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missed from the Royal Infirmary will obtain relief, as has been already noticed. But there is no provision for a numerous class of the same description, whom disease or old age has disabled from working, and who have never sought admission into the Royal Infirmary.

Besides these, there are multitudes of widows, and fatherless children, and friendless strangers, who, though not diseased, are in circumstances which irresistibly solicit the aid of the benevolent. And, in times of scarcity, or when constant employment cannot be obtained by the labouring poor, are there not many thousands who, without such aid, must be in want of daily food? Nay, is it not a fact, that, at all times, a considerable number of our fellow-creatures suffer the miseries of pinching poverty from want of employment, merely because they know not what to do? They have no friend to point out to them a method of subsistence, or to aid them in procuring it.

Many advantages would accompany the operations of a Society who should have it as their object, not merely to give money to the poor, but to take what may be called a fatherly charge of them; who should aid them with their counsel, furnish them with clothes and other necessaries, when totally destitute, and be careful that all their exertions tend to encourage industry, when the objects of their bounty are able, in any degree, to earn their own bread.

In forming a new Society, the plan originally proposed was merely to provide for those who labour under chronical diseases, or are otherwise incapacitated for labour. But upon mature deliberation, it has been thought more advisable, as it certainly will be more extensively useful, to establish a Society for the relief of all who cannot in any other lawful way obtain necessary subsistence. The attempt is arduous. But what

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obstacles may not be overcome by zeal, and diligence, and perseverance, depending on Him who" preserveth the strangers, and who relieveth,the fatherless and the widow," while the hearts of all are in his hand? There will be no want of funds for carrying into effect a plan so extensively useful and beneficent. And if it should require an hundred persons to visit so great a number of families, and to manage the business with every de. gree of care and attention that is necessary for the comfort of the Poor, and for the satisfaction of the Contributors, it will be no difficult matter to obtain them.

The following are some of the proposed regulations.

Quarterly and Annual Contributers to any amount, and those who give at once a donation of Five Guineas, shall be accounted Members of the Society.

The business of the Society shall be conducted by twelve Directors, of whom five shall be a quorum. The same number shall retire annually, and be replaced by five members of the Society, to be nominated by the Directors to the General Meeting for their approbation or refusal.

The Directors are empowered to appoint a Treasurer and Clerk, and as many assistant visitors, being members of the Society, as they shall find necessary, two for each small district, both of whom shall in general visit the poor under their charge. But they may, on some occasions, visit separately for their mutual accommodation.

The Treasurer and Clerk shall have a voice in the meetings of the Directors, and shall not be changed; but shall continue in office as long as they find it convenient, and give satisfaction to the Directors, and to the Society at large.

The Directors, Treasurer, and Clerk, in common with the other Visitors, shall take charge of small

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Districts, to be visited weekly. They shall likewise meet regularly once a week, at such time and place as may be found most couvenient; when they shall examine the lists given in by all the Visitors, so as to enable them in a judicious and discerning manner to give a due proportion of the funds to each District, and general instructions with regard to the distribution of it. Bar the Visitors shall have a discretionary power to deal out the sums allotted to them, in the manner which they think best adapted to the necessities of all the Applicants.

The operations of the Society are confined to the City and Suburbs within the Toll bars, and places at - equal distances. A district of a convenient size, not very extensive, is to be allotted to every two of the Visitors, and to be so exactly defined as to prevent any danger of mistaking its limirs. Those Visitors shall either reside in their own Districts, or so near them as to prevent their duty from being burdensome; and they shall take charge of all the persons who are objects of the Society's boun. ty. within their own bounds, but have no immediate concern with any other; and their weekly visitations are indispensable.

Persons who stand in need of the Society's bounty, and those who wish to recommend them, whether Members or not, are invited to apply, at any time, to the Assistant Visitors of the bounds where the poor people live; and, if they know not where to find them, any of the Directors or other Visitors will give their names and places of residence. A state of facts, written in any form, will in general be necessary, but not in every case indispensable.

Description of LERWICK. DEAR M -N,

I SPENT a week in the month of December last year at Lerwick,

the capital of Ultima Thule; and notwithstanding its northen latitude, and variable climate, I could have wished that my stay had been protracted somewhat longer. The winter is the season of mirth and festivity in, that country, and business is altogether laid aside until the white and downy mantle of nature is withdrawn, and returning spring permits a communication with others.

