[703] Second Discourse concerning the affairs of Scotland quoted and compared with Hext's letter in Dunlop's Law of Scotland relating to the Poor, p. 1.
[704] See 3rd Report of Select Committee on the Poor Laws.
[705] In 1638 the Glasgow Town Council reports in favour of relieving the poor in their homes, and orders the inhabitants to be "stented" for their relief. In Jan. 1639 the rate was imposed and amounted to £600, or one-fifth of the ordinary taxation. In April the poor were to be "keipit in thair houssis for ane quarter to cum," and in October the arrangement was said to be successful, and was continued for a year. But in 1647 the town authorities say they are loath to take the course allowed by law, and ask the kirk session to "fallow furthe the way on ane voluntar monethlie contributione"; any deficiency in the sum necessary for the poor was however still to be contributed by the town. In 1649 means were formed of stimulating the voluntary contributors "Anent the inbringing of the poores mentinance it is inacted that the refuissars be quarterit vpon with sojouries." Still the funds raised were insufficient, and in 1653 a tax was again imposed only to be again discontinued a few years later. Extracts from the Records of Glasgow, R. Marwick, Vol. I., pp. 395, 396, 400, 406, and Vol. II., pp. 180, 182, 254, 369.
[706] Alexandre Monnier, Histoire de l'assistance dans les temps anciens et modernes, p. 307.
"Par chacune paroisse, seront establis boëtes et troncs qui par chacun jour de dimanche, seront recommandés par les curez et vicaires en leur prosnes et par les prédicateurs en leur sermons."
[707] Monnier, p. 308. Brittany was not thoroughly incorporated with the rest of France.
[708] Ib., p. 313 seq.
[709] Ib., pp. 314 and 317.
[710] C. Chamborant, Du Paupérisme, p. 92.
[711] Ib., p. 95.