PROPOSALS

For Building in every COUNTY

A WORKING-ALMS-HOUSE OR HOSPITAL;

As the Best Expedient to perfect the TRADE and MANUFACTORY OFLinnen-Cloth. 

_LONDON_, Printed by _W. G. _ for _R. Harford_, at the Sign of the_Angel_ in _Cornhil_, 1677. 

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_PROPOSALS for Building in every County a_ WORKING-ALMS-HOUSE _or_HOSPITAL, _as the best Expedient to perfect the Trade and Manufactory ofLinnen Cloth_. 

WHEREBY, I. All Poor people and their Children from five or six years old may beemployed and maintained; as also all Beggars, Vagrants, _&c. _ restrainedand for ever prevented, and so all Parishes eased of that intolerableBurden. 

II. Many Hundred Thousand Pounds kept at home, which now every year goesout of the Kingdom for _Linnen_, whereby our Wealth becomes a prey to otherNations. 

III. Much Land improved in every County to great advantage of Landlord andTenant. 

_Humbly Offered to the Consideration of the great Wisdom ofthe whole Nation, now Assembled in Parliament_. 

Considering the great Complaints of Poverty, the heavy Burdens mostParishes lie under to maintain their Poor, which daily encrease; the Swarmsof Beggars, Vagrants and Idle People in City and Countrey; the great, and'tis fear'd, irrecoverable decay of our Ancient Trade for Woollen Cloth;the vast Charge we are yearly at in purchasing Linnen, _&c. _ from otherNations, whereby our Treasure is exhausted, and our Lands fall for want ofbeing improved some other way, besides planting Corn, breeding for Wool, _&c. _ Which are become of so low a price, as scarce to turn to Account: Andunderstanding, that for remedying thereof, the Improving the Manufactory ofLinnen is now under Debate, I have taken the boldness to Offer thefollowing PROPOSAL, which if thought fit to be put in practice, will (in myopinion) infallibly conduce to all the good Ends desired and intended; viz. 

 _That there may be Erected in every County according to its Extent or Populousness, a greater or lesser_ Working-Alms-House, _wherein the Poor may be continually employed in the Manufactory of_ Linnen Cloth. 

The Advantages whereof are evident; For, I. This Manufactory is an Employment for the weakest people, not capable ofstronger Work, viz. Women and Children, and decrepit or aged people, nowthe most chargeable; as likewise for Beggars and Vagrants, who live idly, and by the sweat of other mens Labours, and can no way so effectually bebrought to Industry and Order, as when reduced into to narrow a Compass orConfinement under fitly qualified Rulers, Officers, and Regular Government. 

II. These Working-Alm-Houses may raise and supply the Nation yearly with asufficient Stock of Linnen Cloth (the finest sort excepted) if truemeasures be taken, and the Design effectually prosecuted; As for example, 1352000 pounds worth of Cloth may yearly be spun in them only, besides whatis made in private Families--Thus demonstrated;

1. 'Tis well known by experience, that three quarters of a Pound of Threadworth 12 d. _per_ Pound spinning, will make one Ell of Cloth worth _2 s. __per_ Ell; which Three quarters of a Pound two Spinners may spin in oneday; Hence it follows, 2. That 2000 Spinners will spin Thread enough in one day to make 1000 Ellsof Cloth, worth 100 l. And working but 260 days in the year, may spin 26000Pounds worth of Linnen Cloth in a year. 

3. Suppose then there be as many publick Work-houses, as there areCounties, which are 52, and in every Work-house, one with another, 2000Spinners (though in some more, some less) then according to the reasonablemeasures, there will be the forementioned Sum of 1352000 l. Worth of Clothspun in one year; which is what we undertook to demonstrate. 

This or some such prodigious Sum of Money might yearly be raised to theNation, whereby a Treble Benefit would ensue, First, we might save so muchMoney now yearly sent out of the Nation for Linnen, which, as computed byvery worthy Intelligent persons, has of late cost us more than a Million_per Annum_. Secondly, By employing those hands, which for the greatestpart are idle, it being reasonably supposed that there are at least 100000Beggars or others who want a lawful Employment. Besides, almost all bothMen, Women and Children that can but pull Tire or Tow from the Distaff, orsuch easie work, may be speedily employed and removed from beingchargeable; so that there will be no fear of any Parish in the Kingdombeing oppressed, or indeed charged, save only in case of extream Age, orChildren in their Infancy, neither of which continues long. And Thirdly, Much land throughout _England_ will be greatly improved by sowing Hemp, Flax, _&c. _

_Obj. _ It may be objected, _That if the House be stockt with so many weak, ancient people and Children, this will cross the great Design, because theywill not be capable to spin their quantity of Cloth, nor so fine_. 

_Answ. _ As to Fineness, it matters not, if but one in five be employed init to an exquisite degree; for there is enough occasion for courser, forSacking, Sails, Ticking, Common Table-Linnen, Sheets, _&c. _ And as toQuantity, it may not be the less, because the most laborious thing inSpinning is turning of the Wheel. 

