BREAD FOR The POOR: OR, A METHOD showing How the Poor may be Maintained, and duly Provided for, in a far more Plentiful, and yet Cheaper manner than now they are, without Waste or Want.  Fac modo quod teneam, fine solicitudine Victim jam contentus ero. Mantuan. 
EXETER, Printed by Samuel Darker; for Charles Yeo, John pierce, and Philip Bishop. 1698.   

The Contents.  
THAT the Poor Rates of Devon, in a moderate Computation, and as some,( it may be as most) Parishes Pay consequently unto 38991 l. 13 s. 5 d. appears by the proportion under mentioned, viz. by observing what one Parish pays, where the Assessments to the Poor are moderate, and not in proportion beyond other Parishes, and how much the Charge of the Poor comes to in the Country, in proportion with that Parish, being Computed, as several Taxes were Risen and proportioned in the reign of King Charles 2 d. which is in the County 30000 l. per Annum more than they were 50 or 60 Years since, and still advance as fast as ever.  
That what the Poor Receive by Begging, together with what they and others of the meanner sort, might get in the time they now spend idly or worse, comes to another such, or rather a greater Sum.  
How an Equivolent with a Work House, may be had in every Parish, without the Charge of Building or Renting of a House. And howan Equivolant with a Stock, may be also had in every Parish for employing all the Poor, without Charge in Raising, hazard in entrusting or Managery,  
How without the help of a new Law, the Poor in Devon, may be all provided for and Maintained in their respective Parishes in a far better and plentifuller manner than now they are, without Begging, and for 30000 l. per Annum less in Poor Rates.   l. s. d. Winckley Parish 130 6 8 Winckley Hundred 162 18 4 Sub-Division 4115 15 9 North Grand D. 12347 7 3 3. Grand D. 37042 1 9 20 Part on South 01949 11 8 Devon 38991 13 5 Proportionably.   

TO THE Right Worshipful His Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Devon.  
THE great complaint of the Poor,( the greater of the those that Maintain them) their constant increase, and the multitudes of beggars and idle Vagabonds, to the great abuse of the Laws and Scandal of the Country, are Causes sufficient to excuse an Essay, in order to a Remedy, being the Duty of Parochal Officers. And the slender attempts of some of great Parts and Quality, is not so much a Discouragement, as Grounds for a more vigorous Onset, their Qualities for the most Part being too great, and their Notions too high, for so low a Subject.  
Our Chronicles tell us, that about 800 Years since, when after a long War, the Country abounded with Thiefs and Robbers, and other idle and disorderly Persons. By King Alfreds dividing the Kingdom into Shires, Hundreds and tithings, a Boy or Girl, might openly travail with a Bag of Gold and Silver, and carry it safely all the Country over. If neglect, or the length of time have attracted some Rust on the Officers of tithings and Parishes, Yet there are many Laws made since that time, which if duly put in Execution, would soon rub it off, and whilst the first Institution of one of them, had such good effects, their Information would have much better, seeing 'tis easier to Improve than Invent.  
Many who seem Well-wishers to an attempt for the better employing and Relieving the Poor, say there must be a Stock, a large House, &c. And withall do not forget to add, that the Stock as well as House, require a great Charge in Raising, hazard and care in entrusting and Managing, and thence conclude they will abide by the harm they have, and not leap from the Frying-Pan to the Fire. Indeed, were those Affairs duly Considered, a good Stock might be well employed that way; and yet I must crave leave to observe, That a bundle of Cords is not so soon broken as one, nor a disorderly Crew, when brought together, so easily Reformed as when singled out and separated from contagious Company.  
In some places, a public Stock seems so necessary, that a fit Provision for the Poor cannot be made. But in Devon, and many other Countries, there are tradesman in or near every Parish, who have Stocks already, whereon they employ all that are willing to Work, and can, and would, for their own as well as the public interest, employ more, if more orderly Persons might be had. Therefore here is no great need of more Stocks, but of reforming the loser sort, so as to make them honestly industrious, and how that may be done by legal Discipline, without Arbitrary Severity, is the design of this Paper, which is humbly submitted to your Consideration and Correction, by the unworthiest of your Servants.  
Jan. 27. 1697/ 8. R. D.   

Bread for the Poor, &c.  
Whosoever takes the small trouble of Inspecting the Poor Accounts of a few Parishes, may soon observe, That the Charge of maintaining them in some places, is within sixty Years last advanced from forty Shillings to forty pounds yearly; in others twice that sum, and mostwheres double, within twenty Years last, and like to double again in a short time: The Poor Rates of this County of Devon now amounting to 38991 l. 13 sh. and 5 pence per annum, at the proportion that many Parishes pay; and notwithstanding such Advance in maintaining the Poor, yet the Wages they receive is greater than formerly; Work more plentiful, and Provisions cheaper.  

Where there is an Effect there is a Cause.  
AS the Effect is certain and visible, in the excessive Charge of Maintaining the Poor; so that there is a Cause producing such Effect is as certain: Now what such Cause, or Causes are, how they may be prevented with a due Provision made for the Poor, as the Law directs, and with less Charge to the Country; is next to be considered.  

First Cause is, Profuseness in Diet.  
'tis generally observed, That not only more Ale and Brandy is sold than formerly in single Ale houses, and Brandy-shops; but the number of such Houses and Shops are also increased, that the Money spent in Ale and Brandy, in small Country-shops and Ale-houses, amounts to a vast, and almost incredible sum, did not their Payments for Excise manifest it, Tha a very small and inconsiderable part thereof is spent by Gent. or Travellers, or House-keepers, that pay Rates to the King and Poor, that such as are maintained by Parish-pay, seldom drink any other than the strongest Ale-house Beer, which at the Rate they buy it, cost 50 Shillings, or 3 l. a Hogshead; that they seldom eat any Bread, save what is made of the finest Wheat-flower, sold by common Bakers.   

