"fo powerfully to encourage idlenefs and immorality; "to difcourage the induftrious poor, and perpetuate

mendicity, with all its attendant evils, too much "pains cannot be taken to guard the public against "a practice fo fatal in its confequences to fociety. "All who are defirous of contributing to the "relief of the poor, fhould be invited to fend their "charitable donations to be diftributed by those, who "being at the head of a public Institution, esta"blifhed for taking care of the poor, must be fupposed best acquainted with their wants.

Or if "individuals fhould prefer distributing their own "charities, they ought at least to take the trouble "to enquire after fit objects, and to apply their "donations in such a manner as not to counteract "the measures of a public and useful establishment.” P. 123.

An account of an establishment at Chaillot, near Paris, which I have feen in a Bath newspaper, is fubjoined, as calculated to excite intereft, and deferving of attention.

"This is an inftitution wholly independent of "charitable purposes, in which men and women, "after they have reached 70 years of age, or fooner "if infirm, can, by right, and without asking the "favour of any one, place themselves, in order to "pafs the remainder of their days in comfort and "repose. A fubfcription is the effential and indif

68

penfable condition of acquiring the right of ad"miffion, according to which, every fubfcriber muft

66

pay, regularly and punctually, 1od. per month, "from 10 till 30 years of age; Is. 3d. per month, "from 30 to 50; 1s. 8d. per month from 50 to 66 70 years of age. Thefe different payments will "amount to 451. which must be completely paid

"before a person can acquire the right of admiffion. "Hence, if any one more than ten years of age should "offer as a fubfcriber, he or she must depofit at the "time of subscription, and according to his or her age, the fum which would have been paid if the fubfcription had commenced at ten. In order to give encouragement to benevolence, all perfons "who may be difpofed to fubfcribe, may transfer "their right to as many perfons as they have made "fubfcriptions, on condition that the perfon who "fhall be benefited by the transfer, fhall be, as "nearly as poffible, of the fame age as his benefactor, " and that he fhall not be admitted before he has "reached 70 years of age, and paid the 451. This "transferred fubfcription is extinguished by the "death of the fubftitute. The funds are placed on "fecurities, and fubjected to an administration, which "is in every respect fafe and undeniable. The

"house of M. Duchailla, the governor of this infti“tution, is most beautifully fituated at Chaillot, in "the Champs Elysées, about two miles from Paris, "commanding a most extensive view of the city, the "Seine, and the Champ de Mars. In front there "is a very large and elegant parterre, terminating "in an extenfive kitchen garden; behind, there is "another large houfe, formerly the monaftery of St. "Perine, which also belongs to this establishment; "and a field of about four acres, bordered by a "well-cultivated garden. In this establishment are "nearly 100 aged perfons, male and female, whose "manners and appearance evidently befpeak that "they have figured in the genteeler walks of life, "and whofe countenances indicate the most perfect "happiness and contentment.

Since this work has been in the prefs, the Newfpapers have published "Reports from the House of "Commons, upon the ftate of Mendicity in the "Metropolis." Thefe will no doubt appear in a fuller form of publication fome time hence; and cannot fail to excite the strongest feeling of interest in the mind of every benevolent inquirer.

FINIS.

Printed by Richard Cruttwell,
Bath Chronicle Office, St. James's-Street.

ADDENDA.

Page 35. Massinger probably referred to Saint Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, xiii. 2. "Be not forgetful "to entertain strangers, for thereby some have en"tertained Angels unawares." St. Paul may refer to Genesis xviii.

Page 220. The Reports of the Committee are now printed at large.

t

Since this work has been in the prefs, the Newfpapers have published "Reports from the House of "Commons, upon the ftate of Mendicity in the

Metropolis." Thefe will no doubt appear in a fuller form of publication fome time hence; and cannot fail to excite the strongest feeling of interest in the mind of every benevolent inquirer.

4

Printed by Richard Cruttwell,
Bath Chronicle Office, St. James's-Street.