I fee as little Reason too for another Rule laid down by these Authors; which is, to restrain the Corporation from raising more in a Year in any Parish, than it paid in any one of the three Years before this Scheme took place: For why should not more be raised, if the Neceffities of the Poor require it? Have not the Overseers at present a Power in that Cafe to raise more? And why should the Corporation be more limited than the Overfeers are Befides, this Caution is very unneceffary; for I am fully perfuaded, that the Poor's Rates would not increase, but rather think they would gradually abate, and at last entirely ceafe. And there is more Reafon to expect, that from numerous Benefactions, and from the Profit of the Labour of the Poor, in Process of Time, the Corporation would be able not only to provide for them, but would have a Surplus of Money to apply yearly to the Repairs of Churches and Highways, the Improvement of Rivers and Havens, and other Works of a public Nature, within their respective Districts.

The next Article is, the Corporation to be established in each District, to which the Care of the Poor is always to belong, and which must therefore be of perpetual Continuance. And here we are to confider, of what Perfons it is to be constituted, and in what Manner; then, how their Succeffion is to be maintained; and laftly, with what Powers they are to be invested.

Sir Jofiah proposes, that his Corporation should consist of Perfons chofen by the Liverymen of the City of London, and by the Juftices of Peace for the other Parts of his District: But as his Scheme is calculated only for the Bills of Mortality, it can be no

Direction for the rest of the Kingdom. The Lord Chief Justice proposes, that a Master and two Overseers for every Work-house fhould compose the Corporation, and that they should be appointed by the Quarter-Seffions. But I like better Mr. Cary's Propofal, that it fhould confift of the Juftices of Peace within the District, and of a certain Number of Perfons elected by each Parish, in proportion to the Sum that it pays, according to the Plan of that of Bristol: For this will preserve a just Balance between the Nomination of the Crown, and the Choice of the People; and probably will please them beft, which is a Point much to be confulted; for on their good Opinion of the Managers, will depend their Benefactions to the Corporation. And confiderable Benefactors might be admitted Members. I agree with Sir Jofiah, that they should be subject to no Oaths or Tests; and I think, if any Qualification is required, it should be only that of having fuch an Estate. Mr. Cary would have them chofen by Freeholders; I rather think they should be chosen by the Occupiers of the Land; they are the Voters in all Parish Business; and it is reasonable they fhould be fo, fince out of their Pockets the Rates do iffue.

To preferve the Succeffion in the Corporation, Sir Jofiah proposes, that the Survivors fhould fill up the Places of those that die; which I can by no means approve of, no more than I do his chufing them for Life: For this tends to establish a Body of Men too abfolute and independent: For though 'tis neceffary the Corporation fhould continue for ever, 'tis as convenient, that the Individuals fhould fometimes be changed. Therefore I think the Practice at Bristol is to be followed, that every two Years

half

half the Perfons elected should go out, and others be chofen in their room, room, unless any of them were re-elected. Or if Or if any die, the Parish for which they served should proceed to a new Choice.

As to the Powers of the Corporation, I think they should be invested with all the Powers relating to the Poor, that the Law at prefent lodges with the Justices of Peace and Overseers; and that the Overseers fhould have nothing to do for the future, but to affefs, collect, and pay in the Rates charged on each Parish; and to convey impotent and indigent Perfons to the Hospital and Work-house. The Corporation should likewise have Power to make By-Laws for the Regulation of their own Proceedings; and a Power to nominate and pay, difplace and find their own Officers.

The Capacity of the Corporation to purchase and take Lands and Perfonal Eftates for the Ufe of the Poor, is the laft thing mentioned by all these Authors, and indeed is necessary to add Life and Vigour to their whole Proceedings. They should have Liberty to purchafe Lands without Licence in Mortmain, and without Limitation as to the Value; for it will be time enough to limit them when their Eftates are full-grown. Nor do I diflike Sir Jofiah's Thought, of giving them Authority to make Collections in Churches, and other Places of Religious Worship within their Districts. And it should be Felony for any to conceal or mifapply the Treasure of the Corporation.

I have now laid before the Reader the Subftance of the three Schemes above-mentioned, with fuch Remarks of my own

as

as I thought neceffary to explain, improve them, or to point out their Defects. I can think but of one thing more, which I wish might be added; that is, that Commiffions should be yearly iffued, under the Great Seal, to Perfons of the first Rank and Eminence throughout the Kingdom, to visit and inspect all the Houses in the feveral Districts; and to report the State of the Poor to the next Seffion of Parliament; that fo any Defect, that fhould be discovered, might foon be fupplied, or any Abuse meet with a speedy Reformation. Thefe Perfons, when in Execution of their Office, fhould be diftinguished by fome honourable Enfigns of Authority; and, during the Continuance of their Commiffion, fhould have Precedence of all Perfons, except the Great Officers of the State: For it is juft, that they, who humble themselves to this good Office, fhould be exalted in this World, as they certainly will be in the next.

The Advantages to be expected by fuch a Regulation are more than at first can easily be conceived. I have mentioned many in the course of this Treatife; and am so pleased with the Prospect, that I beg leave again to enumerate fome of the most obvious.

The Poor in general will be more comfortably provided for ; and there will be an end of all the expensive and vexatious Suits about their Settlements.

The Charge of their Maintenance will be lefs; the Poor's Rates will abate; and, in Process of Time, will probably cease.

The

The Nation will be freed from Vagrants and Beggars; and the Number of Criminals will decrease.

The Lives of many Children will be faved; which are now murdered or loft for want of due Care.

The Number of the People will be increased by Marriage; which is now fcandalously discouraged by Parishes to fave Expence; and from which the Poor themselves are fometimes frightened by the Profpect of a large Family.

Trade, Navigation, and Husbandry, will be advanced; and the Wealth of the Nation increased.

And, what is most to be confidered, the Morals of the Poor will be improved by a sober Education, and an industrious Habit ; which will render this and future Generations wifer and better.

I have now gone through my Subject, which, as Sir Jofiah fays, is a calm one, and thwarts no Interest but that of the common Enemy of Mankind. I have reminded the World of the Sentiments of others upon it; and have delivered my own with all Freedom. I mean not to dictate, but to propofe; hoping that my Proposals may excite Perfons of greater Abilities to employ their Thoughts the fame Way. A better Provision for the Poor is so much wanted, that I earnestly with it may be no longer delayed. It is a Work of the greatest Piety towards God, of the greatest Humanity to our own Species, of the greatest Utility

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