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Life of Thomas Eddy

SW_WH1793_Page_190

place yearly in the state of New York; and yet thatcountry, from the rapid influx of riches and luxury,and extensive manufactures, cannot be said to beimproving in morals. I fear the reverse is the case;since I have been recently applied to by some of thefirst public characters in that country, to suggestmeans for the improvement of their police. Arrange-ments and checks upon evil propensities, must be accommodated gradually to the existing state ofsociety. The intention of all governments is to renderhuman nature as perfect as possible, since from thisperfection results the security and the comfort of the whole; but errors and imperfections incident tohuman nature are unfavourable, and ever will be so,to such a state of things, which can only be main-tained by good and appropriate laws, wisely andprudently administered. If the information I have transmitted, or what Ihave communicated in this and my former letter,(which I hope you have received,) can be of use inpromoting any of your benevolent objects for thebenefit of your country, it will afford me the sincerestpleasure. I am, with great respect and esteem, Sir,Your most obedient andVery faithful servant, P. COLQUHOUN. A List of Books and Pamphlets transmitted to THOMAS EDDY. Tracts on the Education of Youth, and the Poor.— Two volumes containing a series of reports, of the Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor inLondon, &;c. A series of numbers containing theremaining reports, down to the present period, thirteenin all. Tracts on the means of supporting the Poor, and pre-venting Idleness and Vagrancy.—Preliminary sketcheson the Poor, by Jeremy Bentham, Esq. sent by the