The Querist: Containing Several Queries Proposed to the Consideration of the PublicBerkeley, George
Philosophy
The Querist: Containing Several Queries Proposed to the Consideration of the Public
Berkeley, George
Great Britain -- Economic conditions -- 18th century; Great Britain -- Economic policy; Wealth
113. Qu. Whether England, which hath a free trade, whatever she
remits for foreign luxury with one hand, doth not with the other
receive much more from abroad? Whether, nevertheless, this nation
would not be a gainer, if our women would content themselves with
the same moderation in point of expense as the English ladies?
114. Qu. But whether it be not a notorious truth that our Irish
ladies are on a foot, as to dress, with those of five times their
fortune in England?
115. Qu. Whether it be not even certain that the matrons of this
forlorn country send out a greater proportion of its wealth, for
fine apparel, than any other females on the whole surface of this
terraqueous globe?
116. Qu. Whether the expense, great as it is, be the greatest evil;
but whether this folly may not produce many other follies, an entire
derangement of domestic life, absurd manners, neglect of duties, bad
mothers, a general corruption in both sexes?
117. Qu. Whether therefore a tax on all gold and silver in apparel,
on all foreign laces and silks, may not raise a fund for the bank,
and at the same time have other salutary effects on the public?
118. Qu. But, if gentlemen had rather tax themselves in another way,
whether an additional tax of ten shillings the hogshead on wines may
not supply a sufficient fund for the national bank, all defects to
be made good by Parliament?
119. Qu. Whether upon the whole it may not be right to appoint a
national bank?
120. Qu. Whether the stock and security of such bank would not be,
in truth, the national stock, or the total sum of the wealth of this
kingdom?
121. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, there should not be a particular
fund for present use in answering bills and circulating credit?
122. Qu. Whether for this end any fund may not suffice, provided an
Act be passed for making good deficiencies?
123. Qu. Whether the sole proprietor of such bank should not be the
public, and the sole director the legislature?
124. Qu. Whether the managers, officers, and cashiers should not be
servants of the pubic, acting by orders and limited by rules of the
legislature?
125. Qu. Whether there should not be a standing number of
inspectors, one-third men in great office, the rest members of both
houses, half whereof to go out, and half to come in every session?
126. Qu. Whether those inspectors should not, all in a body, visit
twice a year, and three as often as they pleased?
127. Qu. Whether the general bank should not be in Dublin, and
subordinate banks or compters one in each province of Munster,
Ulster, and Connaught?
128. Qu. Whether there should not be such provisions of stamps,
signatures, checks, strong boxes, and all other measures for
securing the bank notes and cash, as are usual in other banks?
129. Qu. Whether these ten or a dozen last queries may not easily be
converted into heads of a bill?
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