第1章

TheQueristcontainingseveralQueriesproposedtotheconsiderationofthePublicItheLordhavebroughtdownthehightree,haveexaltedthelowtree,havedriedupthegreentree,andhavemadethedrytreetoflourish。——Ezek。xvii,24。

AdvertisementbytheAuthorTheQueristwasfirstpublishedintheyearonethousandsevenhundredandthirty—five;sincewhichtimethefaceofthingsissomewhatchanged。Inthiseditionsomealterationshavebeenmade。ThethreePartsarepublishedinone;somefewQueriesareadded,andmanyomitted,particularlyofthoserelatingtothesketchorplanofanationalbank,whichitmaybetimeenoughtotakeagaininhandwhenthepublicshallseemdisposedtomakeuseofsuchanexpedient。IhaddeterminedwithmyselfnevertoprefixmynametotheQuerist,butinthelasteditionwasoverruledbyafriend,whowasremarkableforpursuingthepublicinterestwithasmuchdiligenceasothersdotheirown。I

apprehendthesamecensureonthisthatIincurreduponanotheroccasion,formeddlingoutofmyprofession;thoughtofeedthehungryandclothethenaked,bypromotinganhonestindustry,will,perhaps,bedeemednoimproperemploymentforaclergymanwhostillthingshimselfamemberofthecommonwealth。Asthesumofhumanhappinessissupposedtoconsistinthegoodsofmind,body,andfortune,Iwouldfainmakemystudiesofsomeusetomankindwithregardtoeachofthesethreeparticulars,andhopeitwillnotbethoughtfaultyorindecentinanyman,ofwhatprofessionsoever,toofferhismitetowardsimprovingthemanners,health,andprosperityofhisfellow—creatures。

QUERY1Whetherthereeverwas,is,orwillbe,anindustriousnationpoor,oranidlerich?

2Whetherapeoplecanbecalledpoor,wherethecommonsortarewellfed,clothed,andlodged?

3WhetherthedriftandaimofeverywiseStateshouldnotbe,toencourageindustryinitsmembers?Andwhetherthosewhoemployneitherheadsnorhandsforthecommonbenefitdeservenottobeexpelledlikedronesoutofawell—governedState?

4Whetherthefourelements,andman’slabourtherein,benotthetruesourceofwealth?

5Whethermoneybenotonlysofaruseful,asitstirrethupindustry,enablingmenmutuallytoparticipatethefruitsofeachother’slabour?

6Whetheranyothermeans,equallyconducingtoexciteandcirculatetheindustryofmankind,maynotbeasusefulasmoney。

7Whethertherealendandaimofmenbenotpower?Andwhetherhewhocouldhaveeverythingelseathiswishorwillwouldvaluemoney?

8Whetherthepublicaimineverywell—governedStatebenotthateachmember,accordingtohisjustpretensionsandindustry,shouldhavepower?

9Whetherpowerbenotreferredtoaction;andwhetheractiondothnotfollowappetiteorwill?

10Whetherfashiondothnotcreateappetites;andwhethertheprevailingwillofanationisnotthefashion?

11Whetherthecurrentofindustryandcommercebenotdeterminedbythisprevailingwill?

12Whetheritbenotowingtocustomthatthefashionsareagreeable?

13Whetheritmaynotconcernthewisdomofthelegislaturetointerposeinthemakingoffashions;andnotleaveanaffairofsogreatinfluencetothemanagementofwomenandfops,tailorsandvintners?

14Whetherreasonablefashionsareagreaterrestraintonfreedomthanthosewhichareunreasonable?

15Whetherageneralgoodtasteinapeoplewouldnotgreatlyconducetotheirthriving?Andwhetheranuneducatedgentrybenotthegreatestofnationalevils?

16Whethercustomsandfashionsdonotsupplytheplaceofreasoninthevulgarofallranks?Whether,therefore,itdothnotverymuchimportthattheyshouldbewiselyframed?

17Whethertheimitatingthoseneighboursinourfashions,towhomwebearnolikenessinourcircumstances,benotonecauseofdistresstothisnation?

18Whetherfrugalfashionsintheupperrank,andcomfortablelivinginthelower,benotthemeanstomultiplyinhabitants?

19WhetherthebulkofourIrishnativesarenotkeptfromthriving,bythatcynicalcontentindirtandbeggarywhichtheypossesstoadegreebeyondanyotherpeopleinChristendom?

20Whetherthecreatingofwantsbenotthelikeliestwaytoproduceindustryinapeople?Andwhether,ifourpeasantswereaccustomedtoeatbeefandwearshoes,theywouldnotbemoreindustrious?

21Whetherotherthingsbeinggiven,asclimate,soil,etc。,thewealthbenotproportionedtotheindustry,andthistothecirculationofcredit,bethecreditcirculatedortransferredbywhatmarksortokenssoever?

22Whether,therefore,lessmoneyswiftlycirculating,benot,ineffect,equivalenttomoremoneyslowlycirculating?Or,whether,ifthecirculationbereciprocallyasthequantityofcoin,thenationcanbealoser?

23Whethermoneyistobeconsideredashavinganintrinsicvalue,orasbeingacommodity,astandard,ameasure,orapledge,asisvariouslysuggestedbywriters?Andwhetherthetrueideaofmoney,assuch,benotaltogetherthatofaticketorcounter?

24Whetherthevalueorpriceofthingsbenotacompoundedproportion,directlyasthedemand,andreciprocallyastheplenty?

25Whetherthetermscrown,livre,poundsterling,etc。,arenottobeconsideredasexponentsordenominationsofsuchproportion?Andwhethergold,silver,andpaperarenotticketsorcountersforreckoning,recording,andtransferringthereof?

