say, I am happy to find men united in the strongest ties of amity, to stand between the public and the workmen the workmen and the manufacturer and tradesman. There is a great necessity for this; I always found among the public, enough selfish and overbearing, to run down my article and price, (though, perhaps, I might have the advantage of some dealers, being considered a-may I say, Quaker? rather, I trust, a christian,) and when a journey man, I always found masters enough, so selfish and ill principled, as to desire—want me to work for nothing, as it were. I wish only that the manufacturers and others would take heed, that they not only render unto their work people "that which is just and equal;" but see also that they keep up the quality of their article, and that the necessary labour is bestowed upon the work for which they pay. Surely no persons are so fit and proper judges to know the price of the labour of which they bestow, both of the work people and themselves, in their respective branches of their trades, as the manufacturer and tradesman! And surely it is not just and equal that the manufacturer and workmen should all be losers, that the public should be a gainer! By this maxim must all merchants and dealers be regulated -bearing in mind the old law-" right right." The expenses for moderate and decent support of a family, rent, rates and taxes, &c. of the times in which he lives it will be necessary to keep in view when a man estimates his profits, and puts a price on labour, &c.

This brings me to consider (under one head, as I engaged) the reason and causes why the labourers

and mechanics are not better paid for their workwhy the foregoing regulations in trade, and the reciprocal duties of masters and servants are not better understood, and reduced to practice. I will tell thee, gentle reader, it is pride, ambition, self-love, infidelity, and "a haste to be rich!" Such hath not got "the love of God shed abroad in their hearts, through faith in Jesus Christ," therefore he cannot love his fellow man as himself. But as these characters, like the camelion, can change their colour as often as they please, to serve their own purpose and safety, I must come to a few particulars. And here I desire to appeal to thy own conscience-a monitor, enough of which remains to tell thee "here once God stood," whether these things be so or not.

It is cursed pride, my friends, as your worthy William Penn, observed-" pride, which makes a man despise, and keep under his fellow creatures, because he is too proud to love an equal: so he does not love God, and his laws because he would not have a superior." And so you cannot give a labourer two pounds a week for his labour, nor let him work less hours, than what perhaps, may be the customs of men, because he would be-receive that, which is " just and equal," and be able to live like a christian! Hence self love, and "a haste to be rich," by which a man will commit any base and mean action: no wonder to find men contracting for trade, determined to execute orders at all events; not only get their work done by boys and apprentices, but by grinding the men and women down in their just wages! Would it not be better for such professors, to suffer the loss of trade, and become a

labourer, than thus ruin trade; and more, 66 cause the religion of Jesus Christ to be blasphemed ?"— Hence lying, and every false excuse:-others, that they could not meet the markets at home or abroad if they did not cut low in wages, &c. Nothing more false; an honest man that knows his trade, and is moderate in his expenses, may always meet "a rogue in" the markets. Others, their "haste to be rich," are in such an infidel state, that when I solicitedtheir subscription towards publishing this work, they told me to my face, they were "not religious!"-they had "no time to read books, this was the book," clapping their hands on a port folio, double ledger, or something of that kind "that they wished only to read." Others, afraid I should make them a Quaker, and that they should not like."* While some “read no books but what inform them how to increase their fortune for themselves and children." A long string of religious dogmas and peculiarities might not be very inviting to such; but that "truth prevalent," after so much vicissitude, so much ruin, and so much effusion of blood, should not excite attention, is not a little surprizing.

With respect to "making a fortune," I must make one general remark. "This is a sore evil," says the wise man, "riches kept for the owners thereof; and mostly perish by evil travel of their children!" (Eccles. v. 12.) And a wiser man than Solomon, even Christ himself, hath expressly condemned it, Mat. vi. 19. "Lay not up for yourselves

* Men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. John iii. 19.

treasures upon earth," &c.* The pious Fuller, (on backsliders,) might well say, "it has long appeared to me, that this species of covetousness will, in all probability, prove the eternal overthrow of more characters, among professing people, than almost any other sin! They may not, perhaps, indulge in gross immoralities, but they can love the world supremely!" The case of Lot, when he parted from Abraham, and fixed his eyes on the well watered plains of Jordan; and took up his residence in Sodom, should, one would think, furnish an affecting warning to all; alas! how frequently is the same part acted over again, in the choice of settlements for their wives and children.

However, it is not for want of money-of most tradesmen and merchants not being able that the forementioned regulation has not taken place. To say nothing here about government loans, of Millions being raised in a few days! I could always get plenty of money if I could meet it in capital or property: and although I could not get five pounds a gift of those I tried; and that at a time of extreme distress; yet the same people could lend hundreds on security and interest! The sums of money squandered away is immense.-Four hundred thousand pounds can be laid out only in building a theatre! (Drury Lane) and one person alone could absolve the property of his claim (on the above) amounting to twelve thousand pounds! And immense sums of money are lavished away upon pleasures-horse races, fairs, wakes, plays, operas, balls, masquerades, con

See also, reader, Let. i. p. 93, 94.

certs, convivial club-feasts' admission fees, fines, &c. &c. &c. which would more than balance all the losses by shutting up shop at an early hour, and for extra work-people, and extra wages.

And shall I add, the immense sum of money lavished away, on what is called "kept mistresses,”prostitution? Alas, my heart is sick, and my head faint, when beholding the wickedness and wretchedness of my own country, in the plenitude of power, and in the midst of plenty! O, England, England! I do not accuse you, my friends, in a direct manner, as being guilty of squandering away money in any of the gross and vile acts, God forbid! But I wish the society at large may stand clear here: but are not you putting double in the coffer; if not heaping up riches against the day of wrath, when you ought to have been scattering? That many of you, my friends, as well as thrice as many more, must be accumulating wealth daily, while your fellow creatures and work-people are nearly starving, is notoriously well known, (I have documents to prove, if not already,) and how is it you die, and leave an immense riches behind you? This, also, is an evident mark to me, that not more than one of hundred (if that) did not merit these high encom

That some of the parties at these half-guinea and guinea dinners, and convivial feasts, are "the friends of reform," needs no question. I suspect they are admirers of the "transcendaut and political talents of a Sheridan!" I could wish such to bear in their mind, or refer to extract which I have made in the preceding part of this work, (Let. 1. p. 91, 92.) as it may afford a useful hint on the occasion.