Second Cause is, Idleness.  
Persons once receiving Parish-pay, presently become idle, alleging the Parish is bound to maintain them; and that in case they should work, 'twould only favour a Parish from whom they say they shall have no thanks: And not only themselves, but the Family to whom they belong, presently become idle too, finding that Parish pay, with the help of their Clamour, their imposing on the Ignorance of some Officers, deceiving the Charity of others, and their threatening the timorous sort with Warrants from Persons in Authority; a work of less trouble, and more profit than daily Labour.   

Third Cause is, Giving excessive Pay.  
The Giving excessive Pay to the Poor, hath greatly occasioned their extravagant expenses, and occasioned Idleness in them, and discouraged Industry in others: The Allowance commonly given to Persons maintained by a Parish, being three times as much as an honest Labourer, who with his Wife maintains three Children can afford to do; which many hundreds in the County do, and that in a decent manner; as may appear by the proportion next mentioned.   

The Common Outgoing of a Day-labourer in Husbandry computed.  
As 'tis not strange to see Labourers to have four or five Children a-piece, which they maintain by their Labour; so 'tis common to see many maintain three Children a-piece in a decent manner: Now admitting the Wife maitains her self, and one Child, which is the most a Woman can, and what few will do; what is needful to maintain himself, and two Children, the Husband must bear, he must pay House-rent; which in 20 shall. yearly, is weekly— Upwards of 4d. 0. He must buy wood, which cannot well be less than 3 0. His own clothes in 20 sh. yearly, costs weekly above 4 ob. His Sunday's diet 2 d.& Working-tools weekly 1 d. 3 0. There remains of his Week's wages to maintain 2 Child. meat and drink, clothes, wash. attend. &c. 1 s. 2 d. Scarce above 1 d. a day for each Child; so weekly Both cost 2 5   

His Wages, or Income.  
Herein loss of Work thro' bad Weather, holidays, &c. are not computed.  
The charge of maintaining a young Child, and of an Infirm Person  
Unable to labour, being near the same.  
His full Wages in some parts of the County, is weekly 2s. 6d. in others 2s. 8d. in some places less; and where more is paid, House rent and wood are dearer.   

Fourth Cause of the chargeableness of the Poor.  
Several of the Poor have ordinarily one House a-piece, entirely to themselves; which would conveniently serve three or four of them, and the same Fire, Candle-light, and Attendance that now serves but one, might serve three, or four; and in many particulars, they might assist, help, and comfort one another; only their Unwillingness, to have their Idleness, Filching, and Profuseness in Diet discovered, makes them extreme averse against such Cohabiting.    

Remedies in pursuance of the Law, to prevent such excessive Charges.  
For Remedy whereof, it may be agreed, That the Church-wardens, and Overseers of the Poor, do as the Law in this case directs; meet at a certain time and place, once every Month, to consult on fit ways for employing, and Relieving the Poor, and how the same may be done; that the necessities of the Poor may be supplied, and so limited; that they may neither spend their time idly that can labour, nor Money profusely.  

First Remedy, against Profuseness in Diet.  
In order thereunto, it may be agreed, not to pay them in Money, that such Poor as cannot contribute towards their maintenance by their Labour, be provided for in House-rent, Meat, Drink, clothes, and all other Necessaries; that their clothes be all of one and the same Colour, viz. Blue, Green, White, or other fit Colour, distinct from others, with a Badge on their upper Garment, and of a distinct Colour from their clothes; that their Dwellings be all in Town, that they may go to Church, and their Needs the better known unto, and supplied by the Officers; that their Daily Allowances be limited, as to quantity, quality, weight, and measure; with due respect had to their Ages, Sexes, and other circumstances; and daily, and every Meal delivered, and not weekly, nor in gross, least they sell it.  
That a person be agreed with to provide, and deliver the same by a sealed Brass-weight, and by a Brass-measure: That each person that is able, do attend, and come for the same at a certain time, and place appointed, bringing a Dish and Spoon provided by the Parish, and marked with the Parish-mark; the Dish to contain— and the like provisions be sent for by, or sent unto such, as cannot come to fetch it: that the person principally concerned in the Managery hereof, be often amongst them, to restrain their mutinous and indecent Discourses, and to set some Exemplary Distinction on Offenders, by making them to take, and eat their Allowance without doors, when the Weather will permit, or other ways: And also such Manager to take part, and eat amongst them, to prevent their causeless railing, and to see that the Provisions be every way fit for them, &c.  
That such as have most need, be daily provided for, and others that have less, two or three days; or two or three Meals in a Week; that a Bill of Fare be agreed on, what each person is to have on each day, and at what hours; and by like Agreement altered, as occasion shall be. The several prices agreed for, and the Accounts between such Officer and Provider, balanced once in a fortnight: this Method not much differing from the ancient, and present commendable practise.  
In colleges, Great Mens Houses, Hospitals, Ships at Sea, Soldiers in Camps, and other the most Civilized and best Governed Societies, an Omer for a day.   

