210 
talked of than many other wonders of the 
country, this is, in my opinivn, a scene 
that is peculiarly interesting. It is wild, 
romantic, solemn, and impressive; recal- 
ling the memory of former times, and in 
the contemplation of the mutilated frag- 
ments of the proudly soaring precipices 
that seem as if fixed for ages in the earth, 
reminding the observer, that even the 
world, and the most apparently durable of 
nature’s works, are subject to decay; 
while in ourselves— 
Swift down the pathway of declining 
years, 
As on we journey through this vale of tears 
Youth wastes away, and withers like a 
flower, 
The lovely phantom of a fleeting hour ; 
*Mid the light sallies of the mantling soul, 
The smiles of beauty, and the social bowl, 
Inaudible, the foot of chilly Age 
Steals on our joys, and drives us from the 
stage. 
Hodgson’s Translation of Fuvenal, 
Farewell, My next will contain an 
hasty sketch of my journey to the north, 
and scenes more congenial to my taste, 
than are to be found amongst the din of 
forges, or the busy countenances of mo- 
ney-making manutacturers. : 
f Tue WaNnDERER. 
a 
Ta the Editor of the Monthly Magazine, 
SIR, ‘ 
FNHE parish of which I am the m- 
"I nister, is one of those which are 
everburthened with poor; and the cir- 
cumstances of distress on one hand, and 
injury to the estates on the other, are 
equally melancholy in contemplation. 
Any man possessed of common pru- 
dence, must know the peril of letting off 
projects; but I trust that, what I have 
to state, does not come under that denu- 
mination. I conceive, that poor’s rates 
may be abolished gradually, and that, by 
the means absolutely practised by the 
wiser poor themselves. eemeiny | 
The principle of all legislation is to 
compel men to consult what is, in fact, 
their own good; and prevent their annoy- 
ance of their neighbours, in life, pro- 
perty, or reputation. ‘The necessity of 
concentrating a disproportionate mass of 
the population upon one spot, for the 
purposes of manufacture, 1s a grievous 
oppression upon the local landholser, in 
many places. He derives no benefit 
from the labours of that trading popula- 
tion, and the rent of his farm is propor- 
tionally diminished. I do not deny the 
national profit; I do not deny the 
Practicability of Abolishing Poor's Rates. 
[ Nov. 1; . 
genéral benefit ; but the Jocal oppression 
still remains. 
Tn an adjacent market-town, we have - 
a benefit club. by which I have found 
that a very comfortable provision is made 
for members who have been necessi« 
tated to recur to its pecuniary assistance, 
There are, perhaps, already made, cal- 
culations where such institutions can be 
conducted upon a sure principle; and I 
submit it to the candid and benevolent, 
whether the following. ideas bear an as- 
pect of absurdity, and whether philan- - 
thropic and enlightened gentlemen. 
would find them cf difficult execution, 
They du not require half the concern 
which is bestowed upon the game; and 
they would find the benefit much greater 
than. from pulling down cottages, and 
taking measures which, in a generat 
view, are not politic. ‘ 
I would suggest, that a plan upon a 
proper footing, upon the principle of a 
benefit-club which cannot fail, be estab- 
lished in districts. or parishes, as found 
best. FE would then recommend gentle« 
men to give notice to their tenants, (mae 
nufacturers exercising the same power in 
relation to their workmen,) not to em- 
ploy persons who did not belong to sacha 
fand, and pay a proportion, by no means 
oppressive, but rated according to their 
earnings and families. This fund Ef, 
would aid by contributions of.. the 
principal inhabitants, upon ratios of 
assessment settled among themselves; 
such sums being suffered for the first se- 
ven years to accumulate, and thus have 
the operation of a tontine survivorship, 
in aid of the future demands. For in- 
stance, the population of this parish is 
more than 3000 persons, and the poor’s.. 
rate exceeds 1200]. yet the rent-roll of 
the parish scarcely exceeds 30001, The 
manufacture. is cloth-working; and, 
when trade has been commonly good, 
the weavers, shearmen, and others, can 
earn 1], Ql. 3l. or even 41, per week. 
Where would be the cruelty of a manu- 
facturer saying, * John, I pay you so 
much, [insist upon your belonging to 
our institution, according to the ratios of 
your family and earnings:” the workman 
refuses. The natural answer is, Then, I 
will not give you but so much; and he 
deducts the amount. Unmarried men, 
and servant-maids, could afford to pay 
something. Day-labourers could afford 
little, it 1s true, with families; cottages, 
with an acre or two of land, and a good 
garden, are the best provision for them; 
but they should never be their own, be- 
cause 