26Whetherthedenominationsbeingretained,althoughthebullionweregone,thingsmightnotneverthelessberated,bought,andsold,industrypromoted,andacirculationofcommercemaintained?

27Whetheranequalraisingofallsortsofgold,silver,andcoppercoincanhaveanyeffectinbringingmoneyintothe?Andwhetheralteringtheproportionsbetweenthekingdomseveralsortscanhaveanyothereffectbutmultiplyingonekindandlesseninganother,withoutanyincreaseofthesumtotal?

28Whetherarbitrarychangingthedenominationofcoinbenotapubliccheat?

29Whatmakesawealthypeople?Whetherminesofgoldandsilverarecapableofdoingthis?Andwhetherthenegroes,amidstthegoldsandsofAfric,arenotpooranddestitute?

30Whethertherebeanyvirtueingoldorsilver,otherthanastheysetpeopleatwork,orcreateindustry?

31Whetheritbenottheopinionorwillofthepeople,excitingthemtoindustry,thattrulyenrichethanation?Andwhetherthisdothnotprincipallydependonthemeansforcounting,transferring,andpreservingpower,thatis,propertyofallkinds?

32Whetheriftherewasnosilverorgoldinthekingdom,ourtrademightnot,nevertheless,supplybillsofexchange,sufficienttoanswerthedemandsofabsenteesinEnglandorelsewhere?

33Whethercurrentbank—notesmaynotbedeemedmoney?Andwhethertheyarenotactuallythegreaterpartofthemoneyofthiskingdom?

34Providedthewheelsmove,whetheritisnotthesamething,astotheeffectofthemachine,bethisdonebytheforceofwind,orwater,oranimals?

35Whetherpowertocommandtheindustryofothersbenotrealwealth?Andwhethermoneybenotintruthticketsortokensforconveyingandrecordingsuchpower,andwhetheritbeofgreatconsequencewhatmaterialstheticketsaremadeof?

36Whethertrade,eitherforeignordomestic,beintruthanymorethanthiscommerceofindustry?

37Whethertopromote,transfer,andsecurethiscommerce,andthispropertyinhumanlabour,or,inotherwords,thispower,benotthesolemeansofenrichingapeople,andhowfarthismaybedoneindependentlyofgoldandsilver?

38Whetheritwerenotwrongtosupposelanditselftobewealth?

Andwhethertheindustryofthepeopleisnotfirsttobeconsidered,asthatwhichconstituteswealth,whichmakesevenlandandsilvertobewealth,neitherofwhichwouldhave,anyvaluebutasmeansandmotivestoindustry?

39WhetherinthewastesofAmericaamanmightnotpossesstwentymilessquareofland,andyetwanthisdinner,oracoattohisback?

40Whetherafertileland,andtheindustryofitsinhabitants,wouldnotproveinexhaustiblefundsofrealwealth,bethecountersforconveyingandrecordingthereofwhatyouwill,paper,gold,orsilver?

41Whetherasinglehintbesufficienttoovercomeaprejudice?

Andwhetherevenobvioustruthswillnotsometimesbearrepeating?

42Whether,ifhumanlabourbethetruesourceofwealth,itdothnotfollowthatidlenessshouldofallthingsbediscouragedinawiseState?

43Whetherevengoldorsilver,iftheyshouldlessentheindustryofitsinhabitants,wouldnotberuinoustoacountry?

AndwhetherSpainbenotaninstanceofthis?

44Whethertheopinionofmen,andtheirindustryconsequentthereupon,benotthetruewealthofHollandandnotthesilversupposedtobedepositedinthebankatAmsterdam?

45Whetherthereisintruthanysuchtreasurelyingdead?Andwhetheritbeofgreatconsequencetothepublicthatitshouldberealratherthannotional?

46Whether,inordertounderstandthetruenatureofwealthandcommerce,itwouldnotberighttoconsideraship’screwcastuponadesertisland,andbydegreesformingthemselvestobusinessandcivillife,whileindustrybegotcredit,andcreditmovedtoindustry?

47Whethersuchmenwouldnotallsetthemselvestowork?Whethertheywouldnotsubsistbythemutualparticipationofeachother’sindustry?Whether,whenonemanhadinhiswayprocuredmorethanhecouldconsume,hewouldnotexchangehissuperfluitiestosupplyhiswants?Whetherthismustnotproducecredit?Whether,tofacilitatetheseconveyances,torecordandcirculatethiscredit,theywouldnotsoonagreeoncertaintallies,tokens,tickets,orcounters?

48Whetherreflectioninthebettersortmightnotsoonremedyourevils?Andwhetherourrealdefectbenotawrongwayofthinking?

49Whetheritwouldnotbeanunhappyturninourgentlemen,iftheyshouldtakemorethoughttocreateaninteresttothemselvesinthisorthatcounty,orborough,thantopromotetherealinterestoftheircountry?

50Whetherifamanbuildsahousehedothnotinthefirstplaceprovideaplanwhichgovernshiswork?Andshallthepubicactwithoutanend,aview,aplan?

51Whetherbyhowmuchthelessparticularfolkthinkforthemselves,thepublicbenotsomuchthemoreobligedtothinkforthem?

52Whethersmallgainsbenotthewaytogreatprofit?Andifourtradesmenarebeggars,whethertheymaynotthankthemselvesforit?

53Whethersomewaymightnotbefoundformakingcriminalsusefulinpublicworks,insteadofsendingthemeithertoAmerica,ortotheotherworld?

54Whetherwemaynot,aswellasothernations,contriveemploymentforthem?Andwhetherservitude,chains,andhardlabour,foratermofyears,wouldnotbeamorediscouragingaswellasamoreadequatepunishmentforfelonsthanevendeathitself?

55WhethertherearenotsuchthingsinHollandasbetteringhousesforbringingyounggentlementoorder?Andwhethersuchaninstitutionwouldbeuselessamongus?

