Jón á Bægisá - 01.11.2008, Page 132

Jonathan Swift — Jóhanna Gunnlaugsdóttir
of Papists, with whom we are yearly over-run, being the principal
breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies, and
who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the kingdom
to the Pretender, hoping to take their advantage by the absence of so
many good Protestants, who have chosen rather to leave their country,
than stay at home and pay tithes against their conscience to an epis-
copal curate.
22. Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their
own, which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay
their landlord’s rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and
money a thing unknown.
23. Thirdly, Whereas the maintainance of an hundred thousand children,
from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than ten
shillings a piece per annum, the nation’s stock will be thereby encreased
fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish, in-
troduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who
have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among our
selves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.
24. Fourthly, The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings ster-
ling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge
of maintaining them after the first year.
25. Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns, where
the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts
for dressing it to perfection; and consequently have their houses fre-
quented by all the fine gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon
their knowledge in good eating; and a skilful cook, who understands
how to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as expensive as they
please.
26. Sixthly, This would be a great inducement to marriage, which all wise
nations have either encouraged by rewards, or enforced by laws and
penalties. It would encrease the care and tenderness of mothers to-
wards their children, when they were sure of a settlement for life to
the poor babes, provided in some sort by the publick, to their annual
profit instead of expence. We should soon see an honest emulation
among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest
child to the market. Men would become as fond of their wives, during
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á .jfrtydiá — TÍMARIT UM ÞÝÐINGAR NR. 12 / 2008