按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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