56WhetheritbetruethatthepoorinHollandhavenoresourcebuttheirownlabour,andyettherearenobeggarsintheirstreets?

57Whetherhewhoseluxuryconsumethforeignproducts,andwhoseindustryproducethnothingdomestictoexchangeforthem,isnotsofarforthinjurioustohiscountry?

58Whethernecessityisnottobehearkenedtobeforeconvenience,andconveniencebeforeluxury?

59Whethertoprovideplentifullyforthepoorbenotfeedingtheroot,thesubstancewhereofwillshootupwardsintothebranches,andcausethetoptoflourish?

60WhethertherebeanyinstanceofaStatewhereinthepeople,livingneatlyandplentifully,didnotaspiretowealth?

61Whethernastinessandbeggarydonot,onthecontrary,extinguishallsuchambition,makingmenlistless,hopeless,andslothful?

62Whetheracountryinhabitedbypeoplewellfed,clothedandlodgedwouldnotbecomeeverydaymorepopulous?Andwhetheranumerousstockofpeopleinsuchcircumstanceswould?andhowfartheproductofnotconstituteaflourishingnation;ourowncountrymaysufficeforthecompassingofthisend?

63Whetherapeoplewhohadprovidedthemselveswiththenecessariesoflifeingoodplentywouldnotsoonextendtheirindustrytonewartsandnewbranchesofcommerce?

64WhetherthosesamemanufactureswhichEnglandimportsfromothercountriesmaynotbeadmittedfromIreland?And,ifso,whetherlace,carpets,andtapestry,threeconsiderablearticlesofEnglishimportation,mightnotfindencouragementinIreland?

Andwhetheranacademyfordesignmightnotgreatlyconducetotheperfectingthosemanufacturesamongus?

65WhetherFranceandFlanderscouldhavedrawnsomuchmoneyfromEnglandforfiguredsilks,lace,andtapestry,iftheyhadnothadacademiesfordesigning?

66Whether,whenaroomwasonceprepared,andmodelsinplasterofParis,theannualexpenseofsuchanacademyneedstandthepubicinabovetwohundredpoundsayear?

67Whetherourlinen—manufacturewouldnotfindthebenefitofthisinstitution?AndwhethertherebeanythingthatmakesusfallshortoftheDutchindamasks,diapers,andprintedlinen,butourignoranceindesign?

68Whetherthosewhomayslightthisaffairasnotionalhavesufficientlyconsideredtheextensiveuseoftheartofdesign,anditsinfluenceinmosttradesandmanufactures,whereintheformsofthingsareoftenmoreregardedthanthematerials?

69Whethertherebeanyartsoonerlearnedthanthatofmakingcarpets?Andwhetherourwomen,withlittletimeandpains,maynotmakemorebeautifulcarpetsthanthoseimportedfromTurkey?

Andwhetherthisbranchofthewoollenmanufacturebenotopentous?

70Whetherhumanindustrycanproduce,fromsuchcheapmaterials,amanufactureofsogreatvaluebyanyotherartasbythoseofsculptureandpainting?

71Whetherpicturesandstatuesarenotinfactsomuchtreasure?

AndwhetherRomeandFlorencewouldnotbepoortownswithoutthem?

72Whethertheydonotbringreadymoneyaswellasjewels?

WhetherinItalydebtsarenotpaid,andchildrenportionedwiththem,aswithgoldandsilver?

73Whetheritwouldnotbemoreprudent,tostrikeoutandexertourselvesinpermittedbranchesoftrade,thantofoldourhands,andrepinethatwearenotallowedthewoollen?

74WhetheritbetruethattwomillionsareyearlyexpendedbyEnglandinforeignlaceandlinen?

75WhetherimmensesumsarenotdrawnyearlyintotheNortherncountries,forsupplyingtheBritishnavywithhempenmanufactures?

76Whethertherebeanythingmoreprofitablethan。hemp?Andwhetherthereshouldnotbegreatpremiumsforencouragingourhempentrade?WhatadvantagesmaynotGreatBritainmakeofacountrywherelandandlabouraresocheap?

77WhetherIrelandalonemightnotraisehempsufficientfortheBritishnavy?AndwhetheritwouldnotbevaintoexpectthisfromtheBritishColoniesinAmerica,wherehandsaresoscarce,andlaboursoexcessivelydear?

78Whether,ifourownpeoplewantwillorcapacityforsuchanattempt,itmightnotbeworthwhileforsomeundertakingspiritsinEnglandtomakesettlements,andraisehempinthecountiesofClareandLimerick,thanwhich,perhaps,thereisnotfitterlandintheworldforthatpurpose?Andwhetherbothnationswouldnotfindtheiradvantagetherein?

79Whetherifalltheidlehandsinthiskingdomwereemployedonhempandflax,wemightnotfindsufficientventforthesemanufactures?

80Howfaritmaybeinourownpowertobetterouraffairs,withoutinterferingwithourneighbours?

81Whethertheprohibitionofourwoollentradeoughtnotnaturallytoputusonothermethodswhichgivenojealousy?

82Whetherpaperbenotavaluablearticleofcommerce?AndwhetheritbenottruethatonesinglebooksellerinLondonyearlyexpendedabovefourthousandpoundsinthatforeigncommodity?

83HowitcomestopassthattheVenetiansandGenoese,whowearsomuchlesslinen,andsomuchworsethanwedo,shouldyetmakeverygoodpaper,andingreatquantity,whilewemakeverylittle?

84Howlongitwillbebeforemycountrymenfindoutthatitisworthwhiletospendapennyinordertogetagroat?

