The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, March 1844

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Various. The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, March 1844

WHAT IS TRANSCENDENTALISM?

LINES SENT WITH A BOUQUET

THE ALMS HOUSE

APOSTROPHE TO HEALTH

ISABEL

ONE READING FROM TWO POETS

WHERE IS THE SPIRIT-WORLD?

THE TYRANNY OF AFFECTION

THE FRATRICIDE’S DEATH

A RHAPSODY

SICILIAN SCENERY AND ANTIQUITIES

NUMBER TWO

STANZAS

WRITTEN AT BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS. BY REV. WILLIAM B. TAPPAN

THE QUOD CORRESPONDENCE

Harry Harson

CHAPTER XXII

CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD

NIGHT AND MORNING

THE LEGEND OF DON RODERICK.6

ANACREONTIC

LITERARY NOTICES

EDITOR’S TABLE

THE EASIEST WAY OF DISCHARGING A SONNET

SONNET I.—NAPOLEON

SONNET II.—THE HOTEL DE VILLE

SONNET III.—ETERNITY OF NATURE

SONNET IV.—BLISS IN GRIEF

SONNET V

TINGQUA’S TEARS

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It is not my purpose in the following narrative to point out all the evils arising from the modern practice of relieving the wants of the poor and destitute which prevails in this country and in England, where the arm of the law compels that pittance which should be the voluntary donation of benevolence; one consequence of which system is, that the poor claim support as a debt due from society at large, and feel no gratitude toward any of the individuals paying the tax. The payer of the tax, on the other hand, feeling that he can claim no merit for surrendering that which is wrung from him by force, and expecting no thanks for the act, and knowing that in many cases it operates as a bounty on idleness, hates the ungrateful burthen thus imposed upon him, and strives to reduce it to the least possible amount. In this way the ties which should bind together the poor and the rich are sundered. The benevolence of the patron and the gratitude of the dependent, which formerly existed, is changed to dislike and suspicion on the one part, and envy and ingratitude on the other.

Doubtless one design of Providence in suffering want and misery to exist in the world, is that the benevolent virtues should be kept in exercise. He who was benevolence itself, seemed thus to think, when he said: ‘The poor ye have always with you.’ But man in his selfishness virtually says: ‘The poor we will not have with us; we will put them out of our sight.’ For in many towns in New-England, and probably in other States, it is customary to contract with some individual for their support; or, in other words, to sell them by auction, to him who will support them by the year, for the least sum per head. To illustrate some of the results of this system, the following incidents are related from memory, having been witnessed by me in my native place (an interior town in New-England) at an age when the feelings are most susceptible. And so deep was the impression then made on my mind, that I am enabled to vouch for the accuracy of the details.

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‘I am quite satisfied with my experiment,’ replied Dr. Kent; ‘but I will confess (you know I am a candid man) that the result makes me feel a little serious.’ Dr. Kent knew, as we all have an opportunity of knowing, that a danger, however startling, for which we are at once provided with a remedy, is soon scorned; that it must stare us very decidedly in the face, before we are willing to appreciate the said remedy. ‘Yes,’ continued he. ‘I had no idea of the deep root the disease had taken.’

‘Good heavens! my friend,’ exclaimed Mr. Lee, grasping Dr. Kent’s hand in the utmost agitation; ‘and the remedy you thought of—is the case too serious for it to be available?’

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