_Indigence a cause of the increase of Crimes.--The System with respect to the Casual Poor erroneous.--The miserable condition of many who seek for an Asylum in the Metropolis.--The unhappy State of broken-down Families, who have seen better days.--The effect of Indigence on the Offspring of the Sufferers.--The discovery of the Children of unfortunate Families applying for Soup at the Establishments.--The unparalleled Philanthropy of the opulent Part of the Community.--Estimate of the Private and Public Benevolence amounting to 850,000l. a year.--The noble Munificence of the Merchants.--An Appeal to the exalted virtue of the Opulent, who have come forward in acts of Humanity.--The deplorable State of the Lower Ranks attributed to the present System of the Poor Laws.--An Institution to inquire into the Causes of Mendicity in the Metropolis explained.--The State of the Casual Poor resumed.--The abuses and inefficacy of the relief received.--A new System proposed with respect to them and Vagrants in the Metropolis.--Its advantages explained.--The distinction between Poverty and Indigence explained.--The Poor divided into five Classes, with suggestions applicable to each.--The evil Examples in Workhouses a great cause of the Corruption of Morals.--The Statute of 43 Elizabeth considered.--The defective System of Execution exposed--Confirmed by the opinion of Lord Hale.--A partial Remedy proposed in respect to Vagrant and Casual Poor.--A Public Institution recommended for the care of this class of Poor, under the direction of three Commissioners.--Their Functions explained.--A Proposition for raising a Fund of 5230l. from the Parishes for the support of the Institution, and to relieve them from the Casual Poor.--Reasons why the Experiment should be tried.--The assistance of Sir Frederick Eden, and other Gentlemen of talents, who have turned their thoughts to the Poor, attainable.--The advantages which would result to the Community, from the united Efforts of men of investigation and judgment, previous to any final Legislative Regulation.--Conclusion._ Indigence, in the present state of Society, may be considered as a principal cause of the increase of Crimes. The System which prevails in the Metropolis, with respect to these unfortunate individuals who are denominated the _Casual Poor_, will be found on minute inquiry to be none of the least considerable of the causes, which lead to the corruption of morals, and to the multiplication of minor offences in particular.