c 159 ) 



CHAPTER THE FOURTH, 



^oor anft iLalioun 



A HAT the value of labour is more generally proportioned 

 to the price of provifions, in this county, than in many 

 others in the kingdom, maybe readily admitted ; but that 

 the poor's rates, which are now upon the rack rents through 

 the county 3s. 6d. in the pound, fhould have increafed one- 

 third of that fum within ten years, and that alfo, without 

 the leafl fhadow of proportion in the increafe of population, 

 is certainly very ftrange, and argues a pofitive inadequacy in 

 the value of labour, to that of provifion, or a general mis- 

 management, or mifiipplication of the revenues of the poor. 



As revenues of the poor, they may now with as much 

 propriety, as roundly and as correctly be alTerted, as any 

 other revenue drawn from the fubje£t, and attaching upon 

 the crown. 



Upon this principle then, it would furely be advifable to 

 invert this defcription of people with fuch an interell in the 

 management of their own affairs, as would beft comport 

 with their judgment and feeling, and ultim.ately tend to the 

 exclufive coiifervation of that revenue agreeably to the 

 purpofes of its original inftitution : at the fame time pre- 

 vent 