Second Remedy against Idleness.  
That due care be taken to employ all such, as by their Labour can contribute towards their maintenance: How a House, or an Equivalent with a Work-house, may be had in every Parish, without the charge of Building, or Renting; how a Stock, or an Equivalent with a stock may be had for employing them, with an inconsiderable charge, and without the common charge of Raising, hazard of entrusting, and care of managing a Stock, is briefly demonstrated; in a Method perused, and allowed of by the Justices of the Peace, in their General Sessions for the County of Devon, and since printed; whereof more hereafter.   

Third Remedy against Excessive pay.  
That their Allowance in quantity, kind, and value, be proportioned to what such Frugal and Industrious Persons as are maintained by their Labour, and have Families to provide for, can, and ordinarily do, afford themselves and Families.   

Fourth Remedy.  
Against keeping a single House-fire and Candle-light for one person, which might without any annoyance, serve three or four( for that must be avoided) is before mentioned.  
If an Overseer of a Family should allot out, and deliver a Months provision at once to his Servants, 'tis strange if there be not much wast, and want too, in his House before the Month is over; and being laughed at for his folly, would by such way of Managery, leave a short Inventory to his Executor: Every person concerned in Trusts, either in Offices for the public or for particular persons, is by the obligation of Justice, Reason, and common Honesty, obliged to use at least as much care, prudence, and integrity in matters wherein he is entrusted, as in his own proper concerns: And it is folly in an Overseer of a Family, not to make daily provision, and is it not much more so in an Overseer of a Parish, who hath neither so charitable opinion, nor so easy an oversight, of those whom he is to oversee, as an Overseer of one Family hath?  
Besides, many Men receive Relieve in respect of their Wives and Children, and having got the Money, soon spend it; leaving such their Families to their choice, either to beg for their own Relief, or starve; who dare not to complain, and would be as well without Parish pay, as such having and never the near: whereas were their Parish Allowance daily in such manner as is herein proposed, they would then have their daily Bread, and every day an Omer.    

Having met with some Objections I shall Insert such as are most material, and endeavour to Answer them.  

I. Objection.  
Whether the usual way of paying the poor in Money may be altered.   

I. Answer.  
When Overseers sell their own Goods, the Justice, have often for manifest reasons disallowed it, otherwise they approve well of it.  
II. Some poor, as young Children, idiots &c. are not to employ Money, and therefore 'tis both reasonable and necessary to provide for them, some other way.   

II. Objection.  
Is, That the providing of Diet, is both chargeable and troublesone.   

Answer.  
Each person being limited what to have, and at what times; and the prices of each particular agreed for; the trouble cannot be great, admitting that the keeper of a small Ale-House is employed and Assigned, to deliver each person his Allowance daily, by a 11 of the Clock; who are come for it accordingly; he hath his order as to kinds, and his Weights and Measures ready for quantities, and the Poor have theirs; so Twenty may be dispatched in a quarter of an hour, with almost as small a trouble, as the drawing Twenty pots of Ale, and is it not less trouble to make one Fire than Twenty, one going to Mill, Market, &c. than Twenty; one of the Poor may do it, being assigned necessaries for that purpose.   

III. Objection.  
whilst many poor Inhabit in the ●everal parts of the Country Par●shes, how can such have their Diet in one place.   

Answer.  
As many as live in or near the Church Town, or other like Village, may conveniently come at one place; such as are in remote places, and are not too Old to be removed, are too Old to be Reformed by this Method, for Old Age is incurable; yet the persons not like to be durable: As to such as may be removed, the Remedy is plain. Only, it may be considered that in case their fear of being removed, will have as good or better effects than the doing it,( as fear hath often better effects than punishments) their removal may be rather threatened than effected.  
Besides the greater number of the Poor have only some small Contributions, to wards their maintenance, as Six pence or Eight pence per Week: Now such may have so much in Value of such household-bread, as the day Laborours and poor House keepers, use in their Houses; and may daily about Twelve of the Clock, fetch so much as is allowed for one day, and no more; at some small distance, in case they they can come for it themselves; this way of fetching it will restrain them from being Vagabonds and begging their Bread; for its against their Principles to Beg near their own dwelling places, and they cannot go far abroad without loseing such their Parish allowance.   

Advantages in providing Diet for the Poor.  
I. Whereas the Poor are in some places paid once in a Fortnight, in some once a Month: seldom one of them hath one Penny left next day after receiving, so are forced to live on the Credit of the next pay day, and to Buy dear' and lose much in fetching. But by this means, they are sure of a Competency every day, without loss of time, delay or hindrance, which are in truth considerable.  
II. They will he restrained from Begging, for none will give to them who are known to have their daily Commons provided at home. And they cannot go far abroad without the hazard of losing their Parish allowance at home, for not coming for it in season.  
III. As 'twill be almost impossible that the poor should want, having such daily allowance, so 'tis as sure they cannot wast much; Small-Beer, and such plain and wholesome provision as the Parish Officers are most likely to allow them, being Cheaper, as well as wholesomer, then the Brandy, Strong-Ale and other like fare they commonly allow themselves. And in case they are allowed a competency to carry home or to eat their fill, and carry off none, they cannot justly complain; the great complaint will be, from the good Ale-Wifes, who will be forced to leave their Trade, when their best Customers must leave them.  
IV. The general Antipathy the Poor have against accepting relief this way, exceedingly contributes to the promoting its Design, their calling theirs the Goal-Crock, Bridewell-Crock, Parish-Crock, Goal-Pottage, Parish-Pottage, with like Reproaches on the Place and Fare; will make many resolve to live without it; and others as Industrious to avoid it.  
V. Tho such Aspersing Terms are to be connived at, whilst they only make it less fanciful to themselves: Yet if by such Reproaches they draw an Odium on the employment of providing their provisions, by making it more difficult, or Chargeable to get a Victular; Then there is need of By Laws fitted for this economy, to restrain their raillery.  
As whoever complains his fare is not good; or not well cooked and if upon an Inspection by one Housekeeper chosen by the conmplainer, and another by the Victular, it appear to be well; or if they Reproach any of the Overseers, or payers of the Poor; then such offender for Five or Six days, or until a formal Submision be made, to have no Butter to his Bread, or no Bread to his broth, or wear the Badge a Month or other like punishment, for this or other like Offence, tending to the hindrance or charge of this domestic Government.   

