14S statistical account of Scotland. Jan. 1^, 



•than sufficient to support the poor." The same strain runs 

 through most of the account of parlfhes where volunta- 

 ry alms only are given ; and we meet with many instare- 

 i^es of the good tendency of this mode of benevolence,- u- 

 pon the people at large. " In 1782 and 1783, says the 

 reverend Mr George Duncan of Lochrutton, when there 

 •was a general scarcity over all the country, the crops in, 

 this district were, at least, as good as usual*, and though the 

 harvest was late, the crops were got safely in. The far- 

 mers were so grateful for the plenty they enjoyed, and 

 were so sensible of the hardlliips a number of families 

 might suffer from the high price of provisions, that they 

 stored up a considerable quantity of oat-meal, to be sold 

 to such of their neighbours as stood in need of a supply, at 

 i s. 8 d. per stone, although at that time, the market price 

 was 2 5. 4 d." Such instances of general benevolence 

 are by do means uncommon. 



I ftiall conclude this branch of the subject with the 

 following remarks on the effects of poor's rates in the parilh 

 of Selkirk, by the reverend Mr Thomas Robertson their 

 parson. " Poor's rates, says he, have been long establillied 

 "here, to the great prejudice of induttry and virtue, among 

 the lower clafs of citizens. " The parilh is bound to 

 support us," is their apology for difsipation through eve- 

 ry period of life." Then he gives a picture of youthful 

 difsipation, and its consequeiices in a married state, which 

 our limits prevent inserting. " Their unfortunate de- 

 jiendance on the poor's funds, makes them lefs disposed 

 to industrious exertion. This too difsolves the ties of 

 uiit'iral afftctlon, while it maltiplles the number, and 

 increases the necefsities of the poor. If the child- 

 ren suffer from the want of oeconomy and virtue in their 

 parents, the parents are abundantly repaid by the neglect, 

 of their children, when bending under tlie double load of 

 ia!aim.ity and indigence. They will tell you, withoiita 



