An enquiry whether a general practice of virtue tends to the wealth or poverty, benefit or disadvantage of a people? : In which the pleas offered by the author of The fable of bees, or private vices publick benefits, for the usefulness of vice and roguery are considered. With some thoughts concerning a toleration of publick stews.

  • Blewitt, George.
Date:
1725
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An enquiry whether a general practice of virtue tends to the wealth or poverty, benefit or disadvantage of a people? : In which the pleas offered by the author of The fable of bees, or private vices publick benefits, for the usefulness of vice and roguery are considered. With some thoughts concerning a toleration of publick stews. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Wealth is nothing but the whole of private Property put together. As to that paltry Obje&ion again ft them, that the putting Children out to Trades is deftruflive to the Har¬ mony of a Nation, and an impertinent intermeddling with what few of thefe Governors know any thing ofc; The Reader muft look upon it as a Proof of what was faid juft now, or a Pretence to cover fome other Defign in the Oppofition to them. For the Schools themfelves are chiefly fupported by Contributions from Tradefmeny who, as it is reafonable to think, they are the beft Judges where Hands in Trades are moft wanted, fo it is pro¬ bable they have the greateft Share in their Management. But the latter part of the Charge will return with great Force and Juftice upon himfelf and his Friends. For though we Ihould allow them to have better Reafons for refufing their own Contributions and Endeavours to promote them, than it is feared moft of them have* yet to intermeddle with and cenlure the Difpofal of o- ther Mens Charity, can’t fail of being thought to a great Degree impertinent, as what they have nothing at all to do with,and, if we may judge by him,know very little of. That Inftitutions of this kind may be render’d ufeful, not yet been denied by them; it is the Abufe and Mifman- agement of them they have hitherto found fault with. Why then don’t thefe publick fpirited Gentry, who burn with the noble Zeal and Dejire after Immortality, and take fuch Care to improve their Country *, (why don’t they) gene- roufly contribute to their Maintenance, and by that means get into the Management of them, and fo turn the Balance from Trades to Husbandry, as well as eor- ! 3