7« 



INTRODUCTION. 



EVERY attempt to ameliorate the condition of the labouring poor, 

 is laudable at all times,' but is peculiarly feafonable at a junfture, whea 

 it muft be confefled, great difcontents prevail, among the lower clafles 

 of the people';' and although the generaV profperity of the country may 

 be progreffive, many and galling grievances fubfift, much fevere and 

 encreafing mifery is felt in many quarters, and difcontent and famine 

 too frequently pervade the habitation of the peafant and the manufac- 

 turer. 



Whence the murmurs and diffatisfaftion of all the labouring poor, 

 and the local mifery of too many among them proceed, it is not the 

 bufmefs of the prefent elTay to enquire. ' - 



Various concurring caufes have given fome fevere ftabs, to the ma- 

 nufactures of this country ; and it will requu-e every art of healing, to 



( y 2 ) cure 



