under the prime cost, and to be paid for by installments of sixpence a week. Even this small deduction was esteemed an act of kindness; but the loan of the money was valued still more; and the whole has been reimbursed to me, without any failure what

ever.

Thus, for the trifling expense of about three guineas and with very little trouble, I have had the satisfaction of assisting in supplying the wants of almost all the poor in my parish, who were devoid of this comfort, and have extended the boon to near thirty families. In winter, when I have enjoyed the comforts of my own bed, and seen the bright white frost through my window, or heard the wind and the snow driving without, the reflection, that I had been able so easily to relieve the wants of many of my flock, and to supply them with a very essential comfort of life, has given me inexpressible satisfaction.

OBSERVATIONS.

From the above it will appear, that it is not so much the amount of the money, as the mode of application, that enables a man to do good. The same sum expended in firing, (a very useful mode of relief) had warmed my parishioners only for a few short hours in the day, and have been soon consumed; the same money given in blankets had supplied only a few; but, thus applied, many have enjoyed the comfort during the nights of the preceding winter; and they are not only in use for the present winter, but will last for some winters to come.

This kind of charity serves likewise to call forth and encourage the industry of the poor, in co-operation with the efforts of their benefactors. It teaches punctuality of payment, which among the poor is a very great and requisite virtue. It tends also to create good will and kindness between them and

their benefactors: every time of payment renewing in the cottager the memory of this act of benevolence, and in the donor the gratification arising from it; so that it may be truly said, "it is twice blessed; it blesseth him that gives, and him that takes."

Dec. 7, 1803.

No. CIV.

Extract from an account* of a Society in West Street, for the relief of their Poor Neighbours in Distress. By THOMAS Bernard, Esq.

ON

N Sunday the 24th of April, 1800, the Rev. MR. GURNEY, the Minister of the FREE CHAPEL in West Street, in his discourse to the congregation, recommended the establishment of a SOCIETY, the object of which should be to seek out, and as far as might be to relieve, the distresses and afflictions of any poor persons of that neighbourhood, who were suffering in silence and obscurity. The relief was to be confined to persons who were recommended by one of the members of the Society; with ex

* This account was ordered to be published separately for distribution.

clusion, not only of the common mendicant, --but also of begging letters, and personal applications. The objects of relief were to be sought for, their habitations visited, and their circumstances and characters * ascertained, by visitors appointed by and from among the committee.

Those of the congregation who were disposed to contribute to this work of benevolence and charity, were requested to meet in the chapel on the Wednesday evening following, being the 27th of April; in order that they might enter their names, and pay their subscriptions in advance, either by the week, or month, or quarterly, or yearly.

At the time proposed, the evening of the 27th of April, a considerable number of the poor, together with some other persons of the neighbourhood attended, with a degree of eagerness, by no means convenient

* This enquiry will be of less difficulty or uncertainty, as the Society consists chiefly of tradesmen, or of poor persons, resident in that neighbourhood,