never intended, the main design of these Hospitals being only for the
relief of all oppressed Parents, families, and Parishes, by taking off
their young Children, and single people, who have neither Habitation, nor
Parish willing to receive them, there to be comfortably maintain'd, well
educated and instructed in all good manners towards God and Man; Nor are
any of them to be confin'd to this House longer than untill they can well
earn their Livings by other means; unless it be such as are committed as
persons deserving perpetual or temporary Confinement, which is far better
than to Hang or Transport, except it be for Capital Crimes.

The second Benefit aimed at, is the procuring the most Fine and curious
Cloth, as well as quantities sufficient of Courser, for Domestick and
Foreign Trade, to be obtained with great expedition: For so it is, That
when so many are imploy'd in sight of each other (especially, where
incouragement is given, and good Discipline maintain'd) the strife of all,
both small and great, will be to excell each other, both in quantity and
curiosity of Work.

Obj. _This Manufactory being thus incouraged, a considerable part of His
Majesties Revenue now arising by Custom for Linnen Cloth will be
diminished._

_Answ._ I humbly Answer, That the same may be easily compensated another
way, it being (with all submission) conceived, That it would be happy for
this Kingdom, if an Imposition of 12 d. _per_ quart more than now is, were
to be paid for all _French_-Wine and Brandy; As also 5 s. in the Pound for
all Hemp, Flax, and Linnen, that is Imported.

'Tis possible some may suppose, that my being thus intent and tedious, is
only an itch of Fame; but I can justly assure the World, I am so far from
any such contemptible Vanity, That I am rather a beggar for the Poor and
Distressed, and for their sakes, would imitate the importunate Widow, in
the 18th of St. _Luke_'s Gospel, who obtain'd her request meerly for the
sake of her Importunity; only this difference there is, Her suit was for
Revenge, Mine for an Act of Charity; she made her suit to such a Judge as
neither feared God, nor regarded man; but my humble, though earnest suit
is, To the Most _Christian King_, a _Defender of the Faith_; as also to the
Great Wisdom of a _Christian Nation_, all which strengthens my hopes, that
I shall not be more unfortunate than was that importunate Widow.

And why should I doubt it, since it is so, that even an unjust and