Description

[004097] Gilbert, Thomas. Plan for the Better Relief and Employment of the Poor; For Enforcing and Amending the Laws Respecting Houses of Correction, and Vagrants; and for Improving the Police of This Country. London: G. Wilkie, 1781. First Edition. 8vo. Hardback. Good. [4], 139pp, [1]. Later half calf and marbled paper over boards, later rebacked with title in gilt along spine

Rubbed to extremities, spine slightly faded. Text occasionally lightly browned, but generally clean. Several pages unopened. With armorial book plate of Ferguson of Raith to front pastedown, with a binder’s ticket, J. Taylor Seton of Edinburgh, to head of pastedown

Thomas Gilbert (bap. 1720, d. 1798), “land agent and poor law reformer … Gilbert began his campaign as a poor law reformer with a bill for the ‘better relief and employment of the poor’ in 1765. The bill promised to assist the poor, reduce the cost of poor relief, and improve society … In May 1781 he introduced another bill for ‘the better relief and employment of the poor’, and in June he presented a bill for amending the laws relating to houses of correction. These bills made little progress, in spite of an assiduous pamphlet campaign, which included three pamphlets written by Gilbert himself … Gilbert’s next proposal became his signal effort, that which became known as Gilbert’s Act of 1782. By this point he had divided his subject into three areas: relief and employment of the poor; houses of correction; and rogues and vagabonds” (ODNB)

This is Goldsmiths 12214, the issue without the 38pp supplement (which is Goldsmiths 12215); Kress B.365; ESTC T42406