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ing ftaie of fads, to (hew the great utility of a 

 Society of this kind in that town, and of which 

 that gentleman is Treafurer. 



S I R, 



I SEND you an account of monies paid by one 

 of the clubs eftablifhed in this town from the year 

 1765, to the end of 1783. As all the members of 

 this club may be confidered as poor, it is not only 

 probable, that if no fuch club had fubfifted, that 

 the whole of this money muft have been drawn from 

 the Poors Rates, but even a larger fum: for on 

 enquiry I find, that it is a very uncommon thing 

 for the members of the club to apply to the parifli 

 on any occafion. The other clubs in the town arc 

 formed on nearly fimilar principles, and therefore 

 I fend you only the articles of this club. 



Though fuch Societies fhould by all means be 

 promoted, yet I am convinced, that the increafe 

 of the poor's rates, particularly in large towns, is 

 owing in a great degree to the overfeers being con- 

 tinued in their office only for one year; for before 

 they become acquainted with the poor in the pnrifli, 

 they are fubjed: to vai-ious impofitions, and it being 

 a difagreeable office, they are glad to get through 

 it as eafily and as foon as poffible. Whereas, were 

 there but conftant officers, or were they chofen for 



three 



