A Modest Proposal to Address Poverty in Ireland

It is a melancholy sight for those who walk through the towns or travel the countryside to see beggars, especially mothers with several ragged children, begging for alms. These mothers cannot work to support themselves and must devote their time to begging for their helpless infants. As these children grow, they may turn to theft, join foreign conflicts, or sell themselves into servitude. The overwhelming number of children in such dire circumstances is a significant grievance in our kingdom. A fair and easy method to make these children useful members of society would be a great service to the public. My proposal extends to all infants of parents unable to support them, not just those of beggars.