Now for the better effecting a Design so profitable and honourable to theKingdom, I have improved my small Genius to the utmost, notwithstanding Iabove all Projectors, have been most discouraged: And I know whoever willattempt any thing for publick Benefit, may expect these Three things. (Thefirst is Necessary, the second Customary, and the third Diabolical) _viz. _, To be the Object of wise mens Censure, other mens Laughter, and ifadvantagious to himself, Envies implacable displeasure; of which last, Ihave had share to the highest degree that Revenge could express; and thistoo from a pretended loving Brother, a person of an honest Profession, andof as debauched a Conscience; yet I say, notwithstanding suchdiscouragements, I have spent some time for Publick Advantage, _viz. _ Tofind out an Expedient both for Ease and quick Dispatch, so as that the weakmay do as much as the strong, and the strong much more than before. 

As thus; One man may turn 50 Spinning Wheels, which shall serve 100 personsto Spin with at once; so that the Spinners shall have nothing to do butemploy both hands to draw Tire from the Distaff. The Demonstration of theInfallibility of this Invention may be easily made when commanded. 

As also, An Engine by which 50 men may, without striking a stroke, beat asmuch Hemp in one day, as 100 shall do in two days. 

 Besides the Advantage of this Spinning Engine in Ease, Its expedition will also be considerable; For if (as we doubt not) by this help Spinners can earn 9 d. _per_ day, as easie as 6 d. _per_ day without: By that means computing only 1000 Spinners in each of the 52 Work-houses, in one years time will be gained the Sum of 163968 Pounds and upwards, as by Calculation appears; and the Invention for Hemp-beating (which is the hardest work of all) will likewise in its kind be very considerably advantagious. 

_Obj. 2. _ But some will be ready to object, and tell us, _That we talk ofbrave things, if words would do the Work; but where's the Money for theBuilding of such great Hospitals? and providing all Tools and Materialswill cost many Thousand Pounds. _

 I confess here's the Knot, which seems knit by Magick Art; but if it can be untied without cutting or breaking the Thread, then I hope our Proposals will not be rejected. 

_Answ. _ To this therefore I humbly Answer, That it may be done by aCounty-Charge, with as much Satisfaction, Pleasure and Advantage, as topart with 5 l. To prevent paying 50 s. _per An. _, which I think no wisepeople will judge to be an hard Bargain; especially if they consider theother vast profit to the Nation, and that thereby they purchase (in theCountry) 50 s. _per Annum_ more by improvement of their Lands for Hemp orFlax. --As thus;

 Suppose every Parish, one with another, throughout the Nation, relieves as many poor People, Beggars, _&c. _ as doth amount to 12 d. In the Pound, so that every 100 l. _per Annum_, pays 5l. _per Annum_ to the poor; Now if every 100 l. _per Annum_, pay 5 l. Towards Building such Hospital, then whereas more than half their poor consists of Children, Women, and decrepit weak persons, unfit for any other Employment, but such as may fitly be removed to this Hospital; it follows, more than half their Charge will for the future be abated; yea, many Parishes have scarce any poor to provide for. 

Wherefore as for raising Money, we will take our measures thus; In_England_ there are commonly accounted 9725 Parishes, and 52 Counties; sothat one with another, there are 187 Parishes to each County, and eachParish supposed to be worth 1500 l. _per Annum_ (some more, some less) atthe Rate of 12 d. _per_ Pound, it will amount to the Sum of 14025 l. Ineach County, which undoubtedly will compleat the House and Materials. 

Obj. 3. _But this Method will not hold, because one County hath not so manyParishes as another_. 

_Answ. _ It matters not; Let each County build proportionally to their Moneyas it will arise at 12 d. _per_ Pound, we doubt not but it will besufficient. 

_Obj. 4. _ It may further be Objected as impossible, _That the SpinningEngine should turn to account, because as oft as one Spinner has occasionto stop, all the rest must be idle; and again, since every Wheel hath itsmotion alike, and several Spinners work some faster, some slower, thereforeall considered, this Project will make but a Confusion. _

_Answ. _ To this I reply; Any one may stop, and the rest work on, and alsomay vary the motion of each Spinning Instrument, so as the nimblest and theslowest may have their desire: Nor may these Instruments be contemned, since they are as cheap as the other, and so ordered that the Spinners maysit or stand when they please; which doubtless will be a good conveniency. 

 The Invention of these Engines is wholly mine, and if they prove effectual, I hope I shall not be deprived of receiving some benefit thereof; because I am so free, as in effect to discover it beforehand. However, I submit to what the Pleasure of Authority shall allow; And to the intent these Hospitals may never fail of encouragement, that the Invention may be for ever secured to them, and prohibited to all others, so that the same may be improved only for their benefit, and private persons not take the advantage thereof to the prejudice of this our pious and necessary Design: I doubt not but many will say, Tush! this is easie; any body may invent such things as these. --Thus the Industry of one is gratified with the contempt of others: Howbeit I leave it with all humble submission to the grave Wisdom aforesaid, to consider, 1. Whether these great Hospitals may not become Nurseries for bringing upall poor peoples Children to Industry, and how by a Methodical Governmentevery one may be so encouraged, that one striving to excel the rest, invery short time, the finest Linnen may be made at home upon far betterterms than what comes from beyond the Seas; and whether there be not aprobability, if the Engines take, that we may come to transport Linnen uponas good terms as other Nations, since Flax and Hemp may here be asplentifully produced as in any other Countrey. 

2. Whether this great and profitable Trade may not be managed for the mostpart by those who at present are a burden; so that those which before wereindustrious, may follow their former employments, and so no want of Peoplefor Husbandry, _&c. _

Obj. 5. _But what shall we do for Weavers_?

