THE ANALYSIS OF HUMAN NATURE; OR AN INVESTIGATION OF THE MEANS TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF THE POOR, AND TO PROMOTE THE HAPPINESS OF MANKIND IN GENERAL; COMPRISING, ALSO, THE PROGRESS AND PRESENT STATE OF POLITICAL, MORAL, AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETY. BY S. PHELPS, AUTHOR OF " A TREATISE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTENDING IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. London: INTED FOR W. SIMPKIN AND R. MARSHALL, STATIONERS' COURT, LUDGATE STREET. 1818. 7516 PRELUDE. THE finest feelings of our nature can be of little benefit to mankind, unless they are productive of corresponding actions. One act of benevolence is more to be esteemed than a thousand expressions of the most refined compassion. It is useless to pity the unfortunate, unless we endeavour to help them. True political economy, as well as true philanthropy, consists in promoting industry, morality, religion, virtue, and justice, and in rendering the condition of the poor and industrious classes comfortable and happy. As we have abolished slavery, we should next endeavour to eradicate poverty and misery, or we have only the name of liberty, without its benefits, and the shadow of a thing without its substance. As we have done with war, we should encourage the arts and institutions of universal peace and happiness. As the world is still in a state of ignorance and wretchedness, men cannot better serve their Creator, or produce more benefit to their fellow-creatures, than by endeavouring to remove those evils to which they are exposed. And as no period in history ever appeared more favourable than the present, to improve and elevate the human character, it should be the first study of mankind to promote the means by which those objects may be accomplished. 984919 |