Proposals For Building, In Every County, A Working-Alms-House or Hospital | Page 5

benefit of these Granaries, also.
2. That the Maiden-Children brought up in this Corporation, may after
they attain to the Age of 15 Years, or other fit time, be permitted to go
forth to Service to learn good Huswifry, and the Lads to Husbandry or
Trades, if they think fit; nor will there be need of so great caution to
prevent the Marriages of the meaner sort, since now the Parishes need
not so much fear a Charge, knowing a means how to employ all their
Children as fast as they come to be five or six Years old; nor can a
young man have better choice for a Wife than here, amongst so many,
all bred up industriously under strict Discipline, and in a way to live;
And therefore this Method will be so far from causing any
depopulation, that it may encrease our Inhabitants; and the more, the

better, since we know how to dispose of them in such laudable
Employments: Moreover, hereby the distracting cares of poor honest
Parents, oft occasioned by a foresight of their incapacity to provide for
their Children, will be removed; so that they may pass their time in
peace, knowing that a good honest comfortable Employment and
Education is provided for their Children, and their Childrens Children;
nor may this less remove the Temptations both in Parents and Children,
which cause them to be guilty of such Misdemeanors as sometimes
bring them to the Gallows; so that the Expedients offered for the
accomplishing this Manufactory, will produce a happy change in the
whole Nation, _viz._ no more want of Work or Bread for the poor, no
more Parishes oppressed, no more Beggars, a great abatement of Felons,
Thieves, Cheats, Nurses of Debauchery, _&c._ many Lives preserved,
and (which is an hundred thousand times more than all the rest) many
Souls saved: Much more might be said in this case, to set forth the
excellence of this Design, but I leave it as a work more deserving the
skill of the most Learned and Godly Divine, and shall only add,
In order to that last mentioned incomparable end, and for the better
Education and Instruction of this great Family, That there may be
placed in each House an Able, Honest, Godly Minister, of a good,
peaceable, kind disposition and exemplary Conversation; that so no
means may be wanting for promoting Gods Glory and their Edification:
To which purpose, on Holidays and other spare times, all or the most
docible part of the People train'd up here, may likewise be taught to
read, _&c._
So may our most Great Prince, and Worthy Senators become further
Instruments for the Nations Prosperity, and the Salvation of many
Souls: Thus may the Blessing of Heaven crown all their Honourable
Enterprizes and Prudent Counsels with most prosperous Success, which
that it may be so, is the hearty Desire of
_Your most Humble, Obedient and Faithful_
Subject and Servant,
R. H.

_FINIS._
* * * * *
POSTSCRIPT
Having received the princely Approbation of that most Judicious and
publick spirited Promoter of Englands Weal and Prosperity, and all
such Ingenuites as tend to general Good, and whole Noble Actions
have given matchless proofs of his great zeal thereunto, _viz._ His
Illustrious Highness Prince Rupert who having condiscended to peruse
the preceeding Proposals, was pleas'd to Honour me with his
Approvement, Advice, and Encouragement therein; Judging it
necessary, that I should first offer the same to His Majesties
Consideration; and in order thereunto, did Introduce me to His Royal
Presence, who was Graciously pleas'd to order me to deliver it to one of
His Secretaries of State, to the intent he might peruse it, and bring in
his Report thereof; whereupon I carried it to Mr. Secretary Coventry,
who gave his Approbation thereof to His Majesty at the Council Table,
where it pass'd without any obstruction:
Which gave me the greater Encouragement to put the said Proposals in
Print, for the deliberate Perusal, and grave Consideration of both
Houses of Parliament; who, I humbly conceive, are as greatly concern'd
to encourage all such humble Endeavours, tending to such General
Wealth and Honour of the whole Nation.
And for as much as I have the opportunity, by reason of the
Adjournments of Parliament since Whitsuntide last, immediately after
which, my Proposals came out of the Press, I thought it might not be
superfluous to add a few Lines for the Answering some further
Objections, but first shall add a few Words to the Answer already given
to the second.
_Obj. pag. 5._ where I say, That the laying out of 5 l. _for the Building
of Working Alms-Houses, will purchase_ 50 s. per Annum _for ever_;
Whereas I now find,

That it will purchase 20 l. per Annum in most Parishes; as may thus