_Answ_. I propose it to consideration, whether it might not be a moreChristian and effectual course to suppress notorious Malefactors (exceptonly in cases of Treason and Murder) to condemn them hither for life oryears, where they may be serviceable to turn Wheels, fit Tier to theDistaffs, reel Yarn, swingle or hitchel Hemp or Flax, Weave, _&c. _ which anordinary Ingenuity may learn in few days, rather than to send them out witha Brand to commit fresh Villanies, or transport them, whence they presentlyreturn: And this the rather to be heeded, for that Foreign Plantations havenow so little occasions for them, that Merchants refuse to take them offthe Sheriffes hands, without being paid for their Passage; so that above 80Convicts in _Newgate_ lately obtained a General Pardon on that very score, because they knew not what to do with them: Besides, how many overstocktTrades are there that complain for want of Trade, _&c. _ Those may quicklylearn to weave, and never fear an employ. 

_Obj 6. _ But as to Convicts brought hither, it will be Objected, _That theymust be kept more secure, lest they escape and do Mischief_. 

_Answ. _ They may be secured well enough, and those that turn the Wheel, _&c. _ may be separated by an Iron Grate from the rest:--And here by theway, the pious wisdom of the City of _London_ may find out a means, wherebyall those Impudent Night-walkers, and Nurses of Debauchery may be whollyremoved, which at present are a destruction both to the Estates, Bodies andSouls of many Hundreds, and cannot be reclaimed by ordinary _Bridewels_, because their Labour there is only a punishment, and turns not toadvantage, to keep them there all their days, or at least until they marry, and keep within doors. 

_Obj. 7. _ Some may imagine an inconvenience in sending so many people fromall parts of the County to one place, and say, _Why were it not better tobuild many little Work-Houses rather than one great one_?

_Answ. _ I Answer, By no means; for then we shall miss one great and chiefDesign, _viz. _ the maintenance of good Government; by which the wholeFamily may be instructed in good Manners both towards God and Man; only assome Counties are greater, more populous, _&c. _ they may have more or lessproportionably. 

_Obj. 8. _ There still remains one Objection; and that is, _What shall we dofor Hemp and Flax?_

_Answ. _ To which I Answer, That Hemp or Flax (one or the other) mayplentifully be had in every County of _England_: Take _Sussex_ as anexample; any indifferent good Land, Chalky, _&c. _ from the foot of the_Downes_ to the Sea-side, with double Folding or Dunging, and twicePlowing, will produce Hemp in abundance; yet though their Land be richenough, dry, _&c. _ it will not produce good Flax: But to supply that, manyThousand Acres of the _Wild_ of _Sussex_, will produce Crops of Flax, worthsome four, some five, some six Pounds an Acre, and that kind for Hemp, asaforesaid, worth as much. Besides, for encouraging the Planting the same athome, it may be convenient to lay an Imposition of Four or Five Shillingsin the Pound, or upwards, upon all Hemp, Thread, Cordage, or LinnenImported from Foreign parts; by means whereof, we may raise it at homecheaper than buy them abroad, and then everybody will Plant Hemp and Flaxabundantly, as a thing of course, enriching those that promote it. 

But why 4 or 5 Counties should (as some have proposed) enjoy this greatWealth and Advantage of promoting the Linnen Manufactory and Improvement ofLands, and not the rest, I cannot understand; nor for what reason so manypeople should be drain'd out of all the Nation into four or five MidlandCounties, since those Counties next adjoyning to the Sea, ought to be keptmost populous. 

_But to what purpose should so much Hemp be planted?_

I Answer, Hemp is of greater strength than Flax, therefore of moreexcellent use for great advantage, as Cables, Ropes, and all kinds ofCordage, Sails, Sacking, _&c. _ As also Thread for all Nets for Fishery; forwhich, and other purposes, we now buy yearly several hundred ThousandPounds worth from beyond the Seas; so that without controversie, there's asmuch Hemp to be used as Flax, and consequently the Hemp-Mill may be asuseful as the Spinning-Instrument. 

 Having, we hope, satisfactorily Answered all Material Objections against the main Body of this Design, it remains to consider of the Order and Method of Governing these great Families or Corporations; but the Particulars thereof we leave to the deeper Wisdom and judicious Care of Authority; only in general propose, 1. That for the better encouragement and support of so many poor peoplelabouring in so profitable a Manufactory, each Alms-house be provided withand allowed a publick Granary, for stocking themselves with Corn when it ischeapest, against the time of Dearth; a priviledge we conceive not to be soproperly advisable for other Companies or Handicrafts (as some propose anddesire) because that would always keep Corn too cheap, and consequentlyundo the Tenant, or Landlord, or both: For what makes Wheat as often at 4s. A Bushel (under which it is known the Farmer cannot live) as at 2 s. 6 d. But because all people in the Nation that have occasion, must buy of theLand-Occupiers at the same time when it is scarce? But by such generalGranaries the hopes of 4 s. _per_ Bushel will be banisht the Markets; butin our case painful Husbandry, that ancient Employment may well allowGranaries, both because this Manufactory and Design eases their Charge tothe poor, and is of more advantage to the Publick, than some 20 Tradesbesides; and particularly, because it helps to improve their Lands by Flaxand Hemp, that now they need not so much relie upon Corn for raising theirRent: Besides, if other other overstockt Trades want Bread, let them quittheir Station, and come to Weaving, and then they may enjoy the benefit ofthese Granaries, also. 

