive articles an "Peon- law Reform," which have recently appeared in the Spectator. They have aug-- gested to me the possibility of the following propositions being considered worthy of your consideration.

That the present Workhouses be kept entirely for the aged, the infirm, the friendless young, and the insane. That wherever there is now a workhouse, there be also erected a building be which industrious but destitute poor belonging to light trades, such as slaas• making, tailoring, shirt-making, &c., may be employed, when they are compelled to apply forparochial relief.

That, besides these buildings, there he Colonies founded on our waste lands at home' and on the Crown lands abroad, where employment could be given to des- titute miners, quarrymen builders, fishermen, weavers, agricultural labourers, &s.That there be also Penal Colonies founded at home and abroad, where "cue- 'firmed paupers" could be sent, and treated in the manner paupers are treated in the Home Colonies of Holland; where is carried into practical effect the maxi* "If any one will not work, neither should he eat." That in order that these arrangements may interfere as little as possible with the interests of the trader and the independent labourer, all hands employed by Government in this way be paid half in cash and half in goods. By this Arrange- ment, the employed would themselves become the great consumers of their pro, duce; whilst the inconvenience and dislike to being paid in goods would act as A check to their choosiug to work for Government in preference to the regular em- ployers of labour. Here, Sir, is a brief outline of a plan which, if made into a law, would, I think, do all that you require,—namely, aid the poor over difficulties, secure the right* of the poor, restrain pauperism, and protect the rights of society against thei.

offence." 1 have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,

MARCUS MIDRIEGTON.