THE HUMANITARIANS AND ROBERT OWEN 749 
sther lands, into which we entered with the view of benefiting 40. Jie 
them, are an interesting evidence of a wider range of 
humanitarianism than had been observable before. English 
philanthropy showed itself in many directions; it was a 9nd other 
sentiment which was aroused by human misery and degrada- home and 
tion, either at home or abroad; thus it gave rise, on the one abroad, 
hand, to protective measures on behalf of certain classes of 
the community, and on the other, to cosmopolitan intervention 
in favour of down-trodden races. This sentiment was closely 
sonnected with the evangelical revival' and with religious 
activity at home and abroad. 
The importance of this humanitarian and philanthropic 24 ne 
movement became more obvious in 1796, in a time of serious to better the 
privation, when the Society for Bettering the Condition of the Tere weer, 
Poor was founded by Dr Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham, 
and Sir Thomas Bernard’. Their energy came to be more 
and more concentrated in promoting the spread of education®, 
and in this matter the economic experts and philanthropists 
sould make common cause. There was a free field to work 
in, for the educational facilities, which had been compatible 
with the ages of civic economy and domestic manufacture, 
The association of religion and philanthropy was very close among the 
prominent men of the so-called * Clapham Sect.’ Hatton, in Social England, v1. 20. 
The precursors of the evangelical movement had taken a different line, as they 
retained the Puritan attitude both in regard to slavery and the reckless treatment 
of natives. Whitefield complains when writing in Georgia (1738), * The people 
were denied the use both of rum and slaves * * * So that in reality to place people 
there on such a footing was little better than to tie their legs and bid them walk.” 
Tyerman, Whitefield, 1. 141. 3 Holyoake, Self-kelp, a hundred years ago, p. 19. 
3 The Reports of the Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor show an 
increasing interest in this matter, especially as the Malthusian doctrine took 
Armer hold, and the advantages of parochial charities or cheap foods came to be 
yuestioned. (See a paper read at the Owestry Society, Remarks on the Present 
State of the Poor, 1826; Brit. Mus. 8277. c. 1. (2) p. 16.) The formation of the 
British School Bociety (1808) and the National Society (1811) is additional 
evidence of the importance attached to it. The immediate effects promised well. 
“Last August (1807), being at Rodburgh, in Gloucestershire, I (Dr Haygarth) 
inquired what effect had been produced upon the inhabitants by the introduction 
of machinery into the woollen manufactures of that valley, fearing to receive 
a very unfavourable report. But I was informed that the poor manufacturers 
had lately become much more orderly, sober, and industrious; and as a proof of 
the truth of this remark the landlord of the Inn assured me that he now sold £300 
worth less of ale and spirits in a year than he had done fourteen years ago. This 
change in the behaviour and morals of the people he wholly ascribed to the effect 
of their education by dissenters.” Of the Education of the Poor (1809), p. 89 
‘Brit, Mus. 288. g. 17).