never so wise, rich, virtuous, valiant, and well qualified, they must
not be patricians, but keep their own rank, this is naturae bellum
inferre, odious to God and men, I abhor it. My form of government shall
be monarchical.
[626]nunquam libertas gratior extat,
Quam sub Rege pio, &c.
few laws, but those severely kept, plainly put down, and in the mother
tongue, that every man may understand. Every city shall have a peculiar
trade or privilege, by which it shall be chiefly maintained: [627]and
parents shall teach their children one of three at least, bring up and
instruct them in the mysteries of their own trade. In each town these
several tradesmen shall be so aptly disposed, as they shall free the
rest from danger or offence: fire-trades, as smiths, forge-men,
brewers, bakers, metal-men, &c., shall dwell apart by themselves:
dyers, tanners, fellmongers, and such as use water in convenient places
by themselves: noisome or fulsome for bad smells, as butchers'
slaughterhouses, chandlers, curriers, in remote places, and some back
lanes. Fraternities and companies, I approve of, as merchants' bourses,
colleges of druggists, physicians, musicians, &c., but all trades to be
rated in the sale of wares, as our clerks of the market do bakers and
brewers; corn itself, what scarcity soever shall come, not to extend
such a price. Of such wares as are transported or brought in, [628]if
they be necessary, commodious, and such as nearly concern man's life,
as corn, wood, coal, &c., and such provision we cannot want, I will
have little or no custom paid, no taxes; but for such things as are for
pleasure, delight, or ornament, as wine, spice, tobacco, silk, velvet,
cloth of gold, lace, jewels, &c., a greater impost. I will have certain
ships sent out for new discoveries every year, [629]and some discreet
men appointed to travel into all neighbouring kingdoms by land, which
shall observe what artificial inventions and good laws are in other
countries, customs, alterations, or aught else, concerning war or
peace, which may tend to the common good. Ecclesiastical discipline,
penes Episcopos, subordinate as the other. No impropriations, no lay
patrons of church livings, or one private man, but common societies,
corporations, &c., and those rectors of benefices to be chosen out of
the Universities, examined and approved, as the literati in China. No
parish to contain above a thousand auditors. If it were possible, I
would have such priest as should imitate Christ, charitable lawyers
should love their neighbours as themselves, temperate and modest
physicians, politicians contemn the world, philosophers should know
themselves, noblemen live honestly, tradesmen leave lying and cozening,
magistrates corruption, &c., but this is impossible, I must get such as
I may. I will therefore have [630]of lawyers, judges, advocates,
physicians, chirurgeons, &c., a set number, [631]and every man, if it
be possible, to plead his own cause, to tell that tale to the judge
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