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and zealous in fupporting them when brought forward by others. Unwearied in his exertions to advance the commercial interests of Ireland, as well as her agriculture and fisheries, (particularly the latter,) in his endeavours to promote which, and to render them at once a fource of national wealth, and a nursery of feamen, he nobly hazarded, and finally facrificed a confiderable portion of his property, which will long be remembered as a proof the moft convincing, of patriotifm, liberality, and difinterefted nefs-as the act of laft feffion which he brought into parliament for erecting light houfes on the coafts of this kingdom, will ever evince the benevolence and philanthropy of his heart. The fplendid fortune he poffeffed in this country was expended in the improvement of his eftates, in generous encouragement to his tenantry, in works of national ornament and utility, and in the promotion of literature and the arts; having an understanding highly cultivated, and a tafte refined as well by travel as by deep refearch, he was the friend of fcience, the munificent patron of learning and the learned; to him does the royal Irish academy owe much of its prefent fplendor and permanency, and its tranfactions are indebted to him for fome of its moft ingenious effays.Loving Ireland with the ardour of a true patriot, and anxious to render it, as formerly, the peculiar feat of learning, the temple of fcience, and favourite abode of the mules, he was one of the principal founders of the royal Irish Academy, which was inflituted for the advancement of the ftudies of fcience, polite literature and antiquities in Ireland," A. D 1786, and by which, in gratitude for fuch obligations, he was immediately elected treasurer, and a member of its committee, an honour which his zeal in its fervice, and his attachment to learning, and the diffufion of knowledge, juftly entitled him to→ fuch was Mr. Conyngham in his public character in private, all who had the happiness of enjoying a thare in his friendship, or were connected with him by the ties of relationship or confangui

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nity, ever experienced him affectionate. amiable, hofpitable and fincere; nor was he lefs diftinguifhed for that refined fenfibility which exalts and elevates the human character, which teaches us "to feel another's woe," and "enjoy the luxury of doing good." Like him whom the poet has immortalized, often has he been difcovered" doing good by ftealth, and blushing to find it fame," " vifiting the houfe of mourning, chearing the orphan, and making the widow's heart to fing for joy."

"To clothe the naked, feed the hungry, wipe

The guiltlefs tear from lone affliction's

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Thefe were the principal objects to which his attention was ever directed, and conftituted the chief pleasures and employments of a heart at once active and humane! Poffeffing virtues fo honourable to himself, fo beneficial to fociety, can we be furprized if they endeared him to all when living, and have rendered his death the cause of general forrow, and national regret; fuch virtues we may juftly fay with the poet,

"Have feulptured out his monument of praife,"

and in the recollection of his grateful countrymen, the remembrance of them,

"Will furvive, to time's remoteft day, While drops the buft, and boaftful tombs decay."

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Some Account of a new Work, intitled, Effays Experimental, Political, Eco nomical, and Philofophical. By Benjamin Count of Rumford, F. R. S. Privy-Counsellor of State, Lieutenant. General, &c. in the Service of his Maft Serene Highness the Elector Palatine, Reigning Duke of Bavaria.

BEFORE

rendering a public fervice to our country, and deferves grateful acknowledg ments not only from the Government, but from every individual who wishes to fee his property fecured from depreand tranquility of fociety preferved, as dations, and the internal good order the beft means of infuring that fecurity.

The alarming diftreffes of the poor have lately been fo general throughout the kingdom, owing to various caufes, but more efpecially to the high prices of the firft neceffaries of life, that various methods have been adopted for their temporary relief, and a fpirit of univerfal benevolence feems to prevail more and more every day; but ftill it wants to be properly directed, and to be rendered effective in every part of the kingdom, by fome wife and permanent fyftem, calculated to promote, and if poffible to enforce induftry, by striking at the root of common begging.

