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unemployed and though we have not capital to keep an unlimited number of wheels in employment, yet there is no limit to the number which may be thus distributed, to women who could not afford to pay the full price of them at once, although they may be able to find employment for them. How far it may not be too sanguine to look forward to the establishment of a yarn-market in the neighbourhood, I will not venture to pronounce; but I think it likely that some women will be found able to purchase their own flax, and to wait some time for opportunities of sending the yarn to market. We have yet also to try the comparative profitableness of different kinds of yarn; and whether the manufac ture of it into linen will afford a profit sufficient to counterbalance the greater slowness of the return. The latter measure I would by no means récommend at the beginning of the experiment, as the simplicity of the process is essentially necessary to ensure its' success. We may also have occasion to provide some kind of spinning-school, for the instruction of children whose mothers are incapable of teaching them.

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No. I.

FIRST REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE
OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

SECTION I.

Of the Advantages to be expected from the Institu tion of Friendly Societies.

OF all the schemes that have been devised for the relief of the poor, and for combining with that relief the general improvement of their morals and condition, none seem to hold out fairer prospects of advantage than the institution of "Friendly Societies for providing support “in sickness and old age, by small weekly or monthly "contributions from their wages." Such an institution has an evident tendency to promote thrift and foresight, to excite habits of reflection upon the calamities to which our nature is subject, and to substitute a degree of seriousness in the place of that thoughtlessness and want of consideration that suffers old age and sickness to surprise their unhappy victims, without provision or preparation. Nor are these the only moral effects to be expected from such establishments. Every subscription is an act, not only of prudence, but of benevolence and charity. It extends the views of the individual beyond himself, it teaches practically the duty of providing for the wants of others as well as our own, it binds the different members of the Society together by mutual acts of kindness and ob

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ligation, each member being dependent on the aid, and each contributing to the occasional necessities of every other; and the spirit of benevolence once excited, daily finds new opportunities of exercise, improving at once the virtue of the individual, and contributing to the happiness of those around him*. "Some plans (says a judicious advocate for these institutions) "which have been devised for the maintenance "of the poor, have a tendency to depress energy, and to promote idleness and inattention to futurity; but it is to the credit of "these Friendly Societies that they have industry, foresight, and philanthropy for their basis."

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In other points of view, the good policy of such institutions is not less conspicuous. sums which constitute the fund of relief against the season of adversity, are probably rescued from idle, perhaps vicious expenditure, and can scarcely be felt as a diminution of any article of domestic comfort. The good dispositions

*This might appear visionary, if it were not proved by actual experience. In the observations in the account of the Castle Eden Friendly Society (printed in the 1st vol. of the Reports of the London Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor) it is stated as a fact, "That since the poor of that neigbourhood have been associated for each other's support, they have, in more instances than one, been known to collect little sums among themselves, to present to their sick and necessitous neighbours, over and above the allowance from the funds of the Society;" which (says the author of the Observations) as far as I know, is an effect of philanthropy derived from the institution.

+ Mr. Cowes, p. 64.

The funds raised by these societies, may be considered as so much money saved from the ale-house. 3 Bath Rep. 347.

of the rich to relieve the wants and promote the happiness of their poorer neighbours, meet with assistance and direction; and an opportunity of friendly intercourse between the different classesof society is afforded, by their becoming honorary members*. They can thus contribute most essentially to the support and prosperity of these institutions, not only by subscription, but by occasional counsel and advice; at the same time, the poor are provided with a fund for their, support, not depending for its existence on the precarious and fluctuating resource of voluntary charity.

Another most important advantage may be derived from a judicious application of the funds of these societies. It will appear in the sequel of this Report, that, in order to secure their permanence and stability, it is necessary they should always have a fund in hand beyond the exigency of present demands, in order to answer occasional emergencies. This fund (which should never be suffered to be idle) or a

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**Resolved, "That Honorary Members shall not receive any other benefit from this Society than the pleasure of pro"moting and contributing to the happiness and comfort of their "poorer neighbours." 16th Rule of a Friendly Society, instituted at Collon, under the auspices of the Speaker of the House of Commons, in the month of June last.-In England, there are instances in which the honorary members make it a point to attend the annual dinners of these societies. One gentleman in particular has been mentioned to us, from undoubted authority, who, though engaged in a multiplicity of the most important business, and in a high political station, never suffers it to prevent his attendance at the Anniversary Dinner of the Society to which he belongs; and when any extraordinary pressure of business detains him in London. beyond the usual time of setting out, he travels by night in the mail-coach, rather than fail in the performance of his gagement.

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