whom a ftipulated fum is annually paid. To thofe who are able to help themfelves a little, or have friends from whom they derive fome fuccours, inadequate however to their full mainte- nance, fupplementary aids are given which enable them to hve comfortably in their own houfes, or in the houfes of their friends. Vagabonds without vifible pro- perty or vocation, are placed in work- houfes, where they are well clothed, fed, lodged, and made to labour. Nearly the fame method of providing for the poor prevails through all our ftates; and from Savannah to Portfmouth you will feldom meet a beggar. In the large towns, in- deed they fometimes prefent themfelves.
Thefe are ufually foreigners, who have never obtained a fettlement in any parifii.
I never yet faw a native American beging in the ftreets or highways. A fubfif- tence is eafily gained here: and if, by misfortunes, they are thrown on the charities of the world, thofe provided by their own country are fo comfortable and fo certain, that they never LI think of relinquifhing them to become flrolling beggars. Their fituation too, when fick, in the family of a good farmer, where every member is emulous to do them kind offices, where they are vifited by all the neighbours, who bring them the Uttle rarities which their fickly appetites may crave, and who take by rotation the nightly watch over them, when their condition requires it, is with- out comparifon better than in a general hofpital, where fick, the dying, and the dead are crammed together, in the fame rooms, and often in the fame beds. The difadvantages, infeparable from general hofpitals, are fuch as can never be coun- terpoifed by all the regularities of medi- cine and regimen. Nature and kind nur- fmg fave a much greater proportion in our plain way, at a fmaller expence, and with lefs abufe. One branch only of hof- pital inftitution is wanting with us; that is, a general eftablifliment for thofe la- bouring under difficult cafes of chirurgery. The aids of this art are not equivocal.