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from view, without advancing any claim ; indeed, without being con- 

 fcious, of its own value. So, it is the nature of the moft acute dif- 

 trefs, to pine, in fecret, without uttering a complaint. To fearch out 

 objeifls of encouragement, afliftance, and inftruflion, a committee of a 

 competent number of the inhabitants of the feveral diftrids, might be 

 appointed, by the fufTrage of the reft of the inhabitants. I would add, 

 as of courfe, and without election, all the minifters of religion, in the 

 diftricl, without diftinclion of feft. Thefe ftiould, in turn, vifit the 

 habitations of the labouring poor ; infpeft their moral conduft ; their 

 domeftic management, their care of their offspring, the progrefs of their 

 induftry. They fliould recommend fuch as were diftreft, for relief, 

 and affiilance, to be collefted by voluntary contributions ; the merito- 

 rious, who might diftinguilh themfeives, by fuperior induftry, morality, 

 and good conduft ; for reward. The fund for thefe rewards, might 

 be eftablifhed, either, as aforefaid, by voluntary contributions ; or, un- 

 der the fanftion of the law, by applotment, on the feveral diftricls ; 

 and I have fuch a good opinion, of the liberality and humanity, of 

 the people of this country ; that I am perfuaded, the fums neceffary 

 for thefe purpofes, might eafiiy be procured, in any method, that fliould 

 be fuggefted. The too general apathy, that poffeffes the public mind, 

 does not proceed, from the want of good feelings. 



I would have premiums appointed, for, — the nioft: induftrious man, 

 the beft father of a family, the beft fon, the bed brother, the beft 

 hufband. Any fignal trait, of humanity, of courage, of fidelity, or 

 of honefty, fliould receive its fliare of praife and reward. Nor would 

 I exclude even women and children, from thefe honourable diftin£lion. 

 — I would reward tliofe women, who diftinguiflied themfeives, by their 

 induftry, and the care of their families. The woman, who had reared 

 and educated the greateft number of children, in health, induftry, and 

 good conduft ; flie, that had earned the greateft amount, in value, 

 by her own labour ; flie, that could boaft the neateft cottage — fliould 

 all be diftinguiflied. — Let not the attention to neatnefs and dcanlinefs 



be 