2. That the Maiden-Children brought up in this Corporation, may after theyattain to the Age of 15 Years, or other fit time, be permitted to go forthto Service to learn good Huswifry, and the Lads to Husbandry or Trades, ifthey think fit; nor will there be need of so great caution to prevent theMarriages of the meaner sort, since now the Parishes need not so much feara Charge, knowing a means how to employ all their Children as fast as theycome to be five or six Years old; nor can a young man have better choicefor a Wife than here, amongst so many, all bred up industriously understrict Discipline, and in a way to live; And therefore this Method will beso far from causing any depopulation, that it may encrease our Inhabitants;and the more, the better, since we know how to dispose of them in suchlaudable Employments: Moreover, hereby the distracting cares of poor honestParents, oft occasioned by a foresight of their incapacity to provide fortheir Children, will be removed; so that they may pass their time in peace, knowing that a good honest comfortable Employment and Education is providedfor their Children, and their Childrens Children; nor may this less removethe Temptations both in Parents and Children, which cause them to be guiltyof such Misdemeanors as sometimes bring them to the Gallows; so that theExpedients offered for the accomplishing this Manufactory, will produce ahappy change in the whole Nation, _viz. _ no more want of Work or Bread forthe poor, no more Parishes oppressed, no more Beggars, a great abatement ofFelons, Thieves, Cheats, Nurses of Debauchery, _&c. _ many Lives preserved, and (which is an hundred thousand times more than all the rest) many Soulssaved: Much more might be said in this case, to set forth the excellence ofthis Design, but I leave it as a work more deserving the skill of the mostLearned and Godly Divine, and shall only add, In order to that last mentioned incomparable end, and for the betterEducation and Instruction of this great Family, That there may be placed ineach House an Able, Honest, Godly Minister, of a good, peaceable, kinddisposition and exemplary Conversation; that so no means may be wanting forpromoting Gods Glory and their Edification: To which purpose, on Holidaysand other spare times, all or the most docible part of the People train'dup here, may likewise be taught to read, _&c. _

 So may our most Great Prince, and Worthy Senators become further Instruments for the Nations Prosperity, and the Salvation of many Souls: Thus may the Blessing of Heaven crown all their Honourable Enterprizes and Prudent Counsels with most prosperous Success, which that it may be so, is the hearty Desire of

_Your most Humble, Obedient and Faithful_

_Subject and Servant_, R. H. 

_FINIS. _

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POSTSCRIPT

Having received the princely Approbation of that most Judicious and publickspirited Promoter of _Englands_ Weal and Prosperity, and all suchIngenuites as tend to general Good, and whole Noble Actions have givenmatchless proofs of his great zeal thereunto, _viz. _ His IllustriousHighness Prince _Rupert_ who having condiscended to peruse the preceedingProposals, was pleas'd to Honour me with his Approvement, Advice, andEncouragement therein; Judging it necessary, that I should first offer thesame to His Majesties Consideration; and in order thereunto, did Introduceme to His Royal Presence, who was Graciously pleas'd to order me to deliverit to one of His Secretaries of State, to the intent he might peruse it, and bring in his Report thereof; whereupon I carried it to Mr. Secretary_Coventry_, who gave his Approbation thereof to His Majesty at the CouncilTable, where it pass'd without any obstruction:

Which gave me the greater Encouragement to put the said Proposals in Print, for the deliberate Perusal, and grave Consideration of both Houses ofParliament; who, I humbly conceive, are as greatly concern'd to encourageall such humble Endeavours, tending to such General Wealth and Honour ofthe whole Nation. 

And for as much as I have the opportunity, by reason of the Adjournments ofParliament since _Whitsuntide_ last, immediately after which, my Proposalscame out of the Press, I thought it might not be superfluous to add a fewLines for the Answering some further Objections, but first shall add a fewWords to the Answer already given to the second. 

_Obj. Pag. 5. _ where I say, _That the laying out of_ 5 l. _for the Buildingof Working Alms-Houses, will purchase_ 50 s. Per Annum _for ever_; WhereasI now find, That it will purchase 20 l. _per Annum_ in most Parishes; as may thusappear. 

Suppose every Farm worth 100 l. _per Ann. _ Plant but EightAcres of Flax or Hemp, and that worth 7, 6, or 5 l. _perAcre_, which last sum is the least that may be expected fromgood Land to be worth, as it stands on the Ground; whereforeto avoid mistakes, we will take our measures from 5 l. _per_Acre. 05-00-00

For Rent we will Deduct 20 s. For Seed. 20 s. And forPlowing, Sowing, and Harrowing 10 s. In all-- 02. 10. 00

Which Deducted out of 5 l. There remains clear Profit forone Acre of Land-- 02. 10. 00

So that eight Acres, at the least value must yield clearProfit, all Charges Deducted-- 20. 00. 00

To which add 2 l. 10 s. Which will be saved out of the PoorsBook, and it makes-- 22. 10. 00

So that a farm which was worth 100 l. _per Ann. _ will by this Expedient, beworth Six score and Two pounds and Ten Shillings _per Ann. _; and to beSold, will yield 450 l. More than before. 

Which is a plain Demonstration, that the laying out of 5 l. Towards thebuilding and furnishing these Hospitals, will purchase above 20l. _perAnn. _ or bring in 450 l. And this is the lowest Calculation that may bemade of the Profits and Advantages that may arise by Planting of Hemp, andFlax, if well Husbanded. 

