22 NEW BRIDEWELL. Sept. 1 4, 



By a pamplilet lately published relating to the free- 

 holders in Scotland, it apppars, that in this county the 

 number cl freeholders is 85. Suppofing each of them 

 to poflefs a houfe liable to the above tax, tlie fum, in 

 whole, that can be levied upon the freeholders of Mid- 

 Lothian for the fupport of the Bridewell, will bp an- 

 nually Four Poufids Five ShiHings Sterling. 



By a (late of the public road funds, printed about 

 four years ago, it appears that the number of plowgates 

 in this county is 1 1 70. 



Thus the tetmiitSy or proprietors in the capacity of 

 farmers^ will have to pay for the fame purpofe 5 81. los. 

 that is, nearly fourteen times more than the lairds. 



I would be glad to know on what principle of equity 

 the above affeflment is thus laid on ? 



When the fir ft turnpike road afTeflrnent was inftitu- 



ted in this county, the gentry of that age had the mo- 



delly to get themfclves exempted from its influence. 



The gentry of the prefcnt day, to their honour be it 



fpoken, aft with more magnanimity and generofity ; 



they difdain to lay the avhcle burden on their tenants, 



they have, on the contrary, v/ith much liberality, fo 



contrived this bufmefs of the Bridewell, that from an 



annual revenue of above ioo,oool. Sterling, they are 



to pay co!le£tive!y the very confiderable fum of Four 



Poui:ds and Five Shillings per Annum ! 



Mid-Lothian, _ 



. ' A TENANT, 



Aug. 10, 1791. 



To the Editor of the Bee. 



On the Benefits to be derived from the general Diffnfion 

 of Knczuledge, 



Sir, 



1 REJOICE to find your Literary Journal in fo good a 

 train. I hope nothing will now obftruQ this ufcful 



