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great national importance; if it be feparately connected with the peace and tranquillity of fociety; if the advantages which individuals fhare in the public welfare, are in proportion to their rank, property, and connections, or general influence, it is evident who ough to be the first to come forward upon fuch occafions.

"But it is not merely on account of the fuperior intereft they have in the public welfare, that perfons of high rank and great property, and fuch as occupy places of direction in the government, are bound to fupport meatures calculated to relieve the diftreffes of the poor; there is still another circumftance which renders it indifpenfably neceffary that they should take an active part in fuch meafures, and that is, the influence which their example muft have upon others. It behoves, therefore, all who enjoy fuch high privileges, to employ all the influence which their rank and fortune give them to promote the pub. lic good, and this may justly be confidered as a duty of a peculiar kind a perfonal fervice attached to the station they hold in fociety, and which cannot be commuted.

"But if the obligations which perfons of rank and property are ender to fupport measures defigned for the relief > of the poor, are so binding, how much more fo muft it be upon those who have taken upon themselves the facred office of public teachers of virtue and mɔrality; the minifters of a moft holy religion; a religion whofe first precepts inculcate charity and univerfal benevolence, and whose great object is un queftionably the peace, order, and happinefs of fociety.

"Another clafs of men, who from the ftation they hold in fociety, and their knowledge of the laws of the country, may be highly useful in carry. ing into effect fuch undertakings, are the civil magiftrates; and, however a committee for the government and direction of an establishment for the poor may, in other refpects, be compofed, I am clearly of opinion, that the chief magiftrate of the town or city where fuch establishment is formed, ought always to be one of its members. The clergyman of the place, who is highest in rank or dignity, ought likewife to be another; and if he be a bishop or archbishop, his affiftance is the more indif penfable. But as perfons who hold ofnces of great trua and importance in

the church, as well as under the civil government, may be fo much engaged in the duties of their ftations, as not to have fufficient leifure to attend to other matters; it may be neceffary, when fuch diftinguished perfons lend their affiftance in the management of an establishment for the relief of the poor, that each of them be permitted to bring with them a perfon of his own choice into the committee to afft him (or to act for him in his abfence). The bishop, for instance, may bring his chaplain; the magistrate, his clerk; the nobleman or private gen. tleman, his fon, or friend, &c."

Let us now fuppofe a number of perfons affembled of the defcriptions already mentioned, in a great town in England, with a view not to maintain their poor by voluntary fubfcriptions, but to apply the produce of the poor's rates to the establishment of a new in.

itution, which, by employing the poor, and providing for them in a much better manner than by the prefent parochial management, would diminish the poor's rates very confiderably in a few years after its establishment. The first reso, lutions of such a meeting would be, to unite a number of neighbouring parithes in the general plan; to obtain an account of the annual amount of the poor's rates in each parish; and, having the confent of the inhabitants of a certain number of parishes chargeable to the said rates, to apply to parliament to enable them to borrow a fufficient fum of money on the credit of these rates, for the purpose of creéting one general workhoufe or house of induitry, for the reception and employment of all the poor they would otherwife have been obliged to maintain at the charge of each parifh fepa rately.

The future inftitution, under 'the management of fuch refpectable characiers, would in a few years not only pay off the fum borrowed, but in the mean time operate a gradual diminution of the poor's rates, by the profits deriv ed from the induftry of the poor beneficially employed. And this appears to be the best plan for relieving the di ftreffes of the parochial poor, under the prefent circumstances of the nation. The experiment has been tried, and has perfectly fucceeded in different parts of the kingdom; but not being in poffeft fion at prefent of the documents which are requifite to ftate the particulars, we can only affure our readers, that if Count Rumford had made general en quiries

quiries upon the fubject, he would have found that many of the regulations he recommends for eftablishments by voluntary contributions are the ftanding rules and orders of our principal houfes of industry, fupported by legal taxes. Marybone and Kenfington work houfes, Gloucester, Northampton, Ipfwich, and Norwich Houses of Induftry, we believe, are conducted nearly on the fame principles, and answer all the beneficial purposes for which they were inftituted.

It is therefore from detached hints, obfervations, and advice, rather than from general fyftems and plans, that we muft feck for ufeful improvements in this Effay. The following obfervation, amongst others, merits the attention of thofe perfons to whom the care of the poor is entrusted.

