sect. 111. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. IOI 



will be a matter of indifference to him, whether 

 he lay by the savings of his labour, or throw 

 them away by folly and extravagance. So long 

 as people know that the allowance of public 

 charity must be small, and that, in bestowing it, 

 consideration will be had to their former in- 

 dustry and good conduct, they will be naturally 

 led to labour for their own support as long as 

 possible ; and, even after public aid is needed 

 and bestowed, will continue their exertions while 

 they can, that, by the addition of their own earn- 

 ings, scanty as they may be, their situation may 

 be rendered as easy and comfortable as possible. 

 But give them a legal claim to support, when 

 unfit for labour, and in necessitous circumstan- 

 ces, and one of the most powerful incitements. 

 to industry and sober conduct is removed. Ex- 

 travagance can indulge itself freely, without the 

 dread of beggary ; an inclination to idleness can 

 easily frame excuses for a cessation from labour ; 

 and inability will often be pretended, where in 

 reality it does not exist. 



If ever it shall be found necessary to intro- 

 duce poors rates into this county, the proprie- 

 tors will have themselves to blame. At present, 

 the greatest share of the weekly collections 

 comes from the pockets of the farmers, trades- 

 men, and labourers. Non-residing heritors can- 

 not be supposed to contribute any thing this 

 way ; and they seldom give any thing any other 

 way. Of the resident proprietors few can be 

 said to attend the church regularly, and conse- 

 quently add little to the amount of the public 

 collections. There are still some, however, and, 

 I say it with much pleasure, whose attendance 



