fully of any other member of this society, without a just cause, he shall forfeit two shillings, or be excluded. V. That if any member in the society's room presume to curse or swear, or tell a lie, to the prejudice of this so ciety, he shall forfeit six pence, or be excluded. VI. That any person recommended to join this society, shall be desired, by the president and stewards, to withdraw till the matter be concluded upon by the society. VII. That during the stated hours, any brother mindful to move any thing in behalf of himself or another, shall stand up to ask leave of the president and stewards to bẹ heard; and when leave is granted, such brother shall be heard without interruption, until he hath ended his discourse; and any brother may second such motion, or with leave reply to it; and only one shall speak at a time, or forfeit two pence to the box; and if any doubt shall arise, the president and stewards shall lay the same before a committee, who shall determine the matter; and whoever finds fault with the said determination, shall forfeit one shilling, or be excluded, VIII. That if any member shall declare who is for or against any person, on any trial or reference, he shall forfeit five shillings to the box, or be excluded. IX. And lastly, that this society and agreement shall subsist, and be binding and conclusive to all parties comprehended therein, according to the true intent and means ing of them, whilst any three of the said society are of one mind to continue the same, for all the ends and purposes aforesaid; and according to their several stations shall receive, pay, and be paid, sue and be sued accordingly, so far as is consistent with, and agreeable to the rules of this society, and the laws of the realm. CUM CUMBERLAND, At the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace (to wit) of our Sovereign Lord the King, holden at Cockermouth, in and for the county of Cumberland, on Monday the fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord 1799, before James Clark Salterthwaite, John Kay, Esquires, and others their fellows, Justices of our said Lord the King, assigned to keep the of our said Lord the King, in the same county, and also to hear and determine divers felonies, trespasses, and other misdemeanours in the same county committed : peace Ordered-That these Rules and Regulations be confirmed. By the Court, J. HODSON, Deputy Clerk of the Peace. Art. TABLE OF FORFEITS. 1. For attempting to remove the society 2. For refusing to stand president, when elected do. 11. Country members within 20 miles, for the first 12. Do. quarter's neglect do. for the second quarter's neglect 13. For the stewards' neglecting to visit the sick 14. For the stewards' neglecting to visit the superannu ated members 2 6 0 2 6 0 0 2 0 6 0 1 O 15. For not attending the funeral of a deceased brother o 2 0 16. For neglect of quarterly payment to the doctor 17. For the doctor's neglect of duty 18. For conniving at any fraudulent practice in any member 19. Any member residing 20 miles distant on neglecting to pay up his yearly dues 20. Do. 21. Do. do. being seen at work, or drunk, &c. when on the box do. departing the room when any particular 6 0 5 23 For rejecting the award given by a committee 25. Officers leaving the room, without leave from the president 26. For not attending the anniversary procession cash SCHOOSE RULES AND ORDERS to be observed by an AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY of the Servants and Labourers employed at the Schoose Farm, Workington. INTRODUCTION. To the Agricultural Servants and Labourers employed at the Scboose Farm. THE first object which engages the time and attention of the bulk of mankind, is to provide for the necessities of the present moment. But a small proportion of those who are in possession of youth and health think of the morrow, or make any provision for the time when old age will come upon upon them; or when sickness, or the accidents to which human nature is exposed, will put a stop to their labours, and in consequence to their usual means of subsistence. Engaged as you are in laborious pursuits which occupy so much of your time, and willing to believe that sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, you never look beyond it, or lay up in store for a time of need, what could be spared from your presente arnings. Is it not, then, the duty of those materially benefited by your meritorious exertions to think for you, and to provide the means of sheltering you from miseries which are hid from your view? Can any means be devised more likely to effect this purpose than the establishment of a Benefit Society? Wherever they have been established, they have not failed of affording the most material assistance to all the members of them; but their beneficial effects have been but partially experienced; the great bulk of the labouring community have either overlooked or undervalued the advan, tages of them. In this neighbourhood, where so much general benefit has been derived, I should hope few arguinents are necessary to prove the advantages that will flow from a new institution of a similar nature. Permit me to ask any one of you who has lived in tolerable comfort, What support would the most liberal parochial relief afford you? Is it nothing to be subject to control?-Does dependence inflict no wound upon a feeling mind?—Such, however, must be the situation of those who live from hand to mouth, and have made no provision against sickness, misfortune, or old age. Wise, just, and humane, are the poor laws of Great Britain, which are exclusively confined to this happy country. These are founded upon the principle, that the earth shall provide nourishment for every human being: but it assumes also, that none shall eat the bread they do not earn, but such as are incapacitated by age or infirmity. |