a modest proposal-第3章
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Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients： Of taxing
our absentees at five shillings a pound： Of using neither
cloaths； nor houshold furniture； except what is of our own growth
and manufacture： Of utterly rejecting the materials and
instruments that promote foreign luxury： Of curing the
expensiveness of pride； vanity； idleness； and gaming in our
women： Of introducing a vein of parsimony； prudence and
temperance： Of learning to love our country； wherein we differ
even from Laplanders； and the inhabitants of Topinamboo： Of
quitting our animosities and factions； nor acting any longer like
the Jews； who were murdering one another at the very moment their
city was taken： Of being a little cautious not to sell our
country and consciences for nothing： Of teaching landlords to
have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants。 Lastly；
of putting a spirit of honesty； industry； and skill into our
shop…keepers； who； if a resolution could now be taken to buy only
our native goods； would immediately unite to cheat and exact upon
us in the price； the measure； and the goodness； nor could ever
yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing； though
often and earnestly invited to it。
Therefore I repeat； let no man talk to me of these and the like
expedients； 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope； that
there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them
into practice。
But； as to my self； having been wearied out for many years with
offering vain； idle； visionary thoughts； and at length utterly
despairing of success； I fortunately fell upon this proposal；
which； as it is wholly new； so it hath something solid and real；
of no expence and little trouble； full in our own power； and
whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England。 For this
kind of commodity will not bear exportation； and flesh being of
too tender a consistence； to admit a long continuance in salt；
although perhaps I could name a country； which would be glad to
eat up our whole nation without it。
After all； I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion； as to
reject any offer； proposed by wise men； which shall be found
equally innocent； cheap； easy； and effectual。 But before
something of that kind shall be advanced in contradiction to my
scheme； and offering a better； I desire the author or authors
will be pleased maturely to consider two points。 First； As things
now stand； how they will be able to find food and raiment for a
hundred thousand useless mouths and backs。 And secondly； There
being a round million of creatures in humane figure throughout
this kingdom； whose whole subsistence put into a common stock；
would leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling； adding
those who are beggars by profession； to the bulk of farmers；
cottagers and labourers； with their wives and children； who are
beggars in effect； I desire those politicians who dislike my
overture； and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer； that
they will first ask the parents of these mortals； whether they
would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been
sold for food at a year old； in the manner I prescribe； and
thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes； as
they have since gone through； by the oppression of landlords； the
impossibility of paying rent without money or trade； the want of
common sustenance； with neither house nor cloaths to cover them
from the inclemencies of the weather； and the most inevitable
prospect of intailing the like； or greater miseries； upon their
breed for ever。
I profess； in the sincerity of my heart； that I have not the
least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary
work； having no other motive than the publick good of my country；
by advancing our trade； providing for infants； relieving the
poor； and giving some pleasure to the rich。 I have no children；
by which I can propose to get a single penny； the youngest being
nine years old； and my wife past child…bearing。
End
