33© 



neymen. He will, alfo, buy his materials, and tools, of the bed quality, 

 and on the moft reafonable terms, through his being thus furniftied with 

 ready money, to pay for them. On the fame account, he will be able to 

 engage the befl: journeymen. Thus, the produftions of his art, will be ren- 

 dered more perfeft ; and the exertions of his induftry, will duly replace the 

 principal, and intereft, with a competent profit for the manufafturer hira- 

 felf. 



Yet, though the exaftions of pawn-brokers are a fevere grievance, I 

 would not propofe, to exclude them totally. The fhops of pawn-brokers are 

 an evil ; but, I apprehend, they are a neceffary evil. They are, fome- 

 times, ufeful to thofe, whofe wants are too proud, to borrow fmall fums, 

 in the avowed, and ufual modes of borrowing ; and to thofe who, having 

 neither friends, nor credit, to enable them to borrow, on more advantage- 

 ous terms, find no rcfources, in their diftrefs, but a depofit, and a pawn- 

 broker. The wants of the borrower, and the fcarcity of money, muft be 

 arbiters of the interefl, that money will bring. Enaft what penal laws you 

 pleafe, there always have been, and always will be, lenders of money on 

 ufury. It is better, therefore, that fome bounds fliould be fet to the prac- 

 tice ; and that money-lenders fhould be curbed by fome regulations, which 

 may be really enforced, than that the evil fliould be aggravated, by a vain 

 attempt to cure it. A total prohibition of ufury will, certainly, be evaded. 

 Both lender, and borrower, will confpire againft the law; and the rifque in 

 lending, and the neceflity of concealment, will only encreafe the hardfhips 

 of the borrower, and the rapacity of the ufurer. 



I would be far from propofrag an indifcriminate loan, to every perfon, 

 who fliould apply, under the denomination of tradefman, or manufafturer. 

 Such, only, fliouid be entitled to aid, from the inftitution, as were likely 

 to make proper ufe of the loan, and to repay it with punctuality ; that is to 

 fay, fuch as could be recommended, for their habits of induftry, and for the 

 integrity of their dealings. 



I would not propofe, to lend this money, intercft free ; on two ac- 

 counts : Jirfl;, I would provide for the permanency of the fund ; and, as 



the 



