Previously, however, we ought not to omit, for several reasons, to give the outline of the scheme proposed by Bentham even before Mr. Whitbread's proposals. The reader will perceive how thoroughly conversant the philosopher was with the every-day habits of the poor, and how completely he understood their wants and requirements, and sought to provide for them. It is only necessary to add that Bentham advocated this plan as one of many measures of pauper management; that the scheme was to be generally applied throughout the country, and to be taken up and worked by means of a company; the place where the banks should be held to be called "'Industry Houses,' in contradistinction to the 'Public Houses' of friendly Societies." "Should this not be enough," says Bentham, "the vestry room of each place of worship presents an office as near, and the clerk an officer or sub-agent as suitable, as can be desired."[153] After fully going into the hindrances to the spread of saving habits among the poor around him, and the difficulties incident to the laying up and improvement of their surplus moneys,--hindrances and difficulties which had not yet all been surmounted,--he gives the following comprehensive and exhaustive list, which shows how thoroughly he would have mastered the obstacles of a more recent period:-- "Properties to be wished for in a system of Frugality Banks, commensurate to the whole population of the self-maintaining poor: viz. "1. _Fund_, solid and secure:--proof against the several causes of failure. "2. _Plan of Provision_, all _comprehensive_: comprehensive, as far as may be, of all sorts of exigencies, and at all time, as well as of all persons, in the character of customers: thence the amount of the deposits transferable from exigency to exigency, at the will of the customer, at any time. "3. _Scale of Dealing_, commensurate to the peculiar faculties of each customer: _i.e._ on each occasion as large as or as small as his convenience can require. "4. _Terms of Dealing_ sufficiently advantageous to the customer: (the more so, of course the better), regard being had, in the necessary degree to solidity. "5. _Places_ of transacting business _suitable_: adapted in point of _vicinity_, as well as in other respect, to the conveniency of the customer. "6. _Mode_ of transacting business _accommodating_: suited to the circumstances of the customer in respect of times of receipt and payment, and _quantam_ of receipt and payment at each time. "7. _Mode of operation, prompt_, consuming as little of the customer's time in attendance as may be. "8. Mode of book-keeping, clear and satisfactory."