85Ifallthelandweretilledthatisfitfortillage,andallthatsowedwithhempandflaxthatisfitforraisingthem,whetherweshouldhavemuchsheep—walkbeyondwhatwassufficienttosupplythenecessitiesofthekingdom?

86Whetherothercountrieshavenotflourishedwithoutthewoollentrade?

87Whetheritbenotasuresignoreffectofacountry’sinhabitants?And,thriving,toseeitwellcultivatedandfullof;ifso,whetheragreatquantityofsheep—walkbenotruinoustoacountry,renderingitwasteandthinlyinhabited?

88WhethertheemployingsomuchofourlandundersheepbenotinfactanIrishblunder?

89WhetherourhankeringafterourwoollentradebenotthetrueandonlyreasonwhichhathcreatedajealousyinEnglandtowardsIreland?Andwhetheranythingcanhurtusmorethansuchjealousy?

90Whetheritbenotthetrueinterestofbothnationstobecomeonepeople?Andwhethereitherbesufficientlyapprisedofthis?

91WhethertheupperpartofthispeoplearenottrulyEnglish,byblood,language,religion,manners,inclination,andinterest?

92WhetherwearenotasmuchEnglishmenasthechildrenofoldRomans,borninBritain,werestillRomans?

93Whetheritbenotourtrueinterestnottointerferewiththem;and,ineveryothercase,whetheritbenottheirtrueinteresttobefriendus?

94WhetheramintinIrelandmightnotbeofgreatconveniencetothekingdom;andwhetheritcouldbeattendedwithanypossibleinconveniencetoGreatBritain?AndwhethertherewerenotmintsinNaplesandSicily,whenthosekingdomswereprovincestoSpainorthehouseofAustria?

95WhetheranythingcanbemoreridiculousthanforthenorthofIrelandtobejealousofalinenmanufacturerinthesouth?

96WhetherthecountyofTipperarybenotmuchbetterlandthanthecountyofArmagh;andyetwhetherthelatterisnotmuchbetterimprovedandinhabitedthantheformer?

97Whethereverylandlordinthekingdomdothnotknowthecauseofthis?Andyethowfewarethebetterforsuchtheirknowledge?

98Whetherlargefarmsunderfewhands,orsmallonesundermany,arelikelytobemademostof?Andwhetherflaxandtillagedonotnaturallymultiplyhands,anddividelandintosmallholdings,andwell—improved?

99Whether,asourexportsarelessened,weoughtnottolessenourimports?Andwhetherthesewillnotbelessenedasourdemands,andtheseasourwants,andtheseasourcustomsorfashions?Ofhowgreatconsequencethereforearefashionstothepublic?

100Whetheritwouldnotbemorereasonabletomendourstatethantocomplainofit;andhowfarthismaybeinourownpower?

101WhatthenationgainsbythosewholiveinIrelandupontheproduceofforeignCountries?

102Howfarthevanityofourladiesindressing,andofourgentlemenindrinking,contributestothegeneralmiseryofthepeople?

103Whethernations,aswiseandopulentasours,havenotmadesumptuarylaws;andwhathindersusfromdoingthesame?

104Whetherthosewhodrinkforeignliquors,anddeckthemselvesandtheirfamilieswithforeignornaments,arenotsofarforthtobereckonedabsentees?

105Whether,asourtradeislimited,weoughtnottolimitourexpenses;andwhetherthisbenotthenaturalandobviousremedy?

106Whetherthedirt,andfamine,andnakednessofthebulkofourpeoplemightnotberemedied,evenalthoughwehadnoforeigntrade?Andwhetherthisshouldnotbeourfirstcare;andwhether,ifthiswereonceprovidedfor,theconveniencesoftherichwouldnotsoonfollow?

107Whethercomfortablelivingdothnotproducewants,andwantsindustry,andindustrywealth?

108WhetherthereisnotagreatdifferencebetweenHollandandIreland?Andwhetherforeigncommerce,withoutwhichtheonecouldnotsubsist,besonecessaryfortheother?

109Mightwenotputahandtotheplough,orthespade,althoughwehadnoforeigncommerce?

110Whethertheexigenciesofnaturearenottobeansweredbyindustryonourownsoil?Andhowfartheconveniencesandcomfortsoflifemaybeprocuredbyadomesticcommercebetweentheseveralpartsofthiskingdom?

111Whetherthewomenmaynotsew,spin,weave,embroidersufficientlyfortheembellishmentoftheirpersons,andevenenoughtoraiseenvyineachother,withoutbeingbeholdentoforeigncountries?

112Supposethebulkofourinhabitantshadshoestotheirfeet,clothestotheirbacks,andbeefintheirbellies,mightnotsuchastatebeeligibleforthepublic,eventhoughthesquireswerecondemnedtodrinkaleandcider?

113Whether,ifdrunkennessbeanecessaryevil,menmaynotaswelldrinkthegrowthoftheirowncountry?

114Whetheranationwithinitselfmightnothaverealwealth,sufficienttogiveitsinhabitantspoweranddistinction,withoutthehelpofgoldandsilver?

115Whether,iftheartsofsculptureandpaintingwereencouragedamongus,wemightnotfurnishourhousesinamuchnoblermannerwithourownmanufactures?

116Whetherwehavenot,ormaynothave,allthenecessarymaterialsforbuildingathome?

117WhethertilesandplastermaynotsupplytheplaceofNorwayfirforflooringandwainscot?

118Whetherplasterbenotwarmer,aswellasmoresecure,thandeal?Andwhetheramodernfashionablehouse,linedwithfir,daubedoverwithoilandpaint,benotlikeafire—ship,readytobelightedupbyallaccidents?

