Proposals for Building, in Every County, a Working-Alms-House or Hospital / as the Best Expedient to Perfect the Trade and Manufactory of Linnen Cloth

A practical proposal to establish county workhouses that employ the poor, children, the elderly, beggars, and vagrants in linen manufacture to relieve parish poor rates, reduce costly imports, and encourage hemp and flax cultivation. It presents calculations of potential output, organization of labor, and mechanical aids to boost spinning and hemp-beating productivity, argues that coarser linens meet much domestic demand, and outlines county-funded building and supply schemes. Anticipated objections about quality, capacity, and expense are met with plans for division of labor, selective fine work, and financing by parish or county contributions while stressing wider economic benefits.