LETTER CLVII. From the same. Chelsea, Oct. 21, 1811. As you very kindly desire, I will be free enough to express my opinion of your Preface to the Poultry. Let me entreat you not to recommend schools in gaols; they only can be useful in houses of correction, where the mother herself should not be permitted to see her child but in the presence of the matron, and that for a very short time. Children ought never to be suffered to come into a gaol, but upon very particular occasions. Nothing can more certainly ensure their destruction. The frequenting a gaol takes away the dread of being confined in one; the empty obstinate obstreperous mirth exhibited by some; the indifference, and, indeed, shamelessness of others walking about with their irons; the profligacy and indecent expressions with which the ears are every where assailed, must impress the early mind too deep to be totally effaced. I could write a volume on this subject. I have read Mr. Watts's letter, which I return; have long been acquainted with his truly benevolent heart, and the exercise of his philanthropy; but he is too partial to your friend. The great Howard stands alone. I scarcely emit a ray of his excellence, and should be hurt extremely by any comparison; the utmost I aspire to, is an humble imitator. My reason for publishing a work, which has been the labour of many years, will appear in the conclusion. J. N. LETTER CLVIII. From the same. My dear Friend, Monday night, 12 o'clock. I send you a very long prison history, and I wish for your interest with Mr. Urban to give it insertion, all at once if he can, because it is to forward a great purpose; however, if he cannot, we must make two of it; let your preface merely introduce it, and no more, if it is to be all in one magazine; you shall afterwards be regularly supplied with one for every month. I should like to have given my opinion on the system of imprisonment from courts of conscience in agricultural counties, and proving how destructive they are to morals and to health, in increasing poor's rates; and that if the plaintiff recovers his debt, 10s. 6d. has lost more time than the money is worth; but as he seldom or ever does recover the debt, he loses both: it is a species of tyranny vested in standing Commissioners, who have large salaries, directly or indirectly. Lady Lucan sent me her draft for 100l. this morning. So much for prison remarks in the magazine, my friend. Adieu. Yours truly, J. NEILD. LETTER CLIX. DAVID PIKE WATTS, Esq. to Dr. LETTSOM. Dear Sir, Portland-place, Sept. 19, 1811. I thank you for the favour of your present of the three volumes of "Hints on Beneficence," &c. I shall peruse them with attention, although some parts of them (as I see by their titles) are familiar to me, such as the "Samaritan Rules," &c. &c. You have rendered durable service to the community by compiling those particular papers, and by your own valuable hints, admonitions, and excitements. It has occurred to me, that if a small select society were formed on a moderate fund, simply to order and arrange the insertion of the useful Hints, from time to time, in the provincial newspapers, all of which have agents in London, the circulation of such Hints through the counties of this island would enlarge the sphere of beneficence, would ameliorate the condition of the poor; and, by harmonizing the two orders of high and low, render the latter more contented, the former more happy. It will be apparent that such a simple process could not be very expensive nor troublesome; and it need not be observed how powerful is that engine, the press, in disseminating either good or ill impressions. It has been said by an eloquent orator in the senate, "Give me but a free press, and I will defy all weapons," &c. The press in this free country has not been made a sufficient auxiliary in the cause of beneficence; I mean the diurnal prints. Had a well-disposed society, of rather modern institution, expended the sums in newspaper reports which they have incautiously spent in prosecutions, it is considered by some of the friends of that society, that they would more have prompted and promoted Virtue, than they have suppressed Vice, by legal pains and penalties; and this is my individual opinion among others. With this and other constant occurrences in view, it would seem that a new society, few in its members, simple in its rules, practicable in its object, under whatever name it might be constituted, would be well employed in superintending the publication in newspapers universally, such 1 suggestions for the common good as your Hints and the experience of the times strike out and recommend for practice. On the subject of the Sea-Bathing Infirmary, it may, at a proper time, become a consideration whether all the patients should pay five shillings a week for board? This, however, is an important question in the present state of the finances of the Infirmary, and therefore must be at rest at present, Another question may arise, whether the idle time of some of the patients might not be directed to means for their own maintenance in the Infirmary, or partially so? I am, Dear Sir, Your obliged humble servant, D. P. WATTS. P. S. Is there a Manx or Isle of Man newspaper or journal generally circulated in the provincial language of the place? It would be well to insert extracts of the Castle Rushen Prison Letters therein; and this I would urge on your attention without delay: "better late than never." The words Tabitha and Dorcas, as signifying in both languages a roebuck, are in my Concordance. Tabitha-Syriac. Dorcas -Greek. A goat or kid; but in both cases, when applied to a roebuck, mean the female; but the figurative meaning in all their applications is, domestic utility, fidelity, docility, affording help, nutrition, and clothing; and ad |