distance from each other, it might prevent a great number of robberies, and many a foul murder.

Another benefit to be derived from these sources is, that when provisions grew cheaper, the principal objection to introducing machinery, to facilitate work in our manufactories, would be in a good measure done away, as people obliged thereby to enter into another branch of the business, whereby their gettings would be curtailed, might yet be able to live.

One or two improvements which should have been mentioned before, I shall introduce here; the first is, the establishing shops in each village, where the poor may be supplied with the most nccessary articles of subsistence at prime cost, like that established at Mongewell, in Oxfordshire, under the auspices of the benevolent Bishop of Durham, "where," says Mr. Pratt," the poor of that and three adjoining "small parishes got at prime cost for ready money, "bacon, cheese, candles, soap, salt, &c. which was "procured from wholesale dealers. By which there

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was a saving to the poor of 21 per cent. in several "of the most important articles of life." If such a plan was adopted throughout the nation it would prove a vast benefit. I have often thought of the homely appellation given to the little shopkeepers who sell out their goods at an extraordinarý profit, by a person whose memory I venerate, when speaking of the advanced price the poor were obliged to give, when they bought (which must generally be the case) articles in small quantities. He always called them

beggar-makers. And is there not too much reason for terming them such? If their profits are equal to the savings at the Mongewell shop, is it possible for a poor labourer who has a family, and must purchase of them, ever to live in any degree of comfort? Here they get a little credit, and being always in debt, they dare not go elsewhere. I have known a person of this description constantly attend the vestry when the poor were paid, to receive their little pittance, and then they were entirely at his mercy till the next pay-day came round.

Another improvement I would suggest, to remedy in some degree the waste of good land in cutting canals; which is, that a clause be introduced into every act passed for that purpose, to oblige those who perform the work, to remove to a proper distance all the good mould or earth they find on or near the surface, in order that it may afterwards be placed on the top, and sides of the banks, by which means they would soon produce grass, &c. as before: but instead of doing so, whatever comes out of the bottom of the canal remains uppermost, as far as my observation goes, and the banks are thus rendered totally unproductive, if not for ever, at least for a number of years.

Another thing I shall here mention was hinted to me a few days ago, by a respectable dealer in timber, of very good judgment in his profession. With regard to lopping timber trees, oak should never be cropped, or have the head taken off, as is too comf

mon a case: gentlemen had much better, he is sure, give one half the trees to the tenant, to preserve the remainder, than suffer them to be thus ruined. And as to elm, he says, it is very prejudicial to lop or trim them up in the spring; it should be always done between Michaelmas and Christmas; neither should they be trimmed so high up as is often the case.

I have thus loosely thrown together my thoughts on these subjects, and humbly hope they may fall into the hands of some who will improve upon my hints, or adopt them, for their own benefit, and that of the nation at large. Those who have already or yet may adopt measures so well calculated to promote the real interests of the community, will stand high in the esteem, not only of the present generation, but of unborn millions, till time shall be no more; while those who may, from a thoughtless indifference to the interests of others, or from a worse motive, neglect, or oppose such beneficial arrangements, will roll down the stream of time into total oblivion, (to say no worse,) and be forgotten like the ages before the flood.

May there be found, O Almighty Creator and Ruler of the Universe, some man (or men) who have sufficient patriotism and power to get such salutary regulations sanctioned and enforced by the supreme authority in our land: and may our gratitude to the Giver of all Good flow unceasingly, while we join (with our hearts at least, if denied a voice) in the charming chorus and seraphic strains of Handel, and sing "Hail! hail! Brittania, happy land!

"Salvation prospers in her hand.”

-Monopoly: its dreadful effects.-Happiness of Acasto and his tenants formerly.Surrounding country described.-Lawn: effects of monopoly thereon.-Sabrina's lamen tation, prayer, and prophesy.-Former happy state of the hamlet.-Melancholy alteration. Much less produce than heretofore.Consequent dearth of provisions.—Poor'stax mightily increased.-Bad effects on the spirit, and morals of the poor.-A simile.—— Application.