And most true it is, there's no one Manufactory in _England_ so generallyprofitable as this may be made, especially to be raised from Land, with solittle hurt done to the same, as may be Demonstrated thus;

Suppose the Crop of one Acre, as it stands on the Ground to be worth 7 l. (which is a very moderate supposition. ) This Seven Pounds worth being wellDrest fit for Spinners, may be worth 14 l. This Fourteen Pounds worth beingwell Spun and made into good Cloth, may be worth from 40 l. To 60 l. Yea Ihave been inform'd beyond the Seas, that the Cloth which might be made ofone Acre of Flax well Drest and well Spun, might be worth more than a 100l. 

Let us not forget, that we have idle hands enough in our Nation to perfectthis most profitable Improvement; and also, that little more than half theMoney which in one year goes out of the Nation for Linnen, will pay foraccomplishing the same: Nay, if the thing were rightly considered, it mightbe easily Demonstrated, That the Money which goes out of the Nation forLinnen in one year, will pay for making of all the Cloth that may be madein 20 years; although in every year of that twenty, there be as much made, as now we buy a Year of other Nations: As thus;

Money being kept at home within the Body of the Nation, is (as it hath noless aptly, than frequently been resembled) like the Blood in itsCirculation in the Body of Man, which is not the less for its perpetualMotion; but the whole Body thereby the better supplyed, strengthened, andnourished in every Part. So it is with our Money; For, suppose Twelvehundred Thousand pounds goes out of the Nation in one year (which, somesay, is much more) This never returns again; But if the same sum be paidfor making so much Cloth at home, there's not one Groat the less at theyears end; So that the very Money which pays for one years work, may payfor two years, and consequently for 20 years, and yet pass through allnecessary Trades, and as well to the land Occupiers, as any. 

The _9th_ Obj. _But possibly, your Engins for Expedition may fail, which ifso, then notwithstanding, the Spinners, _ &c. _may earn their own Food, yetthere will be nothing towards the maintainance of good Government, which isthe great thing you aimed at, whereby all persons who are brought into theHospital, may be well Educated, and effectually Instructed in a Methodicalway for expedition and advantage; Administering incouraging Rewards to theIngenuous and Industrious, and Correction to those that deserve it, withoutwhich 'tis almost impossible to perfect your good design. _

_Answ. _ 'Tis very true: But first, I am confirm'd in my Judgement, that theriddance these Engins will make, cannot be less than what I have alreadyproposed in _pag. _ the _5th. _

Secondly, Suppose the worst, _viz. _ that the Engins fail; What then; Ifevery 100 l. _per Ann. _ in each County contribute 3d. _per_ Week, whichwould undoubtedly be sufficient to maintain good Government amongst them?Nay, what, If for the better Incouragement, and more Comfortablemaintainance of all the whole Family, six pence _per_ Week be paid, itwould amount but to 26 s. _per Ann. _, to be allow'd out of the Profitswhich each 100 l. _per Ann. _ will reap thereby; which according to ourlowest Calculation, is not less than 22 l. 10 s. A year; And I hope thegreat wisdom of the Nation will not think it too much to part with 5 l. Forthe Building these Hospitals, and after they are built, to allow 26 s. _perAnn. _ for the maintainance of good Government, _&c. _ since by so doing, thewhole Nation is enrich'd thereby: The truth is, these Hospitals andGovernment is so Essential, that the thing cannot be brought to passwithout them; for whatever we may promise our selves; yet the Work isotherwise as unlikely to be effected, as a great Multitude of unhappyScholars to learn their Books, where there is neither Master nor Tutor, toRule, Teach, or Govern. 

And who knows, but in very few Ages, each Hospital may have a plentifulRevenue bestow'd thereon: For what can be a fitter object for the Charityof such well disposed People, who out of their Abundance, may please toleave a Legacy behind them for Pious and Charitable uses, seeing here itwill ever be imploy'd to the comfort of distressed Widows; the Maintainanceand good Education of Fatherless Children; The Feeding the Hungry, Cloathing the Naked, _&c. _ yea, the Posterity of the Donor, (according tothe Revolutions of humane things) and the Posterity of his Relations, mayreap such benefit by these deeds of Charity, as that they may be everpreserved from Extremity. 

Or, why should we think it too much out of 100 l. _per Ann. _ to cast 5 l. Ayear into the Treasury of this House, to be scatter'd amongst the Poor;since it is but a fourth part of what we gain by them: By this means, I amconfident the Poor of each Parish would be so few, that there would bescarce enow to eat the spare Meat that comes from other mens Tables:Howbeit, it were good, that a Law were made, that every person that givesany Almes to any idle Beggars, or wandring People, (the Poor of their ownParish only excepted) should forfeit 5 l. To the Treasurer of the Hospitalof that County in which they dwell, which would be no violation of thePrecepts of Charity, but an effectual expedient to restrain all Beggars andidle people for the future. 

If we believe (as I hope we all do) that the happiness of a Nation hath itsdependance on the good Will and Pleasure of God Almighty, and that the morewe please him, the greater Blessings we may receive from him. Let it beconsidered, How acceptable an Offering it would be to the most High, whenby so pious an Act of Our Gracious King and Parliament, together with thefree Will Offrings of all able godly disposed people, so many Thousands, yea Thousands of Thousands, in process of time, may be restrained, andprevented from living in that broad way of Idleness and Lewdness, in whichis all manner of Debauchery. And now by this Reformation, from Generationto Generation, may become attentive hearers of his Holy Word, which is themost Infallible Directory to bring them to Heaven. 

