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 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 ་ Britain, foreign trade of, 148 commercial population of, 149 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 method of keeping, 178, 266 preparation of the seed, 179 culture of, 262 Carts, single horse, preferable to waggons, 18, 251 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 |