[ 348 ] . 



will admit, I think you cannot beftovv a few 

 guineas better than in offering a premium " to the 

 moft numerous Society of this kind, of not lefs than 

 forty members, which fhall be eilabhihed by la- 

 bourers and handicraftfmen, in any country town 

 or parifli where no fuch Society is at prefent infti- 

 tuted. The faid premium to be claimed as foon 

 as the faid Society, of not lefs than forty members, 

 has fublifted one year." 



I have prcfumed to offer the above propofal on 

 this principle, that whatever tends to make our 

 labouring poor induftrious and good oeconomifls, 

 while in healthy and to render them comfortable 

 when under qfflicJioriy is worthy your confideration ; 

 and that thefe friendly clubs or focieties have fuch 

 a tendency, is, I think, felf-evident. 



A poor man, flattered with the hope of receiving 

 feven {hillings per week in any future ficknefs, will 

 either work extra hours for the three-pence he has 

 to pay, or fave it from the ale-houfe. After he has 

 been fome years a member, it becomes habitual; 

 and the fear of lofing all the money he has paid in, 

 by forfeiting all the advantage he, as a member, is 

 entitled to in cafes of accident or illncfs, will ope- 

 rate ftrongly in preventing him from declining his 

 fubfcription. Refources of this kind have alfo a 



tendency 