Obj: _You talk of great Profits made of Flax in other Countries: But someare of the Opinion, That to raise the Linnen Manufactory here to thatdegree, is utterly Impracticable; as well, because our Domestick Flax isnot so good as that which comes from beyond the Seas; as also, because ourpeople cannot work it so well. _

_Answ. _ This Objection, (which some are pleas'd to think very considerable)consists of two Branches: The first is an Exception to the goodness of ourFlax; The second, to the Skill and Dexterity of our People. 

As for the first; _Whether ours be as good as Outlandish Flax?_ It must beconsidered, and cannot be denied, but, that the far greatest part of theFlax which we Import from beyond the Seas, is _East-Country Flax_, I say, the far _greatest_ part, ten to one in proportion; Now I am crediblyinformed by several well experienced Flax-Men (who have dealt in bothSorts) That _English_ Flax is _full as good_, to all intents, as this_East-Country_ Flax, and do not doubt, but it will appear so uponExamination; So that the Objection, as in Comparison with such_East-Country_ Flax, vanishes; of which yet, (although we have but littleCloth made in _England_) there is, (as I am inform'd) several HundredThousand Pounds worth yearly Imported. 

But then, as to _Dutch_ Flax, indeed the Case is somewhat more difficult:It being a common opinion, that their Flax, in its nature, is better formaking of Fine Cloth, than ours generally is: But even this is denied bypersons of great Judgement and Experience, who affirm, that much Land in_England_ may produce as kind Flax, to the full: Besides, the _Dutch_ FlaxImported, is but little, and comparatively Inconsiderable; as is indeed theUse and Consumtion of very Fine Cloth, in respect of the vast quantities ofCourse and Ordinary Cloth; so that, if the Trade be Encouraged, we need notfear, but we may find ground enough in _England_, fit to produce asexcellent Flax as any now brought from _Holland_, I mean, _so much_ as wehave occasion for; And consequently, may make as good Linnen; _If we do notspoil it in working_: Which is the second Charge of the Objection. 

To which I Answer, That I have credibly been inform'd by some persons, thatthey have, and can now already make as good Cloth here, as that which wecommonly Buy for 5, 6, 7, or 8 s. _per_ Ell: And why should not our people, when they find the Manufactory Incouraged, and especially by the Emulationand desires to out-vie each other in good Work-manship in these publickWorking Alms-Houses; Why, I say, May we not arrive at as great Perfectionin the Mystery as any people in the World? The _English_ once had theReputation of the only excellent Artificers for Wollen Cloth; other Nationsknew nothing, or very little of it; yet now we find, by unhappy experience, they equal, if not exceed us therein: Why may we not retaliate, andout-strip them in another Mystery? Or, Why should we more scandal ourselves with suggestions of Dullness and Indocility, than our Neighbours. 

But to give more full satisfaction, That this Manufactory, especially thatpart which is most advantagious to the Nation, as being most Consumptive ofour Hemp and Flax, and most promoting Trade and Imployment for the Poor;which indeed is common and ordinary Cloth, of which there is a ThousandElls to one Transported into all His Majesties Plantations. 

That this I say is suddainly to be perfected, I cannot but give a signalInstance, from the laudable practice and experience of that worthyGentleman, Mr. _Tho. Firmin_, Citizen of _London_, who at this time Imploysin his House (built for that purpose) several Flax-men, _Weavers_, _&c. _And also above 600 Spinners abroad. This Judicious person shew'd me morethan 500 l. Worth of very good substantial Cloth, of his own working. Andin truth, I have convers'd with many; but never found any man so able andfree to resolve all doubts in this case; who told me for a Truth, that aChild of 5 or 6 years old, that had its Health, and a moderateApprehension, might be taught in 6 Weeks to earn its living in Spinning;Which, if so, as from the Veracity and Experience of the Relator, I have noreason to doubt. It is most plain, that the most profitable part of thisManufactory may be both easily and speedily accomplish'd, and perfected, tothe happy Reformation of many Thousands, who now live by Begging, _&c. _giving scarce any thing for whatever they Eat, Drink, or Wear. 

Besides, let it be considered, How greatly this Manufactory will quickenand revive our decayed Markets and dying Trade, especially, that ofHusbandry; which may easily be domonstrated, thus;

As the Case now stands, every Family in the Nation either directly orindirectly, send their Money every year to the _Drapers_ for Linnen, the_Drapers_ they pay it to the Merchants, and away it goes every year beyondSea, and never returns; whereby our Wealth is made a Prey to other Nations, whose Poor are imploy'd and maintain'd thereby, whilst in the mean time ourNation is in a Consumption, our Poor live by Begging, Poverty increases, and our Lands lye unimproved, for want of this Manufactory. 

But now under this Reformation, every Family that sends their Money to the_Drapers_, the _Draper_ sends it to the Masters of these _Hospitals_, andthey scatter it amongst all the Trades in the Nation; especially to theFarmers, and Tillers of Land, ready Money for Hemp and Flax; ready Moneyfor Corn and Fat Cattle of all sorts; and the like for Butter and Cheese, or any thing they have to spare: And all this, or the greatest part, fromthose who before lay a Begging at their Doors, or were maintained byContribution; and now, the more people Increase, the better it will be forthe whole Nation: And doubtless, if an Imposition sufficient were laid onForeign Linnen, Hemp and Flax, and Incouragement due to ingenious andindustrious people given, (as in this Case, the Nation might well afford)then to be sure, our Hospitals would be suddenly stock'd with curiousArtists, by which our new Manufactory would speedily be brought toperfection. 