Although my stay was but short, yet from the frequent and easy nature of my intercourse with many of them, I had an opportunity of seeing a good deal of the character and disposition of the Lerwegians. I think they are naturally kind and hospitable; for they seem to feel a pleasure in shewing civility to strangers even where no interested motive can be supposed to influence them; and when a person has been formally introduced to their acquaintance, if he be a man of character and agreeable manners, he can literally make their houses his own. Yet several of them confessed to me, that, on the score of hospitality, Lerwick was much inferior to what it had been some years ago, when a few worthies flourished among them, who, like the patriarchs of antiquity, sat before their doors for the express purpose of inviting under their roof the stran ger as he sojourned on his way, and whose chief delight consisted in diffusing happiness around them.

The inhabitants of Lerwick are extremely loyal, and feel a lively interest in the glory and independence of the British nation. I never heard Lord Nelson's name mentioned but with rapturous enthusiasm, and I have repeatedly seen tears trickle down the cheeks of the fair, at the recital of any new instance of his bravery os patriotism.

The gentlemen are intelligent, and fond of disputation, particularly on political subjects, which seem to engross the whole of their attention.

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The ladies are modest and sensible, and those of the first class have their minds polished by education. Indeed it did not appear to me that they suffered in the least, by a comparison with the Belles of this metropolis, whose opportunities of improvement are so greatly superior.

Although they live in apparent good fellowship with each other, yet I think I could discover among the people of Lerwick a disposition to censure the conduct, and envy the success of their neighbours. This is one of the constant attendants on all small communities, and it is more likely to be carried too far, in situations where there exists a similarity of object and pursuit, without a union of interests among the individuals. This propensity, if it does exist, seems to arise more out of the necessity of the case than from any natural turn to be censorious; and under opposite circumstances, I have seldom met with men of more enlarged and liberal sentiments.

Brassy Sound, the harbour where we lay, is large, safe, and commodious. It is formed by the receding shores of the island of Brassy, and the opposite main. The South entry by which we went and returned can be safely approached at any time, but the northern passage appears to be narrow and intricate, and, as I was informed, ought never to be attempted, but with a leading wind, and under the guidance of an experienced pilot.

The town is about half a mile long, terminated at one end by Fort Charlotte, where there is a garrison, and at the other by a small, but rather abrupt hill. It is very irregu. larly built, although containing several very good houses. There is one main street, or rather row, of very unequal dimensions, extending from one end of it to the other, on the side towards the sea. In some places there are houses built on the very

beach, defended by a kind of bulwark or wharf projecting into the sea, and forming in these places a kind of double street. But as uniformity is never studied in the construction of these edifices; when viewed from the bay, they give the whole a whimsical and grotesque appear

ance.

The country in the neighbourhood of Lerwick, is extremely bleak and ill cultivated; but I should recollect, that winter is the season of general sterility, although indeed it is said, that at any season of the year, the environs of the capital are but ill calculated to impress the traveller with a favourable idea of the agricultural advancement of these islands; yet if deficient in the more pleasing accessories of recluse retirement, they abound in the grand scenes of gloomy solitude. A tempestuous and ever varying sky, high and rugged rocks, and the useless roar of the sea are objects of peculiar delight to some minds, and in the winter months may be enjoyed in Shetland in the utmost perfection.

Yours, &c.

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pation than this last. The states of Europe are overthrown: they game not the less. Pompeii comes forth from its grave: they game still. The earth shakes; Vesuvius vomits forth flames: yet the gaming table is not left. The splendid ruins of Pastum, a few miles distaut, shining as it were before every eye, must be discovered by strangers; for the Neapolitans are gaming.-The greatest dukes and princes are keepers of gambling-tables.

A Prince Rufan

do, one of the most considerable noblemen of the country, keeps the first gaming house in Naples; and besides his there are twenty others of the same description. Thither all the great world are driving at the approach of evening. Strangers must be presented by some acquaintance; yet this is only for form. The stranger makes a slight inclination to the host, and the latter as slightly returns it; but it is a rule that not a word is uttered. In other respects it is like being at a coffee-house: or worse than a coffee-house, for there one can have what one will for money; but here are no refreshments, except perhaps a glass of water after having ordered it ten times of the

servant.

