Ans. The statement is untrue. A railway navvy consumes, usually, about six times as much as an average member of Parliament; and I know nothing which members of Parliament kill, except time, which other people would not kill, if they were allowed to. It is the Parliamentary tendency to preservation, rather than to destruction, which I have mostly heard complained of. 8. "The State undertakes the carriage and delivery of letters. Would it be just as consistent and advisable for the State to undertake the supply of unadulterated and wholesome food, clean and healthy dwellings, elementary, industrial, and scientific instruction, medical assistance, a national paper money, and other necessities?" Ans. All most desirable. But the tax-gatherers would have a busy life of it! 9. "Should not a State represent the co-operation of all the people of a country, for the benefit of all?" Ans. You mean, I suppose, by "a State" the Government of a State. The Government cannot "represent" such co-operation; but can enforce it, and should. 10. "Is the use of scarce metals as material of which to make 'currency,' economical and beneficent to a nation?" Ans. No; but often necessary: see 'Munera Pulveris,' chap. iii. 11. "Is that a right condition of a people, their laws, and their money which makes 'interest' for use of money legal and possible to obtain?" Ans. See 'Fors Clavigera,' throughout, which indeed I have written to save you the trouble of asking questions on such subjects. It might be well if my Republican correspondent for his own benefit, would write down an exact definition of the following terms used by him:-- 1. "Private property." 2. "Tax." 3. "State." FORS CLAVIGERA. LETTER XXVI. Brantwood, Coniston, 3rd January, 1873. "By St. George," said the English, "you say true!" If, by the same oath, the English could still, now-a-days, both say and do true, themselves, it would be a merrier England. I hear from those of my acquaintance who are unhappy enough to be engaged in commercial operations, that their correspondents are "failing in all directions." Failing! What business has anybody to fail?