f "7 ] 



obtain a national reform, by authority. But im- 

 provements by inftitutions of authority, have long 

 been waited for in vain. Some have held forth 

 the neceflity of large buildings under the names of 

 work-houfes, houfes of induftry, &:c. to becfta- 

 blifhed in certain diftrids through the nation, for 

 carrying on different branches of manufadlure, by 

 means of the indigent, who fhould want relief; 

 thereby fuppofing that fuch poor would be more 

 certainly employed, more regularly fuperintendcd, 

 better provided for, and at a cheaper rate* 



Others have reprobated that fyftem in totOy and 

 maintained that while fuch houfes would be attended 

 with an enormous expence of building, they would 

 do nothing towards leflening the general burden j 

 but that the poor in them, committed as to fo many 

 jails, would be rendered unhappy i their morals, 

 from a crowded way of life, would become more 

 corrupt } their labour would be lefs, and their work 

 worfe done; confequently, that manufadlures would 

 be injured : that the maintenance of the poor 

 would coft more, and that the peafantry would be 

 enervated by fuch early confinement and reftraint. 



Under fuch contradictory opinions, the fubjeft 

 has r(?ceivcd but little elucidation j and the uncer- 

 tainty 



