[ ^'3 ] 



rather it will fupply the natural and necefTary defcd 

 of them. What can be more worthy of a wife and 

 good man, than to be employed in effedbing a good, 

 which a government cannot accomplifli, and that by 

 exercfmg, mod to his own rational delight, the be- 

 nevolence of his own mind ? 



Of the Vagrant Poor^ — thofe who under various 

 pretences wander about the country without any 

 vifiblc means of getting a maintenance, and who 

 fiirnilh but too common a fufpicion of their being 

 worfe than fturdy beggars, — we (hall fay but little. 

 As vagrants, the laws now in force provide for 

 their being treated as they too generally defcrve ; 

 and if fuch pcrfons were more frequently taken 

 into puftody, and compelled to give an account 

 of themfelves, it would be equally good in its 

 confequences to them and to the community. 

 In this refped die adivity of magiftrates, in pu« 

 niihing the idle and profligate on the on^ hand, 

 while on the other they exercife their authority 

 in their diftridls, to prevent parochial oppreflions, 

 and negleds of duty towards the diftreffed, will 

 prevent rpuch irregular drolling, and corredl the 

 motives to it. This very important part of a ma- 

 giftrate's duty, though in itfelf an unpleafant and 

 invidious one, cannot be too much commended, 

 P 3 vvhercver 



