Page:Two tracts on the founding and maintaining of parochial libraries in Scotland.djvu/81

Rh not transact it altogether among our own Country-men? The Answer in short is this; The Nation's poverty, (occasioned chiefly by their great losses at Sea, the decay of Trade, the great Dearth of Corn, and the Death of Cattle for some Years together, to say nothing of several other things which might be named) renders the People generally unable to do much by way of Charity; nevertheless there are not wanting those amongst them, who amidst their straights and wants, are foreward to promote this or any other good Design, even beyond their Power.

As for those good People in both Kingdoms, who sometime