'Tis worth consideration also, how great an Ornament, besides the greatWealth these Hospitals would be to His Majesties Kingdom, and how much theywould add to the Trade, Wealth, and greatness of those Towns near whichthey are erected. 

13. Obj. _You talk much of Charity, Let Charity begin at home with goodHusbandry; If this course be taken, we shall pay dearer for Linnen, thannow we do, and it must needs be best Husbandry to Buy where we may have itCheapest. _

_Answ. _ If we send our Money beyond-Sea for what we want, then the more weBuy, the less Money we have to pay, which causes Scarcity of Money, andalso, want of Trade, whereby to get more; but if we bestow our Money forCommodities made at home, our Money and Trade will continually Increase;and though for a little while we pay somewhat more, yet it is easier topart with 9 d. When Money and Trade are plenty and increasing, than to partwith 6 d. When Money and Trade is both wanting; especially, seeing the 9 d. Remains at home, and returns again, but the 6 d. Is carried into anotherNation, and lost irrecoverably. 

14. Obj. In _pag. 5. _ you suggest, _That by your Engin, one Spinner mayearn 9_ d. _as easily as 6_ d. _without it; But how can that be? sinceevery Spinner now, may have a wheel to turn with her foot, and so have bothhands at liberty, as well as with your Engins: And again, its a more usualfault to over-twist the thred, than to do it too slack; therefore no needof help to turn the wheel. _

_Answ. _ To this I Answer, First, That the thing we chiefly design, is toimploy and maintain such as cannot any other way earn half their living byany other Imploy, so that more than half the Spinners would be very young, and of little strength, and consequently to imploy one foot all the timethey Spin, will be very tiresome; nay, the strongest body cannot do it, without easing the same, neither can they imply both hands so freely, aswhen they are discharged of that burthen, or incumbrance. 

As for Example: Two men of equal strength, skill, and nimbleness in allpoints, were to run a long Race, and one of them must carry such a weightin his hand, as is more tiresome to him than the motion of his Legs, andoft-times, must ease the Burthen with his foot: May not the other, who hathall his Limbs free, be at the end of the Race and half-way back again assoon, and more easily than this can get to the end of the Race. Possiblysome may say, _This Simile is not parallel, and that I make it better on myside than it is_. To which I say, for the Resolution of this Question, Dobut inquire of those that Spin, which of the Two is most tiresome, Theturning of the Wheel, (either by the Foot or Hand, no matter which) or theother part of the Work. I have almost as often ask'd the Question, as I seeany a Spinning (since I invented this Engin) and the Answer has alwaysbeen, The turning of the Wheel; although they imploy both hand and foot byturnes to do it: Besides, it is burthensome, and also injurious to thebody; especially for youth, which are growing, to be from Morning tillEvening, always sitting. 

Secondly, Although it be true, _That over-twisting the Thred is commonly afault, rather than slack twisting the same_; yet the Cause of this faultis, that they do not draw the Thred fast enough: But to the betteradvantage, this will be easily cured, for now all the aforesaidinconveniencies being removed, which render the Work most burthensome; theymay for their ease stand or sit, when, and as often as they please, andfreely imploy both hands from morning to evening, much more easily thanthey could one hand before; and the faster they draw the Thred from theDistaff, the more they Spin, with less danger of over-twisting the same; sothat I do not know, but those that are some-time used to this easie way, may Spin as much in one day, as now in two. 

Furthermore, these Spinning Instruments may in like manner be forExpedition very serviceable for Spinning of Wollen, I mean Serges, Worsted, Camlets, and Stockings, which being well made, are much more to beincouraged than Hair and Silk, these being Foreign Commodities, the otherof our own Growth, especially, since it is so, that our home Markets forWool, and Foreign Markets for our Cloth grow worse and worse, and in theopinion of most, scarce ever to be recovered; which, if so, it must needsbe the best Husbandry to promote such Manufactories, as may be for theConsumption of our own Materials. 

Obj. _If you intend these Hospitals for the Imployment of such as haveFamilies of their own to maintain, the business will be confused andImpracticable. _

_Answ. _ Possibly so, at least, in some respects and circumstances; but thatwas never intended, the main design of these Hospitals being only for therelief of all oppressed Parents, families, and Parishes, by taking offtheir young Children, and single people, who have neither Habitation, norParish willing to receive them, there to be comfortably maintain'd, welleducated and instructed in all good manners towards God and Man; Nor areany of them to be confin'd to this House longer than untill they can wellearn their Livings by other means; unless it be such as are committed aspersons deserving perpetual or temporary Confinement, which is far betterthan to Hang or Transport, except it be for Capital Crimes. 

The second Benefit aimed at, is the procuring the most Fine and curiousCloth, as well as quantities sufficient of Courser, for Domestick andForeign Trade, to be obtained with great expedition: For so it is, Thatwhen so many are imploy'd in sight of each other (especially, whereincouragement is given, and good Discipline maintain'd) the strife of all, both small and great, will be to excell each other, both in quantity andcuriosity of Work. 

