Of the Manner of providing for the Poor previous to the Statute 43 Eliz. c. 2.

The author of the MilTor flates indeed, (2) that by the common law, " the poor were to be fufi3illed by parfons, " reaors of the church, and the parifhioncrs, fa th3t none " of them {hall die for default of fuftellanee." But no method is pointed out'by which the performance of this duty could be enforced, or its omiffion puniihed (3). Such abfiinence from regulation on the part of our civil government, is no flight teflimony that the clergy devo.- ted a fufficient portion of their immenfe property to difcharge their trufl (4). If any objeaion can he made to their condua, it is, that their charities were laviLbed with inconfiderate humanity, detrimental to the induftry and police of the country.