EFORE we proceed to the inveftigation of the contents of this very ufeful and important work, it may be neceffary to inform our Readers, that the Author's extenfive plan, when completed, will form two volumes in octavo, but that fome of the fubjects of which they will be compofed being highly interefting at the prefent moment, he has very judiciously determined to publifh each Effay feparately. Accordingly, of the ten Effays propofed to be comprifed in the two volumes, four have already appeared, and have moft defervedly attracted the attention and In thefe circumftances the work, part approbation of perfons of the firft dif- of which is now under our confideratitinction in this kingdom; and in pro- on, fupplies us with a variety of useful portion as they become more generally information, which is communicated to known, we will venture to predict, the public on fuch eafy terms, that we will be read and admired, and many of warmly recommend the perufal and the the inftructions be carried into executi- ftudy of the whole to all perfons of proon, by the feveral claffes of the com- perty, and fhall only think it our duty munity who, as poffeffors of property, to select fuch material facts, hints, and whether real or perfonal, will find obfervations, as are peculiarly intereftthemfelves deeply interefted in the fa- ing to the community at large, and lutary measures propofed for cafing will afford rational amufement to our them of a very heavy burthen, now Readers. imposed on them for a defective fupport of the poor.

Introductory to the firft Effay, the benevolent Author gives a fhort account So far are they from providing pro- of himself, by which it appears, "that perly for the wants of the poor, and in the year 1784 he obtained his Mafecuring their happinefs and comfort, jetty's permiflion to enter into the ferobjects which Count Rumford has prin- vice of the Elector Palatine, by whom cipally in view, and, with a benevolence he has fince, been employed in various which does him honour, has ftudied to fervices, particularly in arranging his accomplish, that we fee in the metro- military affairs, and introducing a new polis, and in all the foot-paths and fyftem of order, difcipline, and economy public roads furrounding it, groups of among his troops. Having effected this beggars, exhibiting fcenes of wretch- fervice he was led, by a natural tranednels, and furnishing examples of fition, to the more extenfive plan of a indolence which plainly demonftrate reform in the civil adminiftration, of the truth of our Author's affertion, the utmost importance, "the total abo"That the fubject, however interefting lition of mendicity," or the trade of it be to mankind, has not yet been begging, which was prevalent in Bavainveftigated with that fuccefs that could have been wished." Every light, therefore, which can be thrown upon it, is is 2s. 2d.

N O T E. *The price of each separate Effay

ria to a degree almoft incredible, at the time when his measures for putting an end to it were adopted.

It fhould feem, by the neceffity of ébtaining leave from our moft Gracious Sovereign to enter into the fervice of the Duke of Bavaria, that our Author was originally an Officer in the British Army, and, if we are not mifinformed, a native of America, whofe family name is Thompson, and the title he now bears we prefume to have been one of the honorary rewards conferred on him by the Duke of Bavaria, for his very important fervices. Be this as it may, we are happy to find talents fo fuccessfully employed for the benefit of another country, likely, by the prefent publication, to become highly inftrumental to the further establishment of Houfes of Induftry, and other meafures already adopted, but fufceptible of great improvement in Ireland, if the excellent regulations fuccefsfully carried into execution by the Count in Bavaria, are duly attended to.

The fecond Chapter of this Effay gives an account of the preparations made for putting an end to mendicity in Bavaria; and though the plan was executed by military aid, and confequently the cantonment of the cavalry in the country towns and villages was one of the preparations, yet this meafure, totally inadmiffible in Ireland, would not be required with us; for if the Legiflature was to adopt the fame fyftem of abolishing mendicity in Duhlin and its environs, the civil power would be found fufficiently adequate to the purpose. At prefent, the begging trade is fupported by the different opinions entertained, by perfons relieving common beggars, concerning the real objects of charity, and the mode of adminiftering relief to the poor; but if all other collections or diftribution of pecuniary donations, except thofe to be eftablished by law, were prohibited, the Atreets would foon be cleared of idle vagrants. Varying, therefore, nothing but the public officers of juftice employed in the execution of the Count's plan, we can fee no reason why it thould not be adopted; and as it was attended with fuch complete fuccefs, we thal

take the liberty to infert the narraun of the tranfactions, as it is given ä Chapter IV.

"New Year's Day having, fros time immemorial, been confidered in Bavaria as a day peculiarly set apart for giving alms, and the beggars never failing to be all out upon that occaf on, I chofe that moment, as being the most favourable, for beginning my ope rations. Early in the morning of the 1ft of Jan. 1790, the Officers and non commiffioned officers of the three regi ments of infantry in garrifon, were itationed in the different ftreets, where they were directed to wait for farther orders.

