第1章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Querist",免费读到尾

  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?

点击下载App,搜索"The Querist",免费读到尾