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Early proposal for public welfare and establishing workhouses First edition, the only known publication by the philanthropist Thomas Firmin (1632–1697), proposing a system of workhouses organized by the City of London (and consequently an early proposal for a form of public welfare), and giving an account of his own workhouse. Firmin was deeply religious, and took a keen interest in the plight of the poor. He “became firmly convinced that providing work for the poor was a better way to deal with their plight than providing doles which left them dependent, despondent, and prone to begging. His consistent exertions on behalf of the poor were to earn him the epithet of ‘almoner-general’ among his contemporaries” ( ODNB ). In 1676 he founded a workhouse to employ the poor in linen manufacture, apparently the first workhouse in the City of London, eventually employing as many as 1,700 spinners. Innovatively, Firmin allowed employees to collect hemp flax and spin from home when they were sick or caring for the sick. The work was still gruelling – by his own account his workers were labouring 15 or 16 hours a day. Firmin’s scheme never turned a profit, however, and he lost £200 a year on the venture. The present book includes an account of his workhouse and was in part a refutation of those who challenged the practicalities of his project. Though Firmin’s plans for a London-wide Corporation of the Poor eventually failed, he was still respected by his contemporaries, and the Board of Trade
59 FILMER, Sir Robert. A Discourse Whether it may be Lawful to take Use for Money. London: Will Crook, 1678 Defending usury Second edition, the first under this title, originally published in 1653 under the title of Quaestio quodlibetica . Filmer here defends the paying of interest on money borrowed as compatible with biblical instruction, writing in response to Roger Fenton’s Treatise of Usury (1611). Sir Roger Twysden, the man responsible for its first publication, states in the preface that the work was written “almost thirty yeares since”, suggesting a date for its composition in the later 1620s. Duodecimo (154 × 86 mm). Contemporary sprinkled sheep, sympathetically rebacked, covers single ruled in blind, sprinkled edges. Bookplate of LA Law Library to inside of front board. Complete with 4 terminal advertisement leaves. Inner hinges strengthened, covers a little scuffed, no pastedowns likely as originally bound; a very good copy. ¶ ESTC R23742; Kress 1463; Wing F911. £2,750 [93458] 60 FIRMIN, Thomas. Some Proposals for the imploying of the Poor, Especially in and about the City of London. London: Printed for Brabazon Aylmer, 1678
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