119Whetherlargerhouses,betterbuiltandfurnished,agreatertrainofservants,thedifferencewithregardtoequipageandtablebetweenfinerandcoarser,moreandlesselegant,maynotbesufficienttofeedareasonableshareofvanity,orsupportallproperdistinctions?Andwhetherallthesemaynotbeprocuredbydomesticindustryoutofthefourelements,withoutransackingthefourquartersoftheglobe?

120Whetheranythingisanoblerornament,intheeyeoftheworld,thananItalianpalace,thatis,stoneandmortarskilfullyputtogether,andadornedwithsculptureandpainting;

andwhetherthismaynotbecompassedwithoutforeigntrade?

121Whetheranexpenseingardensandplantationswouldnotbeanelegantdistinctionfortherich,adomesticmagnificenceemployingmanyhandswithin,anddrawingnothingfromabroad?

122WhethertheapologywhichismadeforforeignluxuryinEngland,towit,thattheycouldnotcarryontheirtradewithoutimportsaswellasexports,willholdinIreland?

123Whetheronemaynotbeallowedtoconceiveandsupposeasocietyornationofhumancreatures,cladinwoollenclothsandstuffs,eatinggoodbread,beefandmutton,poultryandfish,ingreatplenty,drinkingale,mead,andcider,inhabitingdecenthousesbuiltofbrickandmarble,takingtheirpleasureinfairparksandgardens,dependingonnoforeignimportseitherforfoodorraiment?Andwhethersuchpeopleoughtmuchtobepitied?

124WhetherIrelandbenotaswellqualifiedforsuchastateasanynationunderthesun?

125Whetherinsuchastatetheinhabitantsmaynotcontrivetopassthetwenty—fourhourswithtolerableeaseandcheerfulness?

Andwhetheranypeopleuponearthcandomore?

126Whethertheymaynoteat,drink,play,dress,visit,sleepingoodbeds,sitbygoodfires,build,plant,raiseaname,makeestates,andspendthem?

127Whether,uponthewhole,adomestictrademaynotsufficeinsuchacountryasIreland,tonourishandclotheitsinhabitants,andprovidethemwiththereasonableconveniencesandevencomfortsoflife?

128Whetherageneralhabitoflivingwellwouldnotproducenumbersandindustry’andwhether,consideringthetendencyofhumankind,theconsequencethereofwouldnotbeforeigntradeandriches,howunnecessarysoever?

129Whether,nevertheless,itbeacrimetoinquirehowfarwemaydowithoutforeigntrade,andwhatwouldfollowonsuchasupposition?

130Whetherthenumberandwelfareofthesubjectsbenotthetruestrengthofthecrown?

131Whetherinallpublicinstitutionsthereshouldnotbeanendproposed,whichistobetheruleandlimitofthemeans?Whetherthisendshouldnotbethewell—beingofthewhole?Andwhether,inordertothis,thefirststepshouldnotbetoclotheandfeedourpeople?

132WhethertherebeuponearthanyChristianorcivilizedpeoplesobeggarly,wretched,anddestituteasthecommonIrish?

133Whether,nevertheless,thereisanyotherpeoplewhosewantsmaybemoreeasilysuppliedfromhome?

134Whether,iftherewasawallofbrassathousandcubitshighroundthiskingdom,ournativesmightnotneverthelesslivecleanlyandcomfortably,tilltheland,andreapthefruitsofit?

135Whatshouldhinderusfromexertingourselves,usingourhandsandbrains,doingsomethingorother,man,woman,andchild,liketheotherinhabitantsofGod’searth?

136Betherestrainingourtradewellorilladvisedinourneighbours,withrespecttotheirowninterest,yetwhetheritbenotplainlyourstoaccommodateourselvestoit?

137Whetheritbenotvaintothinkofpersuadingotherpeopletoseetheirinterest,whilewecontinueblindtoourown?

138Whethertherebeanyothernationpossessedofsomuchgoodland,andsomanyablehandstoworkit,whichyetisbeholdenforbreadtoforeigncountries?

139Whetheritbetruethatweimportcorntothevalueoftwohundredthousandpoundsinsomeyears?

140Whetherwearenotundonebyfashionsmadeforotherpeople?

Andwhetheritbenotmadnessinapoornationtoimitatearichone?

141Whetherawomanoffashionoughtnottobedeclaredapublicenemy?

142WhetheritbenotcertainthatfromthesingletownofCorkwereexported,inoneyear,nolessthanonehundredandseventhousandonehundredandsixty—onebarrelsofbeef;seventhousandthreehundredandseventy—ninebarrelsofpork;thirteenthousandfourhundredandsixty—onecasks,andeighty—fivethousandsevenhundredandtwenty—sevenfirkinsofbutter?Andwhathandswereemployedinthismanufacture?

143Whetheraforeignercouldimaginethatonehalfofthepeoplewerestarving,inacountrywhichsentoutsuchplentyofprovisions?

144WhetheranIrishlady,setoutwithFrenchsilksandFlanderslace,maynotbesaidtoconsumemorebeefandbutterthanahundredofourlabouringpeasants?

145Whethernine—tenthsofourforeigntradebenotcarriedonsinglytosupportthearticleofvanity?

146Whetheritcanbehopedthatprivatepersonswillnotindulgethisfolly,unlessrestrainedbythepublic?

147Howvanityismaintainedinothercountries?WhetherinHungary,forinstance,aproudnobilityarenotsubsistedwithsmallimportsfromabroad?

148WhethertherebeaprouderpeopleuponearththanthenobleVenetians,althoughtheyallwearplainblackclothes?

149Whetherapeoplearetobepitiedthatwillnotsacrificetheirlittleparticularvanitiestothepublic。good?Andyet,whethereachpartwouldnotexcepttheirownfoiblefromthispublicsacrifice,thesquirehisbottle,theladyherlace?

150Whetherclaretbenotoftendrankratherforvanitythanforhealth,orpleasure?