"The great miftake which has been committed in moft of the attempts to introduce a fpirit of induftry where habits of idleness have prevailed, has been the too frequent ufe of coercive mea. fures. Force will not do it. It is addrefs which must be used on thofe occafions. The children in the houfe of induftry at Munich, who, being placed upon elevated feats round the halls where other children worked, were made to be idle fpe&tators of that amufing fcene, cried most bitterly when their request to be permitted to defcend from their feats and mix in that bufy crowd was refufed; but they would, moft probably, have cried ftill more, had they been taken abruptly from their play, and forced to work. Men are but children of a larger growth, and those who undertake to direct them ought ever to bear in mind that important truth." Harth treatment is a complaint we have too often heard of, and it is to be feared that the dread of this operates too much upon the minds of the vagrant poor, and prevents their making applications to be received into and employed in workhouses and houfes of industry; the greatest care fhould therefore be taken by the head managers of fuch inftitutions, not only to appoint humane perfoas to be mafters and miftreffes of the poor, but frequently to infpect their, conduct.

The fifth Chapter of this Effay, which treats of the means that may be used by individuals in affluent circumftances for the relief of the poor in their neighbourhood, we earnestly recommend to country gentlemen, wealthy

farmers, and to fingle ladies refiding in or near fmall country towns and villages: the latter being in general at a certain age piously and charitably difpofed, are apt to fall into the error here pointed at, and which they are inftructed to correc by a better employment of their benevolence.

"As nothing," fays our Author, "tends more powerfully to encourage idlenefs and immorality among the poor, and confequently to perpetuate all the evils to fociety which arile from the prevalence of poverty and mendicity, than injudicious diftributions of alms, individuals fhould be very cautious in beftowing their private charities, and in forming fchemes for giving afliftance to the diftreffed, otherwife they will moft certainly do more harm than good. The evil tendency of giving alms indifcriminately to beggars is univerfally acknowledged; but it is not, I believe, fo generally known how much harm is done by what are called the private charities of individuals. Far be it from me to wish to difcourage private charities: I am only anxious that they fhould be better applied. The moft certain and efficacicus relief that can be given to the poor is that which would be afforded them by forming a general establishment for giving them ufeful employ ment, and furnishing them with the neceffaries of life at a cheap rate."

For this purpofe he gives the neceffary directions for inftituting an Alylum. or School of Industry on a small scale in a single parish or village, and for ren dering it as extenfive as circumstances. will permit. And where feveral gentlemen refide in the neighbourhood of the fame town or village, they should all unite to form one establishment, instead of each forming a feparate one. The general principles and line of conduct for fuch afylums are fimilar to thofe contained in propofals drawn up at large for a moft extensive establishment for the city of London.

On the whole, we difcover one capi tal error in thefe Effays; a tedious re petition of the fame thing over and over again; fo that upon a moderate compu tation, if he proceeds in the fame man. ner through the ten Effays, nearly one third will be totally ufclefs. Indeed, it is extremely difficult to review what we' have already gone through, without being guilty of the fame fault, for which reafon we shall take no other notice of the articles of food and fuel occafionally

intro

introduced in this Effay, as they are fubjects of very great importance, and are to be feparately treated, than just to mention, that the third Effay, which is - wholly on food, and feeding the poor, appears to be fo interesting, and to contain fuch alterations and improvements for the advantage of our established cha

ritable inftitutions, that we shall make
it an article of fome extent in our next,
endeavouring in the mean time to obtain
fuch information refpe&ting the prefent
mode of feeding our poor, as may ena
ble us to form a comparative view of
both.
(To be continued in our next.)

The Hiflory and Antiquities of the City and Suburbs of Wercefter. By Valentine Green, F. A. S 2 vols. 410. Nicoll. IN the year 1764 Mr. Green published, in an octavo volume, a Survey of the City of Worcester, which he has now enlarged to two quarto volumes. Having no local knowledge of that city, we are una le to jud, e cf the accuracy of Mr. Green's Hiftory; and accuracy is the chief recommendation to works of this kind. In those parts, however, wherein we have more knowledge, we have obferved fome omiffions and negligences which are hardly pardonable in a work of fuch a price, and which has been fo log in hand. As an example, Mr. Green twice, in the course of his work, Vol. i. p. 148 and p. 210 has pofitively denied Dr. Gauden the credit of King Charles's Icon, and declares himself fatisfied that Mr. Wagstaff had Anally, by a multitude of unexceptionable teftimonies, proved beyond a poffibility of doubt, his Majesty's being the true author of the Icon, and put an end to the controverfy for ever. Before this conclufion is admitted, it is incumbent on Mr. Green to refer the reader to the evidence in favour of the Eihop's claim lately brought to light in the third volume of Lord Clarendon's Letters, one of which is printed in our Magazine for September 1786, p 158. Indeed, the filence of Lord Clarendon in Lis Hiftory, published fince Wagstaff's time, more than outweighs all the proofs there adduced. Again, in the account of Bishop Hurd, we are told that he was Preacher Affiftant at the Rolls Chapel with Bifhop Warburton, whereas neither of thefe Freiates were ever Preachers at the Rolls at a.