As for the Badges, amongst other things, those or the like, may be Observed.  
That whosoever Receives Parish pay, or any Contribution, is to expect to wear the Badge, that so the fear thereof may keep them Submisive and orderly, but the putting it on defaced, as to such as are of civil demeanour, and whose poverty hath hot been occasioned by Idleness, profuseness, or other ill means, Sick persons, Children, and such whose Age or Infirmities keep them within Doors.   

Those not to be exempted from wearing the Badge, viz.  
Persons of such weak Capacities as that they are accounted Fools, not as a punishment to them, but to please their Fancy with a fine new thing, all Fools being pleased with such, and so to make it less fanciful to others.  
Next, whoever is guilty of Begging, and is not necessitated thereunto, Complainers to persons in Authority for more Relief, if on hearing, it appear they had no cause of Complainr, Abusers of the Parish Officers, or payers, or persons concerned in providing their provisions, and such as do not submissively and thankfully accept their parish allowance.   

Objection.  
Another Objection is, why some should wear the Badges, and others none?   

Answer.  
To give the Poor a Direct Answer to this Question, is to allow them a Right of Examining: If an Apprentice ask his Master why he must wear Cloath and his Fellow Apprentice serge, or why his clothes differ in Colour or Fashion from his Fellow Apprentice; or if a Groom or Foot-Boy, ask his Master, why his Livery is read, and not Blew, or differing in Colour, Cloath or Fashion, from other Grooms or Foot-Boys? a Master will scarce Answer such a Question, unless it be with a Cudgel, and thereby teach such a saucy Searvant, more Gratitude, and better Manners. And if a Master, or Overseer of one Family, have such an independent Right, in the Paternal and domestic Government thereof, shall a Master or Overseer of many Famelies ( for so an Overseer of the Poor is) have less Power, or not assert it? Such an Examiner should wear the Badge a Month the longer, and know it for a Maxim, That beggars must not be choosers. And that those that have spent their own Stock as well as time profusely, without any restraint, must not so dispose of others.   

Another Objection  
Is the Obstinacy and Averseness of many of the parishioners and Payers to the Poor against this Method, as some will be sure to be.   

Answer.  
It is observed in the Preface to the Liturgy of the Church, that never any thing was so composed as to escape the reach of Clamour and Exception; much less can this, for those Clamourers, tho they see with their own Eyes, that by this means, the Poor have a constant daily and certain fit provision, and that 'tis Morally almost Naturally impossible, that they should want; to which they were always exposed in the common way of Relief. And withal know and see, that the obstinate averseness of the Poor to receive Relief, this way, makes them both Thrifty and Industrious, so as to provide before hand, and Maintain themselves without it. Yet still some who are concerned in Reason and Interest to promote a Method of this Nature, will be prattling against it, and oppose it to the utmost, and will join with the Insolence of the Poor, and rather than hinder, will led and encourage, them in their Aspersions of it, and Clamours against it.  
Now it may be said, what shall be done as to such Opposers?   

Answer.  
Sure at the long-run, they deserve a formal thanks, for if I am an Overseer, or Provider for the Poor, and invite and make a fit provision for them, and by means of such Clamours and Aspersions my Guests are kept away, I may by such means have the less Company, but the more cheer, or be at the less Charge in providing.  
And indeed, nothing Contributes more to the carrying on this Method, so as to make the Poor Industrious, in Order to maintain themselves to live Thriftily, and to provide for Old-Age and Sickness. I say, nothing more promotes such its design, than such Opposers of it, and Clamours against it; For, tho they seem to stop the Currant, unless their groundless Clamour have in it more Power to hinder, than the Laws and the Authority of Justices of the Peace, and Overseers of the Poor Commissionated by the Law, and Acting according to Law, have to promote it, which may well be reckoned a Moral Impossibility, the Stream will break out and run the Swifter. No Arguments, how Specious soever, will Convince some, and whilst Experience is the common baffler of Speculations, their obstinacy, or uncompliableness may meet with the more Candid Construction. I shall therefore, for their satisfaction, give one instance; the Parishes of Sampford, C. and W. being both large and near each other, usually for many Years together, paid a like number of Rates; in the Parish of S. the Method hereby proposed was practised Two Years, and for avoiding Clamour,( which every thing that is called new, tho as old as Moses, is apt to produce) the Poor were in a more Plentiful manner than formerly provided for in clothes; and in case any of them said, that their allowance in Diet were not enough in quantity, they had then their fill; if any misliked in quality, then the Complainer was to call a fit House-keeper to determine it, which if he or she refused to call, was then at that time sent away without, as a just punishment for his or her Muttering and Ingratitude. In the last of the Two Years, there was this difference, in the Parish of W. where this method was not used, were paid full 23 Rates, and yet often Complaints made to the Justices for more. But in S. where this Method was used, not full a 11 Rates and a half, and no such Complaints made as in W. And had I observed the payments of the Poor in other Neighbouring Parishes wherein I was unconcerned, might probably have found them as much differing and advanced in proportion above S. as I saw W. to be, and had this Method continued on in S. one Year longer, ( which wanted not the encouragement of the Justices of the Peace and of the principle payers) would, as was reasonably believed, have reduced them to 8 Rates, and in a few Years after to Two.   