151Whetheritbetruethatmenofnicepalateshavebeenimposedon,byelderwineforFrenchclaret,andbymeadforpalmsack?

152DonotEnglishmenabroadpurchasebeerandciderattentimesthepriceofwine?

153HowmanygentlemenarethereinEnglandofathousandpoundsperannumwhoneverdrinkwineintheirownhouses?WhetherthesamemaybesaidofanyinIrelandwhohaveeven?onehundredpoundsperannum。

154WhatreasonshaveourneighboursinEnglandfordiscouragingFrenchwineswhichmaynotholdwithrespecttousalso?

155Howmuchofthenecessarysustenanceofourpeopleisyearlyexportedforbrandy?

156Whether,ifpeoplemustpoisonthemselves,theyhadnotbetterdoitwiththeirowngrowth?

157IfweimportedneitherclaretfromFrance,norfirfromNorway,whatthenationwouldsavebyit?

158Whentherootyieldethinsufficientnourishment,whethermendonottopthetreetomakethelowerbranchesthrive?

159Whether,ifourladiesdranksageorbalmteaoutofIrishware,itwouldbeaninsupportablenationalcalamity?

160Whetheritbereallytruethatsuchwineisbestasmostencouragesdrinking,i。e。,thatmustbegiveninthelargestdosetoproduceitseffect?Andwhetherthisholdswithregardtoanyothermedicine?

161Whetherthattradeshouldnotbeaccountedmostperniciouswhereinthebalanceismostagainstus?AndwhetherthisbenotthetradewithFrance?

162Whetheritbenotevenmadnesstoencouragetradewithanationthattakesnothingofourmanufacture?

163WhetherIrelandcanhopetothriveifthemajorpartofherpatriotsshallbefoundintheFrenchinterest?

164WhethergreatplentyandvarietyofexcellentwinesarenottobehadonthecoastsofItalyandSicily?Andwhetherthosecountrieswouldnottakeourcommoditiesoflinen,leather,butter,etc。inexchangeforthem?

165Particularly,whethertheVinumMamertinum,whichgrowsonthemountainsaboutMessina,aredgenerouswine,highlyesteemed(ifwemaycreditPliny)bytheancientRomans,wouldnotcomecheap,andpleasethepalatesofourIslanders?

166Why,ifabribebythepalateorthepursebeineffectthesamething,theyshouldnotbealikeinfamous?

167Whetherthevanityandluxuryofafewoughttostandincompetitionwiththeinterestofanation?

168Whethernationalwantsoughtnottobetheruleoftrade?Andwhetherthemostpressingwantsof。themajorityoughtnottobefirstconsidered?

169Whetheritispossiblethecountryshouldbewellimproved,whileourbeefisexported,andourlabourersliveuponpotatoes?

170Ifitberesolvedthatwecannotdowithoutforeigntrade,whether,atleast,itmaynotbeworthwhiletoconsiderwhatbranchesthereofdeservetobeentertained,andhowfarwemaybeabletocarryitonunderourpresentlimitations?

171Whatforeignimportsmaybenecessaryforclothingandfeedingthefamiliesofpersonsnotworthaboveonehundredpoundsayear?Andhowmanywealthierthereareinthekingdom,andwhatproportiontheybeartotheotherinhabitants?

172Whethertradebenotthenonarightfoot,whenforeigncommoditiesareimportedinexchangeonlyfordomesticsuperfluities?

173Whetherthequantitiesofbeef,butter,wool,andleather,exportedfromthisisland,canbereckonedthesuperfluitiesofacountry,wheretherearesomanynativesnakedandfamished?

174Whetheritwouldnotbewisesotoorderourtradeastoexportmanufacturesratherthanprovisions,andofthosesuchasemploymosthands?

175Whethershewouldnotbeaveryvilematron,andjustlythoughteithermadorfoolish,thatshouldgiveawaythenecessariesoflifefromhernakedandfamishedchildren,inexchangeforpearlstostickinherhair,andsweetmeatstopleaseherownpalate?

176Whetheranationmightnotbeconsideredasafamily?

177WhethertheremarkmadebyaVenetianambassadortoCardinalRichelieu——’ThatFranceneedednothingtoberichandeasy,buttoknowhowtospendwhatshedissipates’maynotbeofusealsotootherpeople?

178Whetherhungrycattlewillnotleapoverbounds?Andwhethermostmenarenothungryinacountrywhereexpensivefashionsobtain?

179Whetherthereshouldnotbepublishedyearly,schedulesofourtrade,containinganaccountoftheimportsandexportsoftheforegoingyear?

180Whetherothermethodsmaynotbefoundforsupplyingthefunds,besidesthecustomonthingsimported?

181Whetheranyartormanufacturebesodifficultasthemakingofgoodlaws?

182Whetherourpeersandgentlemenarebornlegislators?Or,whetherthatfacultybeacquiredbystudyandreflection?

183Whethertocomprehendtherealinterestofapeople,andthemeanstoprocureit,dothnotimplysomefundofknowledge,historical,moral,andpolitical,withafacultyofreasonimprovedbylearning?

184WhethereveryenemytolearningbenotaGoth?AndwhethereverysuchGothamongusbenotanenemytothecountry?

185Whether,therefore,itwouldnotbeanomenofillpresage,adreadfulphenomenonintheland,ifourgreatmenshouldtakeitintheirheadstoderidelearningandeducation?

186Whether,onthecontrary,itshouldnotseemworthwhiletoerectamartofliteratureinthiskingdom,underwiserregulationsandbetterdisciplinethaninanyotherpartofEurope?Andwhetherthiswouldnotbeaninfalliblemeansofdrawingmenandmoneyintothekingdom?

187Whetherthegovernedbenottoonumerousforthegoverningpartofourcollege?Andwhetheritmightnotbeexpedienttoconvertthirtynatives—placesintotwentyfellowships?

