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fail? Only look into the kitchens of the great, the nobility and gentry almost without exception, (considering withal that “ the toe of the peasant-treads on the heel of the courtier,') and when you have observed the amazing waste which is made there, you will no longer wonder at the scarcity, and consequently dearness of the things which they use so much art to destroy.
7. But why is land so dear?
Because on all these accounts, gentlemen cannot live as they have been accustomed to do, without increasing their income: which most of them cannot do but by raising their rents. And the farmer paying higher rent for his land, must have a higher price for the produce of it. This again tends to raise the price of land and so the wheel goes round.
8. But why is it, that not only provisions and land hu' well nigh every thing else is so dear ?
Because of the enormous taxes which are laid on almost every thing that can be named. Not only abundant taxes are raised, from earth, fire, and water but in England the ingenious statesmen have found a way to tax the very light! Only one element remains and surely some man of honour will ere long contrive to tax this also; for how long will the saucy air blow in the face of a gentleman, nay a lord, without paying for it?
9. But why are the taxes so high?
Because of the national debt. They must be while this bontinues. I have heard that the national expence, in time of peace, was, about a hundred years ago, three millions a-year. Now, the bare interest of the public debt amounts to about thirty millions! A raise which, with the other expences of government, those taxes are absolutely necessary.
Here is the evil, but where is the remedy? Perhaps
