Mr. Henley, a few months ago, brought forward a motion to deduct ten per cent. from all official salaries, and the motion was deservedly negatived. But such motions, when meant to meet a great difficulty, are too contemptible to notice; and would only pauperize the feelings of those who are already almost pauperized in purse. Let Mr. Henley think of the salaries paid at the Custom-House, the Post-Office, and Somerset House, before he again introduces a proposal on a principle so broad that it is unworthy a statesman, and insulting to an educated, an intelligent, and a trustworthy class. To reduce or pay off the national debt may be gigantic, but it is not impossible; and the writer closes the present chapter with a review of some of the proposals which have been laid before the public. In 1715, a pamphlet was published, entitled, “A Method that will enable the Government to pay off that Part of the Public Debt which is redeemable by Parliament,” by which twenty-one millions were to be paid in seventeen years, by bills of credit without interest. Soon after the accession of the present royal family, Mr. Archibald Hutcheson presented a plan which excited much attention at the time, and is well entitled to recapitulation; and his principal propositions were,— 1. That the sums severally assessed on the lands of Great Britain for the land-tax of 1713 be made payable as a rent-charge in fee for ever, out of the several respective lands, redeemable at any time by the proprietors paying twenty-two years’ purchase. 2. That the said rents, or the money raised by redemption or assignments of the same, be applied to the discharge of the public debt. 3. That one tenth part of all annuities for life, and all other rents issuing out of the aforesaid lands, and of all sums of money secured by mortgage, and of all other debts which affect lands, be entirely remitted to their respective proprietors. 4. That the proprietors of such land be empowered to sell so much of them as shall be sufficient to redeem the aforesaid respective rent-charges. 5. That one tenth part of all the debts secured by public funds be remitted. 6. That one tenth part of all the other net personal estates of all the inhabitants of Great Britain, which affect land and public funds, be applied to the payment of the public debt. 7. That 2_s._ in the pound be made payable yearly out of the salaries and perquisites of all offices and places. 8. That the legal interest be reduced to four per cent. per annum.