A large but ill-furnished drawingroom is the rendezvous of rouge et noir and faro. A pile of chairs heaped up in a corner of the room, proves that a numerous company is expected. Scarcely have the gaudy throng rush ed in, when they seat themselves, with greedy eyes fixed on the heaps of gold which glitter on the table. These meetings are called converzationes, but no one here must begin to converse. We hardly dare whisper single words: if any thing more is attempted, an universal hiss commands deep silence and attention to the mysteries of the game. Old women, particularly, sit either gather ing up money with their long bony

fingers; or with their green outstretched eyes fixed on the rouge et noir table, lamenting the capriciousness of fortune. Even handsome young women here degrade the dig. Lity of their sex, setting beauty and the Graces at defiance. The princess N., for example, is a professed game. ster. Many others come to make new conquests, or to secure their old ones; in both which businesses they lay no restraint on themselves. A stranger is at the first look apprised of each lady's favourite; the husbands are either absent, or concern themselves not the least about the women; for of the execrated Italian jealousy here is not a single vestige. Even divines and children game; for example, the daughter of the mar. quis Berio, who is not more than eight years old. The marquis is one of the most enlightened noblemen.

Some maintain that this degrading conduct brings the prince Rufando yearly five thousand ducats. Others say that he receives no more than twelve ducats a day for converting his palace into a gaming-house. He himself does not hold the bank; but perhaps he has a share in it, and so both accounts may be true. The holder of the bank is in his way esteemed an honest man. This, at least, is certain; that he plays with. out suspicion; and sometimes, by express desire, tells out the sum gained twice, as an attentive by-stander assured me he had seen. Another, no less to be depended on, formed me that the winner must in general be very quick in taking up the money gained; for if he does but turn round, some neighbour will ease him of the trouble. Perhaps this was only done through inadvertence, but done it is.

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Whoever has been once introduced to these parties, may go daily in and out as he would to a tavern ; and can in his turn present other strangers,

whose

whose names are no longer remem

factures.

bered than his own is, unless he plays Estimated Amount of British Manuvery often and very high, for that is the only possible way of attracting the attention of the polite circles in Naples.

Thus, till two o'clock in the morning they play away their time, money, health, and property. They then drive home, and sleep till noon; at which time they take a ride in the Villa Reale, where it is now the fashion to catch at the fresh air. The young gentlemen drive thither in a curricle, in order to shew their horses. Two, or at latest three, is the hour of dinner; after this follows a walk, either in the Santa Lu cia, or upon the Magdelene bridge, or wherever the sun shines in the winter. They would, in reality, even care very little in their minds about the sun; except for the sake of displaying their charms, their dress, or their carriages, which last are of great importance to the Neapolitans. It is not absolutely necessary that these should be either costly or ele. gant; if they only appear tolerable, with a pair of horses to them, it is enough; for nothing is dreaded more here than the terrible evil of going on foot. Thus they say of any one

IT

From Reinhard's British Commerce.

Tis acknowledged that many of these estimates must be essentially defective, from the want of public documents respecting important branches of trade, However, they serve to shew, in a general view, the relative extent of our principal manufactures, as in the following sum

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who has ruined himself by gaming, Some Account of the British Trade in

not "Poor man! he is starving ;" but, "Poor man! he goes on foot." The Neapolitan horses have survived their fame: since the French, who have a laudable passion for every thing they can steal, have carried off their finest stallions. After this they repair to the theatre, to chatter; or home, to kill the time in solitude till the wished for hour again approaches. This is the daily round of a fashionable Neapolitan. Some among them (prince Angro, for example) who possesses eight or ten villas, yet never stir out of Naples.

GERMANY.

From the same.

BY the way of Tonningen, Ger

many, and all the countries of middle Europe, receive large quantities of British woollens, cottons, hardwares, pottery, malt liquors, sugar, rum, coffee &c. The late and present war have occasioned, on most parts of the continent, a prodigious demand for the woollens, cottons, and hardware of Great Britain.

The produce and manufactures of Great Britain exported to Germany, with the exception of consignments to particular mercantile houses, are

sold

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