66 Having, in the mean time, affem bled at my lodgings the Field Officer and all the Chief Magiftrates of the town, I made them acquainted with my intention to proceed that very morn ing to the execution of a plan I had formed for taking up the beggars, and providing for the poor, and asked their immediate affiftance. To fhow the pub lic that it was not my wish to carry this measure into execution by military force alone (which might have rendered the measure odious), but that I was difpof ed to show all becoming deference to the civil authority, I begged the Ma giftrates to accompany me, and the Field Officers of the garrifon, in the ex ecution of the firft and moft difficult part of the undertaking, that of arreft ing the beggars. This they muft readi ly confented to, and we immediately fallied out into the streets, myself at companied by the Chief Magiftrate of the town, and each of the Field Officen by an inferior Magiftrate.

to

"We were hardly got into the freet when we were accofted by a beggar, who afked us for alms. I went up him, and laying my hand gently upon his thoulders, told him, that from thence forward begging would not be permit ted in Munich; that if he really food in need of affiftance, which would in mediately be enquired into, the necef fary afliftance fhould certainly be given him, but that begging was forbid; and if he was detected in it again, he would be feverely punished. I then deliver ed him over to an orderly ferjeant, who

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was following me, with directions to onduct him to the Town Hall, and deiver him into the hands of thofe he hould find there to receive him; and hen turning to the Officers and Magitrates who accompanied me, I begged they would take notice, that I had myfelf, with my own hands, arrefted the irft beggar we had met; and I requeftid them not only to follow my example themfelves, by arrefting all the beggars they fhould meet with, but that hey would alfo endeavour to perfuade others, and particularly the Officers and non-commiffioned officers and foldiers of the garrifon, that it was by no means derogatory to their character as foldiers, or in any ways difgraceful to them, to affift in fo useful and laudable in undertaking. Thefe gentlemen having cheerfully and unanimoufly promifed to do their ntmoft to fecond me in this bufinefs, difperfed into the different parts of the town, and with the affiftance of the military, which they found every where waiting for orders, the town was fo thoroughly cleared of beggars in lefs than an hour, that not one was to be found in the ftreets.

"Those who were arrefted were conducted to the Town hall, where their names were infcribed in printed lifts provided for the purpose, and they were then difmiffed to their own lodgings, with directions to repair the next day to the newly erected military workhoufe (a Houfe of Induftry, fo called becaufe the inftitution was principally defigned as a manufactory for cloathing the army, and its capital fund was furnished from the military cheft), where they would find comfortable warm rooms, a good warm dinner every day, and work for all thofe who were in a condition to labour. They were likewife told, that a committee would be appointed to enquire into their circumftances, and to grant them fuch regular weekly allowance in money, in alms, as they should ftand in need of, which was accordingly done."

In another part of this effay, the Count relates that ten thousand vagabonds, foreigners and natives, were actually arrested in Bavaria in the courfe of four years from the commencement of

the measures carried into execution for putting an end to mendicity, and clearing the country of beggars; and that in taking up the beggars in Munich, and providing for thofe who flood in need of affiftance, no lefs than 2,600 of the one defcription and the other were entered upon the lifts in one week though the whole number of inhabitants probably does not amount to more than 60,000, including the fuburbs; and the public good confequences refulting from this reform were, that robberies and petty thefts, which are always prevalent where beggars are numerous, almoft totally ceafed, and fome of thofe monfters who expofed their own children, naked and almoft ftarved, in the ftreets, in order that by their cries and unaffected expreffions of diftref they might move those who paffed by to pity and relieve them, and others who had recourfe to the most diaboli. cal arts, and moft horrid crimes, in the purfuit of their infamous trade, were made fenfible of the enormity of their former conduct, were gradually familiarized to habits of induftry, converted into useful members of fociety, and in the end bleffed their generous benefactor for fnatching them from the jaws of deftruction.

