CC, Page 188. Poor, and Poors'
Funds
The funds for the relief of the poor have been
stationary in those districts where the inhabitants hold their lands. In
the Highlands of Perthshire, even in 1816 and 1817, years of unprecedented
pressure on the poor, when great sums were subscribed for their support in
the South, there was no increased demand beyond what private benevolence
supplied. The clergymen, who have the management and distribution of the
funds for the poor, find no clamorous call for charitable aid; on the
contrary, they are obliged to search for proper objects, who conceal their
wants, suffering every privation, rather than humble themselves to ask for
public charity, at the same time that they will gratefully receive private
aid from any benevolent or more opulent neighbour. In a letter from a
respectable clergyman in Athole on this subject, he says, "I have
witnessed many singular instances, and have been astonished and gratified,
to see how long poor creatures will struggle with their fate before they
submit to that painful degradation. How eminently useful is it to step
forward to their aid before the virtuous pride is altogether destroyed,
and they are reduced to that last resource which they so justly and
greatly dread!" [Letter from the Reverend Mr Duff, minister of Mouline.]
Another able and zealous clergyman writes: "I must always search for
objects of charity in my parish. When questioning individuals on their
state, I have seen a blush of shame and confusion spread over their
countenances; and while they endeavoured to conceal their wants, and
pointed out to me others more needful, I knew that they were in great
necessity." [Ditto from the Reverend Dr Irvine, Little Dunkeld.]
In the parish of Mouline, containing a population 1947
souls, there are thirteen poor receiving permanent relief, and eleven
occasional assistance, but no itinerant beggars in the parish. Indeed, the
fund could not afford much, as the amount has not exceeded L. 22, 10s. on
the average of the last five years. To this may be added the interest of
small sums bequeathed by benevolent individuals some years ago. In the
parish of Dull, with a population of 4236 persons, the number of poor is
sixty-one, assisted by a fund of L. 92, 15s. annually. Weem parish has no
itinerant beggars out of a population of 1484 souls. The amount of the
funds is L. 24, 10s., on an average of five years, and the number of poor
on the same average fifteen persons. In the parish of Logierait, the poor
have lessened in late years, when there was a great increase of them in
the Northern Highlands. The number of inhabitants is 3015, with little
variation for several years. In 1812, the paupers were forty-one, and in
1817, the number was thirty-two persons. Dr Smith, in his "General Survey
of the County of Argyle, drawn up for the Board of Agriculture," in
speaking of the poor of Argyleshire, says, "The number supported by
private or public contributions or otherwise is, in general, very
inconsiderable, as they have a modesty and spirit that makes them endure
absolute want before they can bring themselves to the mortification of
receiving any public aid. This innate disposition keeps them from being
any where 3 burden. In the island of Tyrie, in Argyleshire, there are 2446
persons, with fifty paupers. In the island of Coll, the number is 1193,
and thirty-four poor receive aid. The annual distribution to each
individual from the poor's fund is 3s." With such a fund, it is absurd to
speak of the allowance to a pauper as a support.
