5l6 OCTOBER. 



tills hint demands one observation : a very material 

 evil attending the support of the poor by rates, is 

 the natural tendency they have essentially to lessen, 

 if not to cut up charity by the root ; that they do 

 this in many hearts cannot be doubted; but it is A 

 horrible and a national evil. Let our young farmer 

 accustom his mind to very different reflections, re- 

 membering that what he pays in poor-rates he is 

 forced to pay, and that it is a part of his calculation 

 in stocking his farm : if he expects to prosper (but 

 not from that motive only, or he might as well close 

 his purse) .let him so accustom himself to kind 

 offices and assistance to his poor neighbours, who- 

 ever they may work with, as to gain a habit of 

 reaping pleasure from his free benevolence. 



In such calculations as I have hinted at, he may 

 safely estimate his profit at 10 per cent, on his ca- 

 pital: from 40001. his income derived from his farm 

 wught to be 4001. a year. He should lay up 50l. 

 and as much more as his better interest may per- 

 mit. To expend this in extra improvements, may 

 be the most advantageous investment, provided he 

 owns his farm, or has a long lease, not otherwise. 



To attend markets and a few fairs, is a necessary 

 part of Si farmer's business; but to a young man it- 

 is a .very dangerous part; it is too apt to give the 

 evil habits of drinking and dissipation: evil com* 

 pany is every where to be found ; and many a far- 

 mer has been ruined by a want of a careful selec- 

 tion of his acquaintance, and by not avoiding the 

 oontrzction of habits which cannot be indulged with 



safety. 



