estates, &c. to settle what masters shall take Apprentices; upon which, if any question arises, it is decided by the Justices, and generally by ballot. Previously to the children being apprenticed, they appear before the magistrates; whose duty it is to inquire, whether they are fit for the situation in respect of health, strength, or age, and whether there are any objections to the master in point of character, or previous conduct to any former apprentice. The children are properly clothed when they are apprenticed; and if during their apprenticeship, there occurs any just ground of complaint as to misusage, the magistrates exercise a summary power of redress. As the children are generally placed out in the same, or in an adjoining parish, to that in which their parents reside, they continue in some degree under their parents eye; and any well founded complaint is easily made, and soon redressed. Their work is not disproportioned to their strength. They are better fed, better clothed, and kept more clean, than they could have been at home:

they are bred up to hardy employment, and have generally the appearance of health and comfort.

The justices at quarter sessions have made an order for the overseers to ascertain, that these apprentices attend regularly upon public worship, and that their names are called over after service, and a quarterly return made to the justices of the division, as to their conduct and situation. Very great benefits have been produced by this excellent regulation, It operates in the way of preventive justice; while, at the same time, it trains up the children to religious habits. Clothing and necessary food can hardly be withheld, in any considerable degree, from those, who are placed every week before the eyes of the minister and overseers, and of the whole congregation of the parish. It is much to be regretted that such a regulation is not adopted throughout the kingdom, with a summary power to regulate and enforce its execution.

The poor themselves, who are accustomed to see the execution of this law, consider it as very beneficial to their children. As a proof of it, great part of the children have been apprenticed at the request of their parents. At the same time viewing the subject in a moral and political view, it seems to be of the greatest importance, that children should be placed under the control of masters, whose natural interest it is to train them in habits of virtue and industry. The country is thus furnished with a hardy race of peasants, bred to agriculture, the most useful of all arts, and one of the most essential to the existence of every country. At the same time it has been a general observation, that the moral and religious habits of the Devonshire poor, have been improved by the newly adopted system, of apprenticing their children, a system which while it possesses the authority of law, has now the sanction of experience.

OBSERVATIONS.

The complaint of want of hands to cultivate the ground has been frequently made.

they are bred up to hardy employment, and have generally the appearance of health and comfort.

The justices at quarter sessions have made an order for the overseers to ascertain, that these apprentices attend regularly upon public worship, and that their names are called over after service, and a quarterly return made to the justices of the division, as to their conduct and situation. Very great benefits have been produced by this excellent regulation, It operates in the way of preventive justice; while, at the same time, it trains up the children to religious habits. Clothing and necessary food can hardly be withheld, in any considerable degree, from those, who are placed every week before the eyes of the minister and overseers, and of the whole congregation of the parish. It is much to be regretted that such a regulation is not adopted throughout the kingdom, with a summary power to regulate and enforce its execution.

The poor themselves, who are accustomed to see the execution of this law, consider it as very beneficial to their children. As a proof of it, great part of the children have been apprenticed at the request of their parents. At the same time viewing the subject in a moral and political view, it seems to be of the greatest importance, that children should be placed under the control of masters, whose natural interest it is to train them in habits of virtue and industry. The country is thus furnished with a hardy race of peasants, bred to agriculture, the most useful of all arts, and one of the most essential to the existence of every country. At the same time it has been a general observation, that the moral and religious habits of the Devonshire poor, have been improved by the newly adopted system, of apprenticing their children, a system which while it possesses the authority of law, has now the sanction of experience.

OBSERVATIONS.

The complaint of want of hands to cultivate the ground has been frequently made.