188Whether,ifwehadtwocolleges,theremightnotspringausefulemulationbetweenthem?Andwhetheritmightnotbecontrivedsotodividethefellows,scholars,andrevenuesbetweenboth,asthatnomembershouldbealoserthereby?

189Whethertenthousandpoundswelllaidoutmightnotbuildadecentcollege,fittocontaintwohundredpersons;andwhetherthepurchasemoneyofthechamberswouldnotgoagoodwaytowardsdefrayingtheexpense?

190Wherethiscollegeshouldbesituated?

191Whether,inimitationoftheJesuitsatParis,whoadmitProtestantstostudyintheircolleges,itmaynotberightforusalsotoadmitRomanCatholicsintoourcollege,withoutobligingthemtoattendchapelduties,orcatechisms,ordivinitylectures?Andwhetherthismightnotkeepmoneyinthekingdom,andpreventtheprejudicesofaforeigneducation?

192WhetheritispossibleaStateshouldnotthrive,whereofthelowerpartwereindustrious,andtheupperwise?

193Whetherthecollectedwisdomofagesandnationsbenotfoundinbooks?

194WhetherThemistocleshisartofmakingalittlecity,oralittlepeople,becomeagreatonebelearnedanywheresowellasinthewritingsoftheancients?

195WhetherawiseStatehathanyinterestnearerheartthantheeducationofyouth?

196Whetherthemind,likesoil,dothnotbydisusegrowstiffandwhetherreasoningandstudybenotlikestirringanddividingtheglebe?

197Whetheranearlyhabitofreflexion,althoughobtainedbyspeculativesciences,maynothaveitsuseinpracticalaffairs?

198Whethereventhosepartsofacademicallearningwhicharequiteforgottenmaynothaveimprovedandenrichedthesoil,likethosevegetableswhichareraised,notforthemselves,butploughedinforadressingofland?

199WhetheritwasnotanIrishprofessorwhofirstopenedthepublicschoolsatOxford?Whetherthisislandhathnotbeenancientlyfamousforlearning?Andwhetheratthisdayithathanybetterchanceforbeingconsiderable?

200Whetherwemaynotwithbettergracesitdownandcomplain,whenwehavedoneallthatliesinourpowertohelpourselves?

201Whetherthegentlemanofestatehatharighttobeidle;andwhetherheoughtnottobethegreatpromoteranddirectorofindustryamonghistenantsandneighbours?

202WhetherinthecantonsofSwitzerlandallunderthirtyyearsofagearenotexcludedfromtheirgreatcouncils?

203WhetherHomer’scompendiumofeducation,wouldnotbeagoodruleformoderneducatorsofyouth?Andwhetherhalfthelearningandstudyofthesekingdomsisnotuseless,forwantofaproperdeliveryandpunctuationbeingtaughtinourschoolsandcolleges?

204Whetherinanyorderagoodbuildingcanbemadeofbadmaterials?OrwhetheranyformofgovernmentcanmakeahappyStateoutofbadindividuals?

205WhatwasitthatSolomoncomparedtoajewelofgoldinaswine’ssnout?

206Whetherthepublicismoreconcernedinanythingthanintheprocreationofablecitizens?

207Whethertothemultiplyingofhumankind,itwouldnotmuchconduceifmarriagesweremadewithgood—liking?

208Whether,ifwomenhadnoportions,weshouldthenseesomanyunhappyandunfruitfulmarriages?

209Whetherthelawsbenot,accordingtoAristotle,amindwithoutappetiteorpassion?Andconsequentlywithoutrespectofpersons?

210Supposearichman’ssonmarriesapoorman’sdaughter,supposealsothatapoorman’sdaughterisdeludedanddebauchedbythesonofarichman;whichismosttobepitied?

211Whetherthepunishmentshouldbeplacedontheseducedortheseducer?

212WhetherapromisemadebeforeGodandmaninthemostsolemnmanneroughttobeviolated?

213WhetheritwasPlato’sopinionthat,’forthegoodofthecommunity,richshouldmarrywithrich?’—DeLeg。lib。iv。

214Whether,asseedequallyscatteredproducethagoodlyharvest,evensoanequaldistributionofwealthdothnotcauseanationtoflourish?

215WhenceisitthatBarbsandArabsaresogoodhorses?Andwhetherinthosecountriestheyarenotexactlyniceinadmittingnonebutmalesofagoodkindtotheirmares?

216Whateffectswouldthesamecareproduceinfamilies?

217Whethertherealfoundationforwealthmustnotbelaidinthenumbers,thefrugality,andtheindustryofthepeople?Andwhetherallattemptstoenrichanationbyothermeans,asraisingthecoin,stock—jobbing,andsuchartsarenotvain?

218Whetheradooroughtnottobeshutagainstallothermethodsofgrowingrich,saveonlybyindustryand。merit?Andwhetherwealthgototherwisewouldnotberuinoustothepublic?

219Whethertheabuseofbanksandpaper—moneyisajustobjectionagainsttheusethereof?Andwhethersuchabusemightnoteasilybeprevented?

220WhethernationalbanksarenotfoundusefulinVenice,Holland,andHamburg?AndwhetheritisnotpossibletocontriveonethatmaybeusefulalsoinIreland?

221WhetherthebanksofVeniceandAmsterdamarenotinthehandsofthepublic?

222Whetheritmaynotbeworthwhiletoinformourselvesinthenatureofthosebanks?AndwhatreasoncanbeassignedwhyIrelandshouldnotreapthebenefitofsuchpublicbanksaswellasothercountries?

223Whetherabankofnationalcredit,supportedbypublicfundsandsecuredbyParliament,beachimeraorimpossiblething?Andifnot,whatwouldfollowfromthesupposalofsuchabank?