Agam, "Pinkford in Staffordshire has the diftinction of his birth; but we have feen fatisfactory evidence that he was born at Congreve in that county. Indeed, the whole of the accounts of the literary characfers connected with this See is imperfe&t and unfatisfactory, as in truth is the cafe with moft works of this kind. We have remarked other inftances. We are however inclined, in fpite of these flips, to think well of the Author's industry, and to recommend his work, on the whole, as containing both entertainment and inftruction.

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CONVERSATIONr, a Didactic Poem, in Thrte Parts. By William Cooke, Efq. 410. Ed. wards. 3s. 6d.

When we reflect that from Converfation

most of the pleafures and many of the infe→

Licities of lift are derived, we fee with fome

fati faction the rules and boundaries of this plecting fcience laid down and delineated in the prefent didactic poem, in a manner likely to afford both amufement and inftruction. It is difficult to embellish didactic regulations fubject now before us is but little fufceptible with the graces of postry; and perhaps the of fuch crnaments., Mr. Cocke, however, has on many cccafions introduced them with Hopriety and effect; and the Poem contains fo much good fenfe and obfervation on life and manners, that we can, without hefitaon, recommend it to the perufal of our rea ders, and more particularly to the younger part of them, who are about to enter on the great fcene of life.

Folio. Cadell and Davies. l. is.
Sorrows facred to the Memory of Penelope,

The greater part of the pieces in this elegant Colle&tion were written to relieve a mind overburthened with grief, and are collected as a frail monument defigned to withhold from the group of oblivion one loved, "not wifely, but too well." The author is Sir Brook Boothby, who here, in strains which will call forth correfponding feelings from minds fufceptible of melancholy impreffions, laments the lofs of his daughter fnatched from him at a very early period of life. A few other poems are added to fill up the volume, which is ornamented with beautiful prints, and comes from the prefs of Mr. Bulmer.

Two Sermons preached in the Cathedral Church of Landaff, and a Charge delivered to the Clergy of that Diocese in June 1795. By Richard Watfon, D.D. F.R.S. Lord Bifhop of Lan, daff. Svo. 1795. Evans.

In the first of thefe Sermons the Bishop very ably, from reafon and hiflory, refutes atheifm and infidelity, and in the fecond

proves

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Though we avow ourselves to be enemies to the Slave Trade, and wifh to fee its abolition, yet we cannot but acknowledge that Mr. Dundas's propofal of a gradual rather than an immediate abolition is entitled to mature and deliberate confideration, and perhaps adoption, left the object wished for fhould be defeated, and the most important interefts of the country and her colonies fhould be endangered. This Speech had

great weight on its delivery, and is faid to have influenced the determination of the question in the House of Commons, though the bill was fupported by the chiefs of those who are most diftinguished for eloquence, wifdom, and perfonal authority. An Advertifement prefixed informs us, that this copy of Mr. Dundas's Speech refts upon no higher authority than that of an attentive faithful reporter. We have reason, however, to believe it genuine.

A Short View of the Inconveniencies of War; with fame Obfervations on the Expediency of Peace. In a Letter to a Friend. 8vo. 1s. Jordan.

is not, however, by abject fears and debafing fubmiffions that this defirable state is to be procured. Our enemies are ferocious, and elated by fuccefs; a fuccefs procured as much by the apprehenfions of their opponents, which tend to protract the war, as by their own valour and ability. The prefent Author writes with decency and moderation. His pamphlet appears to have been compofed before the enormous claims of the French were known to the Publick; and, in a Poftfcript, he candidly acknowledges, that "fhould either of the belligerent parties so far forget their duty to their country as to refuse to listen to reafonable terms of accommodation; should fuch in truth have been fairly offered on one fide, and blindly refused on the other; should there be no profpect of negociation, whatever administration is in power, there remains but one part to purfue. No Briton, however averse from the origin of the war, could be fo degenerate as to submit to a dishonourable peace; nor could it ever possibly be intended to recommend fuch."

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The engraved Introduction to arithmetic mentioned in the title-page of this Work, has not fallen into our hands; we are, therefore, unable to pronounce decidedly on the prefent publication as a guide to arithmetical knowledge. As a collection of mifcellaneous information, we think it entitled to praise, and likely to be useful; though we apprehend Mr. Butler would, with more propriety, have omitted fome of his political examples, which to many perfons may give offence. The ele ments of learning fhould not be poisoned with party prejudices.

There are few perfons who are not aware of the inconveniencies of war, and fewer still who do not fee the expediency of peace. It THEATRICAL JUNE 6.

COVENT GARDEN Theatre closed.