Another Objection  
Is, that the former Method for employing the most ungovernable of the Poor is defective, such as are Bailiffs, Tinkers, and other daring insolent Poor, for in Country Parishes, there are no public Work Houses, and Private Men will not employ such, who if alone will spoil their Work, and if with others, will spoil their Work and Company too, and an honest Country House keeper will as soon admit into his House one that is Infected with the Plague as such a resolute disorderly Wretch.   

Answer.  
A crooked Knife must have a crooked sheathe, and such an ill humoured Workman should have as untoward Work assigned him by the Overseers, which may be to carry Water in Buckets from the lower end of some Country Village Two or Three Hundred paces, or more and therewith to fill a Vessel in the High-way, which done, to overturn it in the way so often as filled, and so to continue till he shows a willingness to get himself Work, and in the mean time to have only some slender allowance in Diet, and in case of refusal or neglect, sent to the bridewell, as the Statute of 43. Eliz. in this Case directs; such a Workman so employed, will be sure of Overseers enough to observe his demeanour, and tho he be accounted shameless, will be soon ashamed and weary of such Work, and get himself a Master, or be Mastered in Bridewell, as is before mentioned, as often as he refuseth or neglecteth such his Work.  
The Work-House in the City of Exeter, is said by some constantly to employ above 100 Persons, by others it's said, that not 6. are constantly employed therein, now both those seeming Contradictions are true.  
It must, by the way, be considered, which is too well known, that in every Town, how well Traded soever, many tradesman are out of Work, and destitute of employment, not for that the Trade or Place doth not afford employments sufficient, but that such destitute Persons, have brought themselves out of Credit and Work either by their Sottish, Careless, Surly or other ill demeanour. And such being numerous, and some of them having Families to provide for, would, as such are apt to do, complain to the Magistrates for Work, or rather for relief from the Overseers; then to maintain them Idle was a great Charge, to promise them Work a great difficulty: Those that knew them not would not employ them, because Strangers; those that knew them, knew them too well to trust their Trade and Stock in their hands, yer maintained they must, yea, will be. This inevitably drew on a great charge; And yet their Mutinies a greater danger. But since the setting up this Work-house, whereof the governor is ready provided to employ all that come, the Magistrates are not now at a loss how to answer such Complaints; but assign them to the Master of the Work-house for employments. And now those careless, surly Sots find themselves at a loss, they must either humour or comply with the Trad-smen, that have Stocks, and serve them, or Work in the Common Work-house, and submit to that Government, which tho no Prison is in common acceptation near a kin to a bridewell, being reduced to this Dilemna: They will choose the first, and rather comply with a Master of their own choosing than of the Mayors, by this means it comes to pass that the Work-house which doth not actually employ Six persons in it, doth yet virtually and effectually employ above One Hundred; such a Work-house seems not attainable in Country Parishes. But that which is equally Advantageous, and may be called an Equivalent, may be had in all places, with this differrence, that the City Work-house requires a Stock and Sa●lery; in the Stock there is a Charge raising, and hazard in entrusting. But in this Equivalent there is no such Charge or hazard, for Men in Husbandry in the Country, by giving them Lists, to Work round a Parish, and others of Trades, to agree with a Tradesman, to employ them in Weaving Combing, spinning, and to assign them to Work accordingly: And withal, to order them to give a Weekly, or other constant account at the Pay-Board, that they do Work accordingly, or are otherways daily employed, in some honest Labour, is every way as advantageous. For, those that are so employed, and the Wages not being great, can be no damage to the Imployer of them; and the general averseness and abhorence of the Poor, to go about with Lists, and and desire Work, and Work according to such Appointments, and to give a constant account thereof, is altogether as effectual as a City Work-house, to make such Persons to get Work for themselves, and their Wages not being too large, the Imployers of them will be sure to be at no Loss, and the willinger to employ them. And in case any Men in Trades, or Women in spinning, spoil, detain or imbezzel, any of the Wool or Ya●ne delivered unto them, the Owner, by making Application to the Two next Justices, ( an easy Remedy) will get them to be publicly whipped, as the Sta●. 7. Jac. 7. doth direct, which they will prevent by making him Satisfaction. But having formerly Written more fully on this Particular, with Presidents for all Proceedings relating thereunto, forbear herein to Repeat the same.   

Objection.  
Another Objection is, that this Method will lessen the Excise.   