224Whetherthecurrencyofacreditsowellsecuredwouldnotbeofgreatadvantagetoourtradeandmanufactures?

225Whetherthenotesofsuchpublicbankwouldnothaveamoregeneralcirculationthanthoseofprivatebanks,asbeinglesssubjecttofraudsandhazards?

226Whetheritbenotagreedthatpaperhathinmanyrespectstheadvantageabovecoin,asbeingofmoredispatchinpayments,moreeasilytransferred,preserved,andrecoveredwhenlost?

227Whether,besidestheseadvantages,therebenotanevidentnecessityforcirculatingcreditbypaper,fromthedefectofcoininthiskingdom?

228Whetheritberightlyremarkedbysomethat,asbankingbringsnotreasureintothekingdomliketrade,privatewealthmustsinkasthebankriseth?Andwhetherwhatevercausethindustrytoflourishandcirculatemaynotbesaidtoincreaseourtreasure?

229WhethertheruinouseffectsofMississippi,SouthSea,1andsuchschemeswerenotowingtoanabuseofpapermoneyorcredit,inmakingitameansforidlenessandgaming,insteadofamotiveandhelptoindustry?

230WhethertheriseofthebankofAmsterdamwasnotpurelycasual,forthesecurityanddispatchofpayments?Andwhetherthegoodeffectsthereof,insupplyingtheplaceofcoin,andpromotingareadycirculationofindustryandcommercemaynotbealessontous,todothatbydesignwhichothersfelluponbychance?

231Whetherplentyofsmallcashbenotabsolutelynecessaryforkeepingupacirculationamongthepeople;thatis,whethercopperbenotmorenecessarythangold?

232Whetherthatwhichincreaseththestockofanationbenotameansofincreasingitstrade?Andwhetherthatwhichincreaseththecurrentcreditofanationmaynotbesaidtoincreaseitsstock?

233WhetherthecreditofthepubicfundsbenotamineofgoldtoEngland?Andwhetheranystepthatshouldlessenthiscreditoughtnottobedreaded?

234WhethersuchcreditbenottheprincipaladvantagethatEnglandhathoverFrance?Imayadd,overeveryothercountryinEurope?

235Whetherbythisthepublicisnotbecomepossessedofthewealthofforeignersaswellasnatives?AndwhetherEnglandbenotinsomesortthetreasuryofChristendom?

236Whether,asourcurrentdomesticcreditgrew,industrywouldnotgrowlikewise;andifindustry,ourmanufactures;andifthese,ourforeigncredit?

237Whetherforeigndemandsmaynotbeansweredbyourexportswithoutdrawingcashoutofthekingdom?

238Whetherasindustryincreased,ourmanufactureswouldnotflourish;andastheseflourished,whetherbetterreturnswouldnotbemadefromestatestotheirlandlords,bothwithinandwithoutthekingdom?

239Whetherthesurewaytosupplypeoplewithtoolsandmaterials,andtosetthematwork,benotafreecirculationofmoney,whethersilverorpaper?

240WhetherinNewEnglandalltradeandbusinessisnotasmuchatastand,uponascarcityofpaper—money,aswithusfromthewantofspecie?

241WhetheritbecertainthatthequantityofsilverinthebankofAmsterdambegreaternowthanatfirst;butwhetheritbenotcertainthatthereisagreatercirculationofindustryandextentoftrade,morepeople,ships,houses,andcommoditiesofallsorts,morepowerbyseaandland?

242Whethermoney,lyingdeadinthebankofAmsterdam,wouldnotbeasuselessasinthemine?

243Whetherourvisiblesecurityinlandcouldbedoubted?AndwhethertherebeanythinglikethisinthebankofAmsterdam?

244Whetheritbejusttoapprehenddangerfromtrustinganationalbankwithpowertoextenditscredit,tocirculatenoteswhichitshallbefelonytocounterfeit,toreceivegoodsonloans,topurchaselands,tosellalsooralienatethem,andtodealinbillsofexchange;whenthesepowersarenootherthanhavebeentrustedformanyyearswiththebankofEngland,althoughintruthbutaprivatebank?

245Whethertheobjectionfrommonopoliesandanovergrowthofpower,whicharemadeagainstprivatebanks,canpossiblyholdagainstanationalone?

246Whethertheevileffectswhichoflateyearshaveattendedpaper—moneyandcreditinEuropedidnotspringfromsubscriptions,shares,dividends,andstock—jobbing?

247Whetherthegreatevilsattendingpaper—moneyintheBritishPlantationsofAmericahavenotsprungfromtheoverratingtheirlands,andissuingpaperwithoutdiscretion,andfromthelegislatorsbreakingtheirownrulesinfavourofthemselves,thussacrificingthepublictotheirprivatebenefit?Andwhetheralittlesenseandhonestymightnoteasilypreventallsuchinconveniences?

248Whetherthesubjectoffree—thinkinginreligionbenotexhausted?Andwhetheritbenothightimeforourfreethinkerstoturntheirthoughtstotheimprovementoftheircountry?

249Whetheritmustnotberuinousforanationtositdowntogame,beitwithsilverorwithpaper?

250Whether,therefore,thecirculatingpaper,inthelateruinousschemesofFranceandEngland,wasthetrueevil,andnotratherthecirculatingthereofwithoutindustry?AndwhetherthebankofAmsterdam,whereindustryhadbeenforsomanyyearssubsistedandcirculatedbytransfersonpaper,dothnotclearlydecidethispoint?

251WhethertherearenottobeseeninAmericafair,towns,whereinthepeoplearewelllodged,fed,andclothed,withoutabeggarintheirstreets,althoughtherebenotonegrainofgoldorsilvercurrentamongthem?