11. THE HAYMARKET opened with Peeping Tom, The Liar, in which the two Palmers were reftored to this Theatre, and THE BANNIAN DAY, a Mufical Entertainment by Mr. George Brewer, Author of "How to be Happy," (See Vol. XXVI. p. 139) The characters as follow:

Captain Macgallaher, Mr. Johnstone;
Batch,
Mr. Fawcett;

VOL, XXX. JULY 1796.

JOURNAL.

Bobby Notice,
Jack Hawfer,

Sir George Goodwill,
Lieutenant Goodwill,

Servant, Bailiff,

Polly,

Mr. Suett;
Mr. Wathen;
Mr. Davies ;
Mr. Trueman;
Mr. Waldron, jun.
Mr. Ledger 3

Mrs. Bland;

Mrs. Goodwill,

Mifs Leak;

Maid Servant,

Mrs. Jones,

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This is one of those productions which depend entirely on the actors, and from the fupport it received from Meffrs. Johnstone and Fawcet it derives its whole fuccefs. The hero of the P.ece is a naval gentleman, who, from marrying without his father's approbation, is cast off by him. The diftrefs in which he is involved in confequence gives rife to the title of the piece, which is a fea term for a day when no meat is served to a ship's company. Of plot there is none; and, except the talkative baker, no attempt at novelty of character. It has fome tolerable mufick by Dr Arnold and was received with as much applaufe as could be expected from fuch a performance.

15. Drury Lane closed.

22. THE MAGIC BANNER; or, Two WIVES IN A HOUSE; a Play, by Mr. O'Keefe, was acted the first time at the Haymarket. This was a new attempt to bring the great legislative hero of this country Alfred again on the stage. Several well known incidents are introduced, as that of his neglecting the cottager's cake; the story of Sir Philip Sidney refigning the cup to the fainting foldier, and Alfred's going to the enemy's camp as a harper. It was, however, by no means fuccefsful, being in truth nothing but a heap of extravagant and abfurd circumftances jumbled together without order or meaning. It was performed three nights. Previous to it the following Prologue, writ. ten by Mr. Taylor, was fpoken by Mr.

Charles Kemble :

THE Poet of to-night fo long has play'd, In wild luxuriance, with the Comic Maid, Well may he dread to roufe the Critic's ire, If to heroic heights he dare afpire. What! he who sketched the follies of Bory

kit. And rifled Lilly's ftores for Lingo's wit, Urge his bold courfe along th' hiftoric way, And awful ALFRED'S godlike worth pourtray!

That fcepter'd Sage, in fimple garb, we know,

Lurk'd in the lines, to watch his Country's Foe;

But shall our Wag, with frolic licence, come, And make the Patriot Prince a Peeping Tom 7 No-gen'rous Britons, chafe the needlefs fear

He, like yourselves, can Azrazo's fame revere ;

Nor think with wanton levity be draws
The glorious Founder of our matchiefs Laws,

But if, in roving mood, our Bard fhould Some cafual incidents of sportive kind, find Let him to raise a harmless fmile essay— No leaf is injured of the Hero's Bay ; That honour'd Wreath, till Nature's general doom,

Shall rear its foliage in perennial bloom.

Nor you, fell Critics, look with threat'ning mien,

Because our Bard on nooler tracks is feen:

If he with lofty Pegasus should prance, Like Sancho, rais'd to regions of Romance, He will but peep upon th` etherial Plain, And foon on humble Dapple trot again.

25. Mr. Ellifton, from the Bath Theatre, appeared the first time in London at the Hay

market in the character of Octavian in The

Mountaineers, and Vapour in My Grandmother, and was received with great and deferved applaufe in both. Confidering his youth and inexperience, and that he was a Stranger to a London audience, his performance exhibited marks of genius from which much may be expected hereafter. Throughout the reprefentation he difplayed a possesfion of mind fully equal to the task he had undertaken, and preferved the firm and ndaunted fpirit and dignity of the character when in a manner absent from himself. His perfon is good, and his expreffion of the paffions forcible and varied. Few drawbacks were discoverable which practice and experience will not amend, and on the whole we have not feen fo much promife of future entertainment for many years.

POETRY.

EPISTLE, IN ANSWER TO A LADY Who addreffed fome very elegant Verfes to EDWIN, jun. figned A Young WIDOW, in the EUROPEAN MAGAZINZ of February

laft.

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The beauteous theme allur'd my steps to

ftray,

And led them far on Love's enchanting way.

Forgive! if rous'd by Youth's impetuous fire,
Ambition bad my thoughts to thee afpire;
Unaw'd by Fear, undifciplin'd by Art,
I boldly afk'd the treasure of thy heart;
A heart, which might the world well loft
fupply,

And crown Life's tranfient day with extacy.
And

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