a price, as scarce to turn to Account: And
understanding, that for remedying thereof, the Improving the Manufactory of
Linnen is now under Debate, I have taken the boldness to Offer the
following PROPOSAL, which if thought fit to be put in practice, will (in my
opinion) infallibly conduce to all the good Ends desired and intended; viz.

_That there may be Erected in every County according to its Extent or
Populousness, a greater or lesser_ Working-Alms-House, _wherein the
Poor may be continually employed in the Manufactory of_ Linnen Cloth.

The Advantages whereof are evident; For,

I. This Manufactory is an Employment for the weakest people, not capable of
stronger Work, viz. Women and Children, and decrepit or aged people, now
the most chargeable; as likewise for Beggars and Vagrants, who live idly,
and by the sweat of other mens Labours, and can no way so effectually be
brought to Industry and Order, as when reduced into to narrow a Compass or
Confinement under fitly qualified Rulers, Officers, and Regular Government.

II. These Working-Alm-Houses may raise and supply the Nation yearly with a
sufficient Stock of Linnen Cloth (the finest sort excepted) if true
measures be taken, and the Design effectually prosecuted; As for example,
1352000 pounds worth of Cloth may yearly be spun in them only, besides what
is made in private Families--Thus demonstrated;

1. 'Tis well known by experience, that three quarters of a Pound of Thread
worth 12 d. _per_ Pound spinning, will make one Ell of Cloth worth _2 s._
_per_ Ell; which Three quarters of a Pound two Spinners may spin in one
day; Hence it follows,

2. That 2000 Spinners will spin Thread enough in one day to make 1000 Ells
of Cloth, worth 100 l. And working but 260 days in the year, may spin 26000
Pounds worth of Linnen Cloth in a year.

3. Suppose then there be as many publick Work-houses, as there are
Counties, which are 52, and in every Work-house, one with another, 2000
Spinners (though in some more, some less) then according to the reasonable
measures, there will be the forementioned Sum of 1352000 l. worth of Cloth
spun in one year; which is what we undertook to demonstrate.

This or some such prodigious Sum of Money might yearly be raised to the
Nation, whereby a Treble Benefit would ensue, First, we might save so much
Money now yearly sent out of the Nation for Linnen, which, as computed by
very worthy Intelligent persons, has of late cost us mo