Answer.  
This is indeed an exception of some Moment for admitting such to be Poor, and like to be chargeable to Parishes, as by the common Construction of the Law, especially of an Act of Parliament made 14. Car. 2. chap. 12 Are so adjudged. And that the Badge, how easy soever, and the Parish-Pot, how fat soever, will be accounted Punishments, and no small ones, and will scar them from idle expenses, which may reasonably be presumed, and by experience hath appeared. And that those Persons are the Country Ale-Wives best and almost only Customers, it's Necessary to Consider, what or how much such loss may be.  
As for the purpose, In case I spend 1 s. in an Ale-House, what are the Consequents thereof to me or the public. As to myself, I have not only 1 s. the less, for which I am no way the better, But have in spending thereof spent so much time, as had it been employed in my Husbandry or Profession, would have gained me at least 3 d. and the public some way or other advantaged by my Labour. Now that is lost as well as 15 d. in Money and time; on the other hand, the advantage thereby to the public cannot be more than the Excise, which at most is not above 3 d. Then must the destroying my Health, which Incapacitates me to serve the public, the wasting my time, wherein I should have served the public, the beggaring myself and Family, and many other public as well as private Mischiefs, occasioned by Sottishness, must these be countenanced, or at least connived at, for my being thus an advancer of the Excise, in so small a matter comparatively to the public, and my particular loss thereby, whereas had I kept to my proper Profession, I might have been as able, and as easily could have contributed as many 15 pences in ready Money to a public Revenue, as now I do 3 d. in Excise by drinking of Ale. Were it not much better that His Majestys Proclamation, and the Laws for suppressing Debauchery, and Profaneness were duly put in execution, that so the Streams of Justice might cleanse those Augean Stalls, we should then seek the Peopling, as now the depopulating of our Neighbours, and English Men would then compute their Wealth, and Substance like the patriarches of Old, and foreigners at present, in the Number of their Servants and largeness of their Familys. Tis indeed conceived by some that the great increase of the Poor, is occasioned by other means than those herein mentioned.   

I. Objection.  
Is, That the number of the People is generally increased, and that the number of the Poor, are so too. Which may receive this Answer.  
Admitting they are increased, yet doubtless, People increased in former Ages, as well as of late; and in other Countries, where are no Poor Rates, as well as in England where there are; yet in truth the number of People, save in Trading-Places, is little or not at all increased; and that in such Places of Trade, the Ways of maintaining the Poor is much more increased: And whilst the Wealth, as well as Strength of other Nations; consist in the Number of their People, why should we value ourselves, or one another, at a Lower Rate than mere Americans? As the Glory of a King consists in the number of His People, so doth the Welfare of the People too.  
Another Imagination, of the great increase of Poor Rates, is the Dissolution of abbeys, Monasteries, and other Religious Houses; and 'tis withal affirmed, that Poor Rates began not till then. But the Error of this Imagination is easily discovered; For, there were Laws made for providing for the Poor, long before that Time, as 23. of Edw. 3. chap. ult. 34. Edw. 3. chap. 1.7. Rich. 2. chap. 7.12. Rich. 2. chap. 5.11. Hen. 7. chap. 2.19. Hen. 7.12. and about 5. or 6. Statutes of K. Hen. 8. And some of them Ordered Parish Officers and Rates, and tho the Payment was not Obligatory, as now, yet possibly in those Times as effectual.  
2. If the abbeys, &c. were Dissolved, yet the Lands still remained, and the Husbanding and Manuring of them employed as many hands,( the best way of Relieving the Poor) and might Feed as many Mouths, when in Laymens hands as in Churchmens. And if, as some Conceive, such places were by their abuse made Nurseries of Idleness, and the dependence of many Idle Persons, such Idleness Contributed to the increase of the Poor, and such Dependence concerned only some few, in Comparison of the Poor of the Kingdom in general.  
3. In Case the generality of the Poor of the Kingdom, had Depended on the Charity of those Religious Places for their subsistence, Then the great want would immediately have ensued on their Dissolution; and the Government would have been concerned to procure a speedy Remedy. But the Statute now in Force, and the only Compulsory Law that hath been for payment of Poor Rates, was above 60 Years after abbeys, &c. being Dissolved, chiefly by Two Laws made, one in 27. Hen. 8. 1537. another in 1540. and the Law for Poor Rates, 43. Eliz. in 1601. And then tho all Parishes were enabled to make Rates, and Owners of Estates obliged to the Payment; yet in many Places, no such Rates were made, in 20, 30. or 40. Years after, and when they were First made, and in many Years after, the Money so Risen was inconsiderable to the present Charge.  
But that which more than Answers all this Exception, is, that whereas our wool in former Ages was almost all Transported and Wrought up in foreign Parts, now for the most part Wrought at Home, so that to say nothing of other Countrys, the Searges Sold in Exeter Market, afford a greater Benefit and subsistence to the Poor, then all the monasteries and Religious Houses in the Kingdom did in former Ages.   

