1792. statistical account of Scotland. l4"(y 



blush, that tlie parish is better able to support their aged 

 parents, than they are ; while you will see them, at the 

 same time, in the prime of life, unclogged with families, in- 

 dulging in every species of debauchery common to that 

 rank, in life. But the mischief ends not with them : Many 

 who fill higher stations, and whose circumstances are not 

 only easy, but affluent, make their contributing to the 

 poor's funds, an excuse for throwing their near relations as 

 a burden on the parish." 



" It is an undoubted fact, that when people are taughe 

 to depend upon any means of support, which flows noi" 

 from their laudable industry and oeconomy, the meannels 

 of the thought degrades every virtue, and opens the door 

 to every vice, that can debase the soul. Their only 

 dependance ought to be upon their own labour and exer- 

 tions, [with the kindnefs that will infallibly ensue among 

 their neighbours] which, when joined with oeconomy, will 

 always furnllh them [when in health] with the means of 

 a decent maintenance. Promoting their industry Is the 

 best provision that can be made for them." 



" Even during the infirmities of age, their support 

 (liould be a voluntary gift, and not compulsory 5 and iliould 

 depend upon the character they maintained, in their early 

 days, for honesty and virtue." 



It deserves to be particularly noted, that in this parliTi, 

 the sums raised by the rates are L. 114. 4s. besides the in- 

 terest of L. 200, which is at 5 per cent L. 10 and the whole 

 collections at church ; so that there is applied to the uses 

 of the poor, in a parifli of 1700 persons, L. 12^ per an- 

 num, more than is found necefsary for their support in 

 three-f(jurths of the pariflies in Scotland. 



Whoever rellects coolly on these things, and attends to 

 their confc'iuences in society, will not think it strange, if 

 1 bestow some pains to warn my countrymen, in the most 



