Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/341

 Meath in Ireland; and William having many wayes tryed his fortunes was, anno 1649, after much foreign travel, made Doctor of Physic and Professor of Medicine in Oxford. Then, having geometrically surveyed all Ireland in 13 months and therein measuring as much Line as would encompass the whole Earth above 5 times about, was anno 1661 Knighted, and now being 46 anm. of age hath in memory of his family and in due acknowledgment of his Parents exemplary care in the education of their children, erected this Tomb and given his whole patrimony for pious uses to this Town.'

But altered circumstances and the stress of the times caused him to abandon his good intentions towards his native town, and his will, dated May 2, 1685, was found to contain the following curious passage in regard to charitable bequests:—

'As for legacies for the poor, I am at a stand; as for beggars by trade and election I give them nothing; as for impotents by the hand of God, the publick ought to maintain them; as for those who have been bred to no calling nor estate they should be put upon their kindred; as for those who can get no work, the magistrate should cause them to be employed, which may be well done in Ireland, where is fifteen acres of improveable land for every head: prisoners for crimes by the King; for debt by their prosecutors.

'As for those who compassionate the sufferings of any object, let them relieve themselves by relieving such sufferers; that is, giving them alms pro re natâ, and for God's sake relieve those several species above mentioned, where the abovementioned obligees fail in their duties. Wherefore I am contented that I have assisted all my poor relations, and put many into a way of getting their own bread; and have laboured in publick works, and by inventions have sought out real objects of charity; and do hereby conjure all who partake of my estate, from time to time to do the same at their peril. Nevertheless to answer custom, and to take the surer side, I give 20l. to the most wanting of the parish wherein I die....