[ 236 3 



the petty fliufBings and underhand tricks to evade 

 or diminifli the poor-rates, fo common at prefent, 

 would be annihilated, and every human being, with- 

 out fear or moleftation, would be enabled to feek 

 his lubfiftence wherever his genius, his inclination, 

 or his intereft, might lead himj but, above all, the 

 lum of human happinefs would be confiderably aug- 

 mented, by the comfort which every man of mode- 

 rate defires and independent principles muft feel, 

 when he recoUeds, that whatever accident can befall 

 him, to deprive him of the power of getting his 

 lubfiftence, he is certain of a comfortable main- 

 tenance, without any difgrace to himfelf, or any 

 obligation to others. " In the days of my profperity 

 (fays he to the Treafurer of the fund) I depofited a 

 fum of money in your hands to fupport me when I 

 lliould fall under the preflure of adverfity j that period 

 is now arrived, I demand therefore on your part the 

 fulfilment of the contradl-j pay me the fum 1 flipu- 

 lated to receive." 



Such are the advantages which fecm naturally to 

 arife from the plan .1 have ventured to propofe; but 

 perhaps difficulties may occur in the execution, 

 which I, in my zeal, may have overlooked, or which 

 cannot at present be forefeen ; and which may render 

 the fcheme in fome meafure aboFtive, Thefe diffi-^ 



cultics. 