"To fupply a proper fund for this great undertaking, immediately after the general arreft of the beggars at Munich, an addrefs to the inhabitants was publifhed, fetting forth the fatal confequences arifing trom mendicity, giving a very ftriking and juft picture of the character, manners and cuftoms of the hords, of idle and diffolute vagabonds which infefted Munich, and the manner in which they could moft effectually affift in putting an end to an evil equally difgraceful and prejudicial to fociety. This addrefs, which was printed and diftributed gratis, was likewife prefented to all the heads of families in the city, and to many by the Count himfelf.

"This addrefs was accompanied by printed lifts, in which the inhabitants were requested to fet down their names, places of abode, and the fums they chofe to contribute monthly for the fupport of the cftablishment. Thefe fubfcriptions

fubfcriptions being perfectly voluntary, kitchen of the Houfe of Induftry w

might be augmented or diminished at pleasure.

"When the inhabitants had fubfcribed liberally to the fupport of the inftitution, it was but just to fecure them from all further importunity in behalf of the poor. This was promifed, and it was most effectually done, though not without fome difficulty, and a very confiderable expence to the establishment, occafioned by the total abolition of all other public and private collecsions for the poor."

In Chapter V. of the firft Effay we have an account of the different kinds of employment given to the beggars up on their being affembled at the Houfe of Induftry. "As by far the greater part of thefe poor creatures were to tally unacquainted with every kind of ufeful labour, it was neceffary to give them fuch work at firft as was very eafy to be performed, and in which the raw materials were of little value, and then, by degrees, as they became more adroit, to employ them in manufacturing more valuable articles. As hemp is a very cheap commodity, and as the pinning of hemp is eafily learned, particularly when it is defigned for very coarfe and ordinary manufactures, 15,000 pounds weight of that article were purchafed in the Palatinate, and tranfported to Munich; feveral hundred fpinning wheels were provided, and feveral good fpinners, as inftructors, were engaged, and in readinefs, when this Houte of Induftry was opened for the reception of the poor. Ai firft, fo great was their awkwardness, that

they abfolutely ruined almost all the raw materials put into their hands; but at length, by gentle ufage, and encouragement to perfevere with cheerfulnefs in acquiring more fkill, they richly repaid the inftitution for the advances it was obliged to make, and the loffes it fuftained at its firft establishment."

The regulations for feeding them gave the author an opportunity of recommending the establishment of public kitchens, in all great cities and populous towns, for fupplying the poor in general with food at a cheaper rate than they can procure it for themfelves; the

made a public one, and its benefu were extended to all the poor induftriou inhabitants who were not beggars, ba who found it difficult to fupport the felves and families by their labour.

The kitchen was fitted up with all poffible attention, as well to conveni ence as to the economy of fuel. Th will be readily believed by those who are informed, that the whole work of the kitchen is performed, with great eafe, by three cookmaids, and that the daily expence for fire-wood amounts to no more than twelve creutzers, or four pence halfpenny, when dinner is dreffed for 1000 perfons. The number of people who are fed daily from thi kitchen is, at a medium, in fummer, about 1000, and in winter about 1200; frequently, however, there have be more than 1500 at table. "A parti cular account of this kitchen, with draw ings, together with an account of a number of new and very interefting ex periments relative to the economy of fuel, will be annexed to the work." la the mean time, we derive fufficient information from Effays I. and II. to be convinced that the inftitution of public kitchens, upon a great fcale in large towns and upon a smaller in every parifh in the country, would be one of the moft beneficial eftablishments that can be conceived for fociety, and of all others would be the most conducive to the diminution, if not to the total abo lition of begging.

(To be continued in our next.)

Anecdote of Foote and Quin. FOOTE had fignified in his advertise

ments, while he was exhibiting his imitations at one of the Theatres Royal that he would on a particular evening take off Quin, who, being defirous of feeing his own picture, took a place in the flage box, and when the audience had done applauding Foote for the justnefs of the reprefentation, Quin bawic out, with a loud horfe laugh, I'm glad on't by G-d; the poor fellow will get a clean thirt by it."-When Foote retorted from the stage." A clean fhirt, Mafte Quin? that was a very novel thing i your family a few years ago."

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