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increasing the happiness of individuals and society at large?

It would be contrary to all views I have taken of the subject, to make the contributions compulsory; that would destroy the independency of character I could wish to establish; the loss of which is one great and primary cause of many of the evils of the present system.

In seeking to make it a legislative measure, my object would be to obtain a power of granting aid from the parish rates to the funds of the societies. By making them general, it would put it in the power of any individual who contributed to a society, to remove to any other situation, and to transfer the value of his annuity into the funds of the society where he was settled. The effects of this would be to put an end in a very short period, to all the expense and trouble of litigation respecting settlements.

At some given period, (not to bear upon those at present advanced in life) it would be reasonable and just to treat such as become chargable from neglecting or refusing to contribute towards their support, as "culpable poor." In proportion as the morals and sentiments of the labouring classes were improved and enlightened, so would the fear of disgrace operate as a punishment; and there would be, were the plan of benefit-societies generally established, a fair criterion to distinguish between the meritorious and culpable poor, which does not at present exist, and wichh thereby renders the existing laws on that head nugatory.

Attached

Attached to no particular scheme, and having but one object in view, the investigation of truth, I have endeavoured to convey my sentiments honestly, and with the warmest desire to promote the interest and prosperity of the country, founded on the facts which have occurred within my own experience. Others may have been led to opposite conclusions; and the same credit of good intentions which I am willing to bestow, I desire to claim for myself. The state of the country is unparalleled, and the maxims of political economy which have prevailed in tranquil times, may now be found inadequate for the preservation of an isolated, but proudly independent nation. To a vast extension of our agriculture, and to the availing ourselves of all the bounties which a beneficent Providence places within our reach, I look forward with the most ardent wishes; and may the advancement of true morality and virtue (those best supports of any government) go hand in hand with the patriotic endeavours of the enlightened and liberal promoters of their country's honour!

Workington Hall, Feb. 19, 1808.

THE END,

INDEX.

ACCOUNTS, 216, 248

Acland, Rev. T. 359

Addington, Mr. 146

Agricultural meetings, 258

Agriculture, great change in, within the last fifty years, 129
Antijacobin Review, 85

Apprentices, 218

Bailiffs, 233, 250

Barley, consumption of, in this country, 146

culture of, 204, 223

Bates, Mr. 135, 138, 185

Bayle, Mr. 135

Beddoes, Dr. 89 note, 102

Bedford, Duke of, 15, 17, 184, 241

J

Beer inferior to milk as beverage for hard working people, 90

Bell, Mr. 363

Blith's Survey of Husbandry surveyed, 201

Bolton, Mr. 854

Books on agriculture, 240

Bowyer, Mr. John, letter from, 97

Bread, 86

Breakfast, comparison of milk with tea for, 85

Britain, only danger to, 103

number of horses in, 142

agricultural commerce of, 146

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Britain, foreign trade of, 148

commercial population of, 149
agricultural population of, ib.

importance of agriculture to, 150

Butter, method of preventing a disagreeable taste in, 68, note

proportion of, to milk, 69, 93, 95

Cabbages as food for cattle, 41, 43, 44, 62

culture of, 211, 212, 270, 272

Calves, melasses or brown sugar not fit food for, 92, note

Campbell, Mr. D. 278

Carron company, 16

Carrots, a good substitute for oats, 11, 60, 175

substituted for potatoes, 29

profit of, 60, 176 --

their tops good for cows, 166
compared with oats, 177

method of keeping, 178, 266

preparation of the seed, 179

culture of, 262

Carts, single horse, preferable to waggons, 18, 251
Cato, 200

Cattle, sea-sand used as bedding for, 67

sale of, in Smithfield, 131

increase in size of, ib.

short-horned, 133, 135

long-horned, 133

kylo, 140, 186

on soiling, 161, 194

Children, casy and advantageous mode of providing clothing

for, 327

illegitimate, 370

sent to manufactories, 370

China, 151, 231

Churns, 69, 70

Cleaning

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