, from the laudable practice and experience of that worthy
Gentleman, Mr. _Tho. Firmin_, Citizen of _London_, who at this time Imploys
in his House (built for that purpose) several Flax-men, _Weavers_, _&c._
And also above 600 Spinners abroad. This Judicious person shew'd me more
than 500 l. worth of very good substantial Cloth, of his own working. And
in truth, I have convers'd with many; but never found any man so able and
free to resolve all doubts in this case; who told me for a Truth, that a
Child of 5 or 6 years old, that had its Health, and a moderate
Apprehension, might be taught in 6 Weeks to earn its living in Spinning;
Which, if so, as from the Veracity and Experience of the Relator, I have no
reason to doubt. It is most plain, that the most profitable part of this
Manufactory may be both easily and speedily accomplish'd, and perfected, to
the happy Reformation of many Thousands, who now live by Begging, _&c._
giving scarce any thing for whatever they Eat, Drink, or Wear.

Besides, let it be considered, How greatly this Manufactory will quicken
and revive our decayed Markets and dying Trade, especially, that of
Husbandry; which may easily be domonstrated, thus;

As the Case now stands, every Family in the Nation either directly or
indirectly, send their Money every year to the _Drapers_ for Linnen, the
_Drapers_ they pay it to the Merchants, and away it goes every year beyond
Sea, and never returns; whereby our Wealth is made a Prey to other Nations,
whose Poor are imploy'd and maintain'd thereby, whilst in the mean time our
Nation is in a Consumption, our Poor live by Begging, Poverty increases,
and our Lands lye unimproved, for want of this Manufactory.

But now under this Reformation, every Family that sends their Money to the
_Drapers_, the _Draper_ sends it to the Masters of these _Hospitals_, and
they scatter it amongst all the Trades in the Nation; especially to the
Farmers, and Tillers of Land, ready Money for Hemp and Flax; ready Money
for Corn and Fat Cattle of all sorts; and the like for Butter and Cheese,
or any thing they have to spare: And all this, or the greatest part, from
those who before lay a Begging at their Doors, or were maintained by
Contribution; and now, the more people Increase, the better it will be for
the whole Nation: And doubtless, if an Imposition sufficient were laid on
Foreign Linnen, Hemp and Flax, and Incouragement due to ingenious and
industrious people given, (as in this