253.  Qu.  Whether any people upon earth shew a more early zeal for the service of their country, greater eagerness to bear a part in the legislature, or a more general parturiency with respect to politics and public counsels?

254.  Qu.  Whether, nevertheless, a light and ludicrous vein be not the reigning humour; but whether there was ever greater cause to be serious?

FINIS.

ERRATUM

Qu. 168, for Indulg’d, read ill judg’d.

Part III

Query 1.

Whether the fable of Hercules and the carter ever suited any nation like this nation of Ireland?

2.  Qu.  Whether it be not a new spectacle under the sun, to behold, in such a climate and such a soil, and under such a gentle government, so many roads untrodden, fields untilled, houses desolate, and hands unemployed?

3.  Qu.  Whether there is any country in Christendom, either kingdom or republic, depending or independent, free or enslaved, which may not afford us a useful lesson?

4.  Qu.  Whether the frugal Swisses have any other commodities but their butter and cheese and a few cattle, for exportation; whether, nevertheless, the single canton of Berne hath not in her public treasury two millions sterling?

5.  Qu.  Whether that small town of Berne, with its scanty barren territory, in a mountainous corner, without sea-ports, without manufactures, without mines, be not rich by mere dint of frugality?

6.  Qu.  Whether the Swisses in general have not sumptuary laws, prohibiting the use of gold, jewels, silver, silk, and lace in their apparel, and indulging the women only to wear silk on festivals, weddings, and public solemnities?

7.  Qu.  Whether there be not two ways of growing rich, sparing and getting?  But whether the lazy spendthrift must not be doubly poor?

8.  Qu.  Whether money circulating be not the life of industry; and whether the want thereof doth not render a State gouty and inactive?

9.  Qu.  But whether, if we had a national bank, and our present cash (small as it is) were put into the most convenient shape, men should hear any public complaints for want of money?

10.  Qu.  Whether all circulation be not alike a circulation of credit, whatsoever medium (metal or paper) is employed, and whether gold be any more than credit for so much power?

11.  Qu.  Whether the wealth of the richest nations in Christendom doth not consist in paper vastly more than in gold and silver?

12.  Qu.  Whether Lord Clarendon doth not aver of his own knowledge, that the Prince of Orange, with the best credit, and the assistance of the richest men in Amsterdam, was above ten days endeavouring to raise L20,000 in specie, without being able to raise half the sum in all that time? (See Clarendon’s History, BK.  XII)