s 
_ consideration 
1209.] Principles that may ensure their permanent Utility. 
fore be undertaken by none but those 
thoroughly versant in the complex and 
intricate political and mathematical cal- 
culations. 
Out of many hundreds, there is not 
perhaps a single society in this: neigh. 
bourliood whose scheme is not defective 
aid fallacious, as well-as that of the one 
your correspondent P. shews the inaccu- 
racy of, excepting the Glasgow Annuity 
Society, imstituted in the present year, 
and deservedly announced with appro- 
bation in the Glasgow Courier news- 
paper, of 31st March last. Persons of 
either sex, and of any age under 60, are 
admitted members, and “the tables yegu- 
Tating the payments to the fund, and 
annuities derivable, are computed by 
rule in question 6th, vol. 1st, of Dr. 
Price on Annuities, only substituting the 
Northampton probabilitics of Le and 
recxoning interest at 5 per cent. From 
the g general reliance held on Dr. Price’s 
anthority, the institution promises per- 
manent utility. ‘This society deserves 
praise for circulating, gratis,a printed ab- 
stract of their plan, with a minute ac- 
ceunt of the principles on whiclr it is 
founded: to which are added several ex- 
tracts from Dr. Price on ies, eX- 
posing the ruinous principles of the Lon- 
don societies. 
Your correspondent P. submits to 
public opinion a scheme more adapted 
to general utility. But, as the data re- 
gu: ‘red on which to build the foundation 
of society schemes, comprehending a 
multiplicity. of appendages, (as Mrs. 
Cappe says) ‘ would render the under- 
taking extremely arduous, and as one 
single error might endanger the whole 
superstructure,” it becomes matter of 
whether it may not be 
most adviseable to have every institution 
of this sort .as httle complicated as pos- 
sible, and form separate establishments, 
‘one for the provision of males alone, and 
another for that of femaies. However, 
the more general utility schemes of 
any kind, if not unnecessarily or -im- 
properly complicated, are calculated to 
produce, the better; it. would there- 
fore be a most desirabie thing were 
the public in possession of calculations 
adequate to meet the several contingen- 
cies embraced hy these schemes. 
I cannot, however, but greatly approve 
of the plan of female benefit societies, 
suggested by Mrs. Cappe. And were 
the Duchess of Montrose, whase bene- 
volent goodness diffuses blessings and 
comfort around * ber, uy unacquainted 
‘dered dangerous er anwholesome.” 
-excluded from other societies, to prevent 
163 
with, to inform herself of. the nature of 
these institutions, and patronize them iss 
this quarter, it would greatly add to ber 
Grace’s other acts of munificence. This 
noble lady, since her arrival in Scotland, 
has considerably augmented the former 
liberal provisions for the poor of the 
parish in which the seat of the Muntrose 
family is situated, aud of those of the 
neighbouring parishes. While the ta- 
mily reside at Buchanan House, she dis- 
tributes portions of meal, weekly or 
monthly, and excellent broth, thrice a 
week, amongst the needy, who either 
come or send for it. She clothes the 
naked, administers medicines to the sick, 
and has instituted a sewing school at her 
own expense, for the instruction of young 
orphan girls, and those of poor parentage, 
and farnishes them with apparel. There 
are many ladies also in this part of the 
kingdom, distinguished for their deeds of 
benevolence, who would readily follow 
the example; and female friendly so- 
cieties, unheard of here before the receipt 
of your Magazine, pubished ist Sepe. 
last, in which allusion is made to ae 
by Mrs. Cappe, would thus: | happily | be= 
come generally introduced in Scotland. 
It is a circumstance not relished here, 
that the computations made are Uni 
versally on the principle of walking al al. 
lowance being half of the bedfast. fs 
is considered as being too great a dispro- 
penn) and that it would be more suit- 
abie were the allowances as in the pre~ 
portion of 7s. Gd. while: walking abous, 
to 10s. while confined to bed: of Gs. . 
walking ahout to 8s. bedfast, &c. In- 
stead of being entitled to allowances 
only in the event of attaining the aves 
of 60, 65, and-70, it would in maby 
cases Le more desirable to have the al- 
lowances ta commence at any time, or 
atany age whatever, that the members 
may bencapacitated for labour. Many, 
meet with accidents and misfortunes at 
an early period of life, which can nenher 
be foreseen nor prevented, and would 
thus be left totally.destitute and un- 
provided for. The circumstances of 
different-bodies of men require plans of 
Institutions for providing for sickness, 
&c. different from any Dee teralie ns to 
the public. Yeur correspondent W.) 
m number published ist June, page At4, 
mentions a society which, among others, 
rejects as members, ‘* sailors, plumbers, 
glaziers, and several other trades consi- 
ir 
themselves from being excluded frem a 
participation 