Another Objection.  
Is, That whosoever shall vigorously set on this, or other like Method, shall find he hath stirred a Hornets Nest. The Ale-Wives, Brandy-Sellers. Hugsters and Regraters, and such who by thei● small Pennards, and worse Weights and Measures, grace and regrate on the Poor, with others who Clamour merely for Clamours sake; will be all alarmed, and whilst the real Grounds of their Clomour, is too Scandalous to be insisted on; will pretend that their Frenzy ( which they call zeal) is on the Poors behalf, whom they in truth regard as Flies do the Sores of a gauled Horse, Dulcis odour lucri ex re qualibet; but their fury seems to afford an Argument for a vigorous going on, rather than a hindrance, for if the cause w●re not good, such Ill Persons would not oppose it.  
2. If they show such Zeal for promoting their selfish, Scandalous, petty Gains; shall a person whose designs are Just, and truly plausible, and for the general good of his Country, show less Zeal therein, then such Scandalous Wretches do in their selfish designs? Did ever a Traveller in the midst of his Journey return back, only because the Dogs barked at him: And shall the Rude Noise and Impertinent Clamour, of such Excrement of Humanity,( who exclude themselves from being Beneficial Members of the public, by withdrawing their Assistance from Contributing to its Welfare) obstruct or cool an honest Courage and well fixed Zeal, in a matter of so great a Concern? Shall Laws and Officers be neglected, the Sacred Obligations of Oaths and Trusts be violated, the public Welfare be Disregarded, and all other Obligations, both human and Divine, become Invalid, merely because opposs'd and barked at by a senseless Rabble? What's become of the Virtue of former Ages, when not a few choose it as the greatest Honour to die for their Countries good, and is their Motto ( Dulce& decorum pro patria mori) not to be seen in mens practices, as well as in Books and Escutchins. Indeed Peace and Quiet, whilst they Consist with Truth and Justice, are very pleasing: But to prefer an outward Peace, before an inward, or to equalize it with Truth or Justice, is beneath the Quality of a Man, and intolerably Scandalous in a Christian Kingdom.  
Besides, whilst self Interest is Adored by those who regard nothing else that becomes a Party, and makes its claim, for if the public fail, private Interest must fail too; and whether the public be in danger is worth the Considering, if within one Age the Charge to the Poor in Rates, be advanced Four fold, and so in this one County comes to 39000 per Annum, then the Kingdom according to the proportions observed in some former Assessments, that Charge is far more than One and Twenty times so much, Consequently above 819000 l. per Annum; add to this, what they receive by Begging, and what they might get in the time they now spend Idly, or worse, which few but will agree, is more than the Poor Rates, so the same being but another such Sum, and Added to the former, makes up 1638000 per Annum; Add to this, that which may be more than all the rest, that notwithstanding the great Advantages of Trade( of Late Years indeed not without some Interruptions by War) That the Charge to the Poor, and their insolent Carriage, Increaseth faster then ever: So that at this rate, the whole Rents and Profits of all the Lands in the Kingdom will in a little time be swallowed up, this way, and little or nothing will be left whereby to pay Taxes, for Support of the Government, or for the Competent subsistence of the Proprietor. And in Case those new Landlords, who are called poor, be not satisfied, they will not want Watt Tylors and Jack Straws to Head them in taking distress, and in form of Law, the distress and distresses found to take, led, drive, carry away, &c. and detain and keep, and not only so, but to take Possession, and Livery, and seizing of what they have been out of, and what they'l say others have Enjoyed long enough.  
Those who speak plausibly of former Ages, talk what Churches, Colleges, Hospitals were then Built; And what other great Acts of Piety, Charity and Magnificence were then done. But in Case the Charge in Maintaining the Poor which the present Age is at beyond the former, and which, as 'tis manifest, might be saved, and the Poor be provided for in a better and plentifuller manner than now they are, if that excessive Charge were employed in such and other like Acts of Piety, Charity and Magnificence as before are mentioned, more such Pious Noble Acts might be done in one Year, than were then in seven; or in Case such excessive Charge were employed in Building good Ships, the Strength and Glory of the Kingdom, and other Maritane affairs, the advantage to the public would be very great; or in Case such excessive Charges were saved to the Country, they already know what to do with it. Many good Laws have been made to prevent the Exportation of wool, which an Antiquary seems to fancy to be the Golden-Fleece, hinted in the History of Jason. The vast Damage to the Kingdom by such Exportation, and the Benefit thereby to foreign Countries, is easier known than prevented; yet in Case the many Thousands of People of the meaner sort, that have not other fit employments, were employed in working up thereof, there would be none left to Carry off, and Consequently the Exporting thereof would be impossible as well as unlawful. Should the Inundation of the Sea, or some Mighty Torrent Yearly sweep off so much Land of this County, as is worth 1000 l. such a Waste would justly be accounted a public as well as Private Loss, and no small one; and in Case the preventing thereof were feasible, Attempts to that purpose would not be wanting.  
The idleness and profuse ways of Living of the meaner sort, wholly occasioned through the neglect of Officers, like a Mighty Torrent, hath of late Years swept off at least 20000 l. per Annum, more than would, with the help of their Labour, Maintain them in a far better manner then now they are Maintained, whose Maintenance doth now Cost at least that Sum Yearly, more than it did within 30 Years last,( and yet at that time the Charge was double to what it was some Years since the making the Statute by which the poor Rates are now made, being about 96 Years since; now that which was done 30, 40 or 50. Years since, and much within that time, and always before in all places, without much care, skill or difficulty, may with ease be practised again, especially considering( what is before mentioned) that employments for the poor, are now much plentifuller, and Wages far greater than formerly. Indeed, those who look for a sudden Remedy for a Distemper so long in Contracting, may meet with a disappointment. Aged and Impotent poor, by what means soever their poverty was occasioned, must neither be Starved, nor Maintained in so scanty a manner as to be rather a lingering Death than a fit Maintenance; what was the occasion of want in them, may be prevented in others. One drop of Water seasonably applied, may quench that spark which otherwise might endanger a whole Town. And he that shall in the first Years attempt, by due and fit employments, as well as fit allowances, only Stem the Tide, and make some abatement of the Charge, and but some Reformation in their way of Living, will in a few Years, by a prudent Managery, find the effects to exceed his expectation, and greater abatement in the Charge of their maintenance in the next Seven Years, than hath been Advanced in Twenty.  
To satisfy the Scruples of some, it's necessary, by the way, to Answer One or Two Short Questions.   

Objection.  
Whether the Overseers are Obliged by any Law to employ, or cause such to be employed in Work, who are not actually chargeable unto them?   

