sick. Monies are paid by the treasurer, upon an order from the stewards, to be approved of by the president, vice president, and signed by the secretary. Allowance to sick members, two dollars weekly; twenty dollars in case of death of a member, and 25 cents from each member to his widow. If the wife of a member die, he receives fifteen dollars. The following Benefit Societies also exist in Philadelphia. 4. American Beneficial Society. 105 members. 5. St. Tammany Benevolent Society. 6. Northern Liberty Benevolent Society. 7. Union Beneficial Society. 8. Philanthropic Society. 9. Philadelphia Benevolent Society. 94 members. 10. American Friendly Institution. 100 members. 11. Friendly Society of Philadelphia. 12. Union Society of Philadelphia. 13. Independent Benevolent Society. The objects, principles, and in general, the rules of these societies are the same. They were originally established to prevent the degrading reflection arising from the circumstance of being relieved, while sick, by private or public charity: the members may demand their relief as a right. Fines are generally inflicted upon members absent at stated meetings, and greater fines if absent at the annual meetings: also for divulging any reflections made upon a member's character in the society; for slandering members, unless the facts can be proved; and for irregular behaviour during the meetings of the society. Fines, from two to eight dollars, are also inflicted upon those who decline serving in the offices to which they have been elected. Distant sick members must have their illness certified by a magistrate, minister, or . overseer of the poor, to entitle them to relief. No member receives the benefit of the association unless his quarterly subscriptions, and his fines are paid up; nor until after he has been a certain time a member; from one to two years is the usual time. stipulated. Diseases, the consequence of quarrels, drunkenness or vices, are not relieved. Provision is also made for orphans, for impositions on the society; for expulsion for immoralities or crimes, peculation, or omission to pay subscriptions; want of punctuality in this last respect, after two or three meetings, excludes a member from the benefit of the association. The treasurer commonly gives a bond, who, with the secretary, is allowed a small gratuity for extra trouble. The members commonly are required to attend the funeral of deceased members, and to wear a black scarf round their hats or arm. Such societies cannot be too strongly recommended. All classes of workmen, and others who depend upon their daily labour for their support; and who in case of their death would leave their families in distress, should be persuaded to form or join benevolent societies. In Europe political economists are so well convinced of the importance of such associations, that they recommend them, although from the numerous taxes, the difficulty of procuring a living, by a labourer or artist, is so great, that they must retrench their comforts to enable them to pay their subscriptions. In this country it is well known that every man, who chooses to work, even as a day labourer, can earn much more than he requires for his support; and from not being a member of such an association, the extra sum is squandered in va rious ways, according to the habits of the man; so that when overtaken by sickness, he is unable to support himself, and either suffers, or is obliged to apply to the guardians of the poor, or be assisted by his friends; even in the case of tradesmen, in a good way of business, such societies may prove highly beneficial, by preventing distress in case of unforeseen calamity, or lingering indisposition. Associations for Relief of Foreign Emigrants. 1. St. Andrews. The oldest association for the relief of distressed emigrants, is the society of St. Andrew; the date of its formation cannot now be precisely ascertained, but it is known to have existed for many years before the American revolution. It was incorporated in 1808; the clear value or income of real estate, and the interest of the money lent by them shall not exceed five hundred pounds. The active duties of the society devolve upon six assistants; they are to pay attention to emigrants from Scotland, inquire into their treatment during the passage, and into their circumstances and views; to assist them by their advice, and to recommend such of them as they may think proper to the society for pecuniary relief. They may also relieve natives of Scotland, their widows and children, or being the widows, children, or grand children of members of the society: but must not exceed the sum of twenty dollars, in a donation to any one person, nor the sum of one hundred dollars in the whole, in the advancements by them, between any two stated meetings. Members pay five dollars upon admission, and three annually. The society meet four times an ST. GEORGE'S, WELSH, & HIBERNIAN SOCIETIES. 281 nually; on St. Andrew's day, and on the last days of 2. St. George's Society, Was instituted in the year 1772, for purposes similar to those of the former two; but has not yet been incorporated. The active duties fall upon the stewards, of whom there are twelve. President-Robert E. Griffith. Vice President-Thomas Ketland. Treasurer-John Waddington. 3. Welsh Society. The Society of St. David, was also formed before the American revolution, but the early records having been lost, the precise year of its origin cannot now be known. In the year 1798, a number of the descendents of Welshmen, associated for the purpose of relieving Welsh emigrants in distress, and were incorporated in 1802. This society has rendered very essential services, upon several occasions, to the objects for whose benefit it was instituted. President-Samuel Meredith. Vice President-Robert Wharton. Treasurer-Thos. Cumpston. 4. Hibernian Society. Was instituted about the year 1792, for the pur pose of protecting Irish emigrants from the cruelty. and tyrannical conduct of masters and owners of vessels employed in the passenger trade. Previously to the revolutionary war, and for some years immediately succeeding peace, the importation of Irish and Germans was a profitable business, and was steadily followed by many persons. Those foreigners who could not pay for their passages, indented themselves, for two or three years as servants; and profit being the only object of those concerned in the trade, they often crowded their vessels to such a degree, that pestilential diseases originated on board, and great mortality ensued. The provisions too were often bad in quality, or deficient in quantity, and famine sometimes took off those whom disease did not reach. Scenes like these were so often repeated, that they roused the humanity of several Irish gentlemen, some of whom had suffered by, and many of whom had witnessed the conduct of those concerned in the trade; and associated for the purpose of checking the enormity. Several citizens, more particularly the natives of Germany and Scotland, seeing the great usefulness of the society, became members, and disregarding national names, contributed to the funds and to the general usefulness of the society. The officers of the society, consist of a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer; but the chief duty is imposed upon the acting committee of twelve, which is divided into four classes, each class taking a tour of duty for three months. This duty consists in visiting all vessels arriving in the port, from Ireland, with passengers, making strict inquiry into the character and circumstances of those passengers who may be in any necessity, and to afford them assistance. To inquire about the number of passengers on board, and if they have been in every respect well treated; and whether the masters dr |