1793* a fcinnei- icj 



An example cf a particular abuse of power.. 



Sir. To the Editor of the Bee. 



I have been a constant reader of your Bee since its 

 commencement, and have found much useful information 

 in it on many subjects. But there are some that I think, 

 of great importance, you have never so much as touched 

 on. With your permifsion 1 fhall state a case of that 

 sort which lately occurred to me. Ii is a grievance of a 

 very heavy nature ; nor do I know how to obtain a re- 

 medy for it. 



You must know, Mr Psinter, that 1 am a farmer, and 

 have a numerous family, most of them boys 5 and am not 

 a little difficulted about finding proper businefses foi: 

 them all. Farms ai e now so dear, in our neighbourhood, 

 and so ill to be had, that I am obliged to look for 0- 

 ther businefses for most of them to follow. My third 

 son, having made a visit to Edinburgh made choice of ?, 

 profefsion there : and having communicated his wifties to 

 me, I thought it afforded no unreasonable prospect of en- 

 abling him to live by it, if prosecuted with attention and 

 economy j and agreed to let him follow it. 1 accordingly 

 took an opportunity of speaking to a man in that busincfs, 

 who agreed to take him as an apprentice, on his serving 

 four years without receiving any wages, and paying an ap- 

 prentice fee of pounds. After some hesitation on 



my part, and explanations to prevent mistakes, I agret- J 

 to the proposal : my son was bound,-*-the prenticeihip 

 is now expired, and my son returned home. 



Now, Sir, though I do not mention what the businefs 

 is, lest it might lead to a knowledge, of the parties, and 

 thus appear to be personal j which I observe you justly- 