Answer.  
The Act of Parliament in this Case, is the Rule in this Case, and that gives plain Directions to the Overseers o● the poor what they are to do, and what penalty they incur in Case they omit such their Duty. First, They are enjoined and required to employ and set on Work, or cause to be employed or set on Work, all such poor of their parish, whether Married or Unmarried, as have no Estates to Maintain themselves, nor ordinary and daily Trade of Life to get their Living by. Where by the way observe, that least the word all should not be Construed generally enough, the Law adds other general words, &c. and says, all persons, whether Married or Unmarried; so 'tis plain, that so far all persons are included. Next observe the following Words, and see who are excepted out of this General Rule, which have no Estates to maintain themselves, nor ordinary and daily Trade of Life to get their Living by: So that unless the Overseers do know, that a person hath an Estate, sufficient to Maintain him, or hath some ordinary and daily Trade, which must be such lawful employment wherein he is ordinarily and daily employed, otherwise 'tis to him no ordinary and daily Trade, then by the plain Words of the Law, they are to set him on Work, or cause him to be duly employed. And in order that so necessary a Duty may not be Omitted, each Church-Warden and Overseer of the poor, Forfeits 20 s. a Month, in case he or they, omit or neglect their duty herein, as by the same Statute plainly appears, so that whether a person have relief, or not relief from the Parish, is not at all Material; for the Law makes no such Distinction, & ubi lex non distinguit ibi, non distinguendum est: Therefore none may be made. They shall employ all persons, Married or Unmarried, and out of this General Rule, exempts none, save such as have Estates sufficient to maintain themselves, or an ordinary and daily Trade to get their Living by. And Indeed were this one Branch of this good Law, duly put in execution, there would be but small use of other Penal-Laws, most Offences being the effects of Idleness.  
The next Question, is made by the Poor themselves, Whither they are obliged to Work according to the Order of the Overseers of the Poor, in Case they never had relief, and do not desire Work from them?  
As the Law is plain that all persons, married or Unmarried, having no Estates to maintain themselves, are under the care of the Overseers, to Cause them to be Constantly and duly employed: So 'tis no less plain, that such persons are to Work according to the appointments of such Overseers: Which if they neglect or refuse, are for such their neglect or refusal, to be sent to the Bridewell, and whither or no they have relief, is no way material, and if they say they want no Work, it may show they desire to be Idle, &c.  
The Law is the Rule, and who are obliged to Work according to the appointment of the Overseers, and who, and only who are exempted, is before mentioned.   

III. Question.  
Whether such persons so to be employed, are obliged from time to time, to give an account to the overseers of the Poor, at some convenient time and place, that they have Wrought according to their appointment. And in Case they are otherwise employed, whether that be a sufficient excuse?   

Answer.  
In Case I should go about to prove, that a Servant who is sent of an Errand by his Master, or to tell his Sheep, or on other employment, and to return and give him an account of such his Service, at a time and place appointed, is obliged to give an account of his doing therein; I should only say what every one well knows: The giving such an account being the Common known duty of every Servant: And as every Servant is Bound by his own Contract to Serve his Master: So such as have no Estates to Maintain themselves, not ordinary and daily Trades of Life, are obliged by an Act of Parliament, which is a greater Obligation, than a private Contract, to Work according to the Appointment of the Overseers, such are no less obliged to give an account, that being an Essential part of the Work; and in Case such persons be otherwise duly employed( which may not be believed, unless proved before the Justice of the Peace before whom the Complaint is made against them,) yet the allowing that for a good Excuse, is a favour, and more then the Statute directs, and more than any particular Master will allow his own Servants, the doing one thing, when they are Commanded to do another.   

IV. Question.  
How a Person can be prosecuted for not Working according to the appointment of the Overseers, seeing the Complaint is Negative, and the Officers cannot be present, to see whether such persons Work according to his appointment or no.  
When a Person is Accused for committing a Crime, the proof lies on the Accuser; But when for omitting a Duty, the proof lies on the Party Accused: As for the purpose, in Case a Goal-Keeper be charged for an Escape, the Accuser is only to prove that the Prisoner was delivered into his Custody with a lawful Warrant, and it lies on the Keeper to prove he hath him still in his Custody, or else he will be adjudged guilty of the Escape. Or if a Constable, or other Ministerial Officer, be Accused, for not Executing a lawful Warrant, The proof of the Delivery of the Warrant, is what is required as a sufficient proof, against him; to oblige him to prove he hath done his utmost in the Execution thereof. So in this Case, if an Overseer of the Poor, do testify he hath assigned a person fit employment, it lies on the party Accused, to prove he hath Wrought accordingly, or else he is liable for his Omission to be sent to the bridewell.  
Indeed let a Person Live as Idly and disorderly as he will, unless he do complain for relief, 'tis common not to hinder such his Ill courses, and when he doth complain, then it may be, to tell him, in case he had kept to his honest Labour more, and frequented the Ale-Houses less, he might have Maintained himself in Credit, and not been burdensome to others: But his Strength being decayed, such advice is like the Locking of the Stable Door when the Horse is stolen, or like telling a Dead Man he might have lived Temperate, and then have lived much longer; or like telling a Thief on the Gallows, that in case he had honestly followed his profession, he might have done much good to his Family and Country, lived in good Credit, and at last have died in a good Old Age. But now such Advice comes too late; indeed such a Thief may reply, that in case the Overseers of the Poor of his Parish had duly discharged their Duty, in preventing his idle and ill Courses, as by the Law they ought to have done, they might have prevented his evil Life, and shameful Death. And indeed it may Reflect back with much uneasiness and horror too. 'tis commonly said, that Silence gives Consent, and he that by speaking or doing may discharge his Duty, and prevent an Evil, and doth not prevent it, is guilty of the ill Effects of such his Silence and Omission; according to that known Sacred Truth, he that can do good, and doth it not, to him it is a Sin.    
FINIS.