Obj. _This Manufactory being thus incouraged, a considerable part of HisMajesties Revenue now arising by Custom for Linnen Cloth will bediminished. _

_Answ. _ I humbly Answer, That the same may be easily compensated anotherway, it being (with all submission) conceived, That it would be happy forthis Kingdom, if an Imposition of 12 d. _per_ quart more than now is, wereto be paid for all _French_-Wine and Brandy; As also 5 s. In the Pound forall Hemp, Flax, and Linnen, that is Imported. 

'Tis possible some may suppose, that my being thus intent and tedious, isonly an itch of Fame; but I can justly assure the World, I am so far fromany such contemptible Vanity, That I am rather a beggar for the Poor andDistressed, and for their sakes, would imitate the importunate Widow, inthe 18th of St. _Luke_'s Gospel, who obtain'd her request meerly for thesake of her Importunity; only this difference there is, Her suit was forRevenge, Mine for an Act of Charity; she made her suit to such a Judge asneither feared God, nor regarded man; but my humble, though earnest suitis, To the Most _Christian King_, a _Defender of the Faith_; as also to theGreat Wisdom of a _Christian Nation_, all which strengthens my hopes, thatI shall not be more unfortunate than was that importunate Widow. 

And why should I doubt it, since it is so, that even an unjust and ungodlyJudge will redress the Grievances of the Oppressed, shall not the Best andMost Christian Government exercise its power, for suppressing and reformingintollerable Evils, Oppressions, and Disorders, seeing the Wellfare andProsperity of the whole Nation is as it were Intail'd to such an Act ofJustice and Mercy. It is said of Faith, Hope, and Charity, That thegreatest of these is Charity; yes, if a Man had all Faith, and all Hope, (both which are most excellent and necessary) yet it availeth nothing, ifCharity be wanting. And since 'tis a Maxim, _That the best of Men cannot beUncharitable_: I chearfully hope, that my humble Proposals for an Act ofCharity, will not be contemn'd by our Greatest Worthies, since now in ourview, the Wealth and Prosperity of the Nation, is in pursuit of the same. 

I would not flatter my self or others, but do confidently believe, Thatwhat with the Decrease of Poor People, The happy Reformation, and totalRestriction of Beggers, Vagrants, Nurses of Debauchery, _&c. _ The yearlyincrease of Ten or Twelve Hundred Thousand Pounds, which now will be keptat home, that before went beyond the Seas for Linnen; The great Improvementof Lands; The Exportation of Linnen of our own growth, _&c. _ The worth andadvantage of the whole cannot amount to less than Two or three MillionsSterling, _per Annum_, to the Nation: and over and above many livespreserved, and (with Gods blessing on the means) many souls saved; which, if so, certainly it will be the best Bargain and happiest that ever theNation made, all circumstances considered; Because where so much Money isdisburs'd as will compass this great Wealth (without which it is almostimpossible to be attain'd, ) our Posterity will have it for nothing; yea, the present Inhabitants have their Purchase Money still amongst themselves, as it were, _in their own Sacks with their Corn_, seeing we Buy not thisprofitable Expedient of other Nations; which, if we were obliged to do, tobe sure they would make us pay _dearly_ for it. 

But suppose neither of these Advantages were to be reap'd for our Money, only the Poor provided for, and Reformation of Vagrants accomplish'd, Mustwe do nothing for Charity? Suppose any Opposers of this Design, were worth5000 l. Or 10000 l. _per Ann. _ a piece, Can they be certain, that none oftheir Posterity may within 200 years come to Poverty? Why then should theybe unwilling now to contribute freely, seeing the Method proposed, maysecure both Rich and Poor from Extremity? And how dishonourable is it tothis Kingdom, that so fruitful a Soil as _England_, which by the Industryof its most unuseful Inhabitants, might so easily become the Garden ofEurope, should, by their sloth and obstinacy, lie unimproved? How manyHundred Thousand Beggers, Vagrants, Drones, Nurses of Debauchery, _&c. _ whoare not only a Dishonour, but a great Disadvantage to the Nation, living incontinual sinful Practices against the Laws of God and good Government, depriving themselves of all means of Religious and Civil Education, to thegreat danger of their own Souls; Ill Example of others; and destruction oftheir Posterity, being neither serviceable to the Publick, nor capable ofraising themselves to any better condition, might by this Method, be whollyreform'd, or prevented?

Wherefore upon these several _weighty_ considerations, and for that, besides the _Princely_ Encouragement before-mentioned, I have had theApprobation of that great lover of Ingenuity, The Right Honourable, theLord Viscount _Brouncker_, President of the _Royal Society_, who waspleas'd to peruse my Proposals, and express his Sentiments very favourablythereupon; As also having received by letter some considerable and pressingIncitements, to proceed from an Eminent publick spirited Divine, theReverend, Dr. _John Beale_, one of His Majesties Chaplains, and a Member ofthe said _Royal Society_. I am therefore embolden'd, particularly toentreat the _Christian_ consideration of the most _grave and piousDivines_, and all the Honourable and Ingenious Associates of that _AugustSociety_ in this matter, and accordingly, to give their Encouragement, Approbation, and Assistance; or otherwise to discover my mistakes, andrectifie any false Measures, which through Inadvertency, or over-zeal, tothe design I may have committed, by publishing some more _Feazible Methods_from their better improved Reason, whereby I shall at once be confuted andinstructed; and though failing in the means, shall not miss of my desiredEnd, viz. _The Glory of God, the Prosperity of the Nation, and the HappyReformation of many thousands, who are a dishonour to Both. _

FINIS.