One of the most singular methods of obtaining charity perhaps ever adopted, occurred in January 1774. The severity of the weather had rendered navigable canals useless; and with others, those of Oxford and Coventry; consequently the persons employed on them were distressed for want of employment. Eighteen of the sufferers obtained a waggon, which a gentleman of Willoughby generously filled with the best coals; and thus furnished, they harnessed themselves to the vehicle, and set off from Bedworth in Warwickshire to draw it to St. James's, there to present the coals to the King. The oddity of their contrivance proved highly beneficial to them on their road; and when they arrived at the Palace, the Board of Green-cloth ordered them twenty guineas, but refused the coals, which were disposed of, and the produce greatly augmented by gifts from numbers of persons who witnessed the exertions of these human drafts-men[78:A].
Several instances have been already given of individuals endeavouring to alleviate the calamities arising from the resentment of inexorable creditors, by the discharge of the debts which excited it. Every possible praise is certainly due to those philanthropists; nor is the Society just mentioned less deserving of the thanks of the community; but their's is an Herculean labour,
and a sum equal to the revenues of a state would be little more than sufficient to accomplish the release of all entitled to commiseration. Impressed with similar sentiments, John Howard, esq. determined to explore the various prisons in England, and indeed throughout Europe, not so much with a view to discharge captives, as to render them the most essential service while such, by exposing their unwarranted sufferings, inflicted in defiance of the dictates of humanity, and even contrary to law. His labours in this pursuit, his disregard of opposition, his manly reprobation of oppression to the oppressor, disdain of personal danger from vindictive revenge and disease, his death, and the honours decreed him by public bodies and public gratitude, are all fresh in the memories of my readers: I shall therefore merely quote his own words in explanation of his intentions, when they were perhaps not fully developed to himself.
"To the Publisher of the London Chronicle.
Cardington, March 6, 1774.
"Mr. Wilkie,
"The account I gave before the House of the state of Gaols being somewhat misrepresented in the papers, I must beg the favour in your next to set it right.
"I am, Sir, &c.
John Howard.
"I informed the House that I had travelled and seen 38 out of the 42 gaols in the Lent