UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
SCARBOROUGH COLLEGE
LIBRARY
Presented by
Prof. V.W. Bladen
A Reprint of Economic Tracts
Edited by
JACOB H. HOLLANDER, PH.D.
Professor of Political Economy
Johns Hopkins University
George Berkeley
on
Several Queries Proposed to the Public
1735-37
COPYRIGHTED 1910, BY
THE JOHNS HOPltlNS PRESS
~-
*! SCARBOROUGH
|| COLLEGE
LIBRARY
BALTIMORE, MD., XT. S. A.
INTRODUCTION
In the development of economic thought as in the history of
philosophy, Berkeley may be described as " the successor of Locke
and the predecessor of Hume." 1 The continuity is less apparent
with respect to specific doctrines than in the matter of that com
mon sense rationalism which distinguishes the best English
economic thought of the eighteenth century. Berkeley sought to
formulate no system in his economic very much less even than
in his philosophical writings: "What I have done," he wrote to
a friend, "was rather with a view of giving hints to thinking
men who have leisure and curiosity to go to the bottom of things
and pursue them in their own minds." 2 It was this quality in the
most important of Berkeley s economic writings which led Sir
James Mackintosh, in an oft-quoted passage, to declare : " Per
haps the Querist contains more hints, then original, still un
applied in legislation and political economy, than are to be
found in any equal space." 3
Professor Eraser s scholarly studies 4 have made accessible the
details of Berkeley s remarkable career. Born in 1685 in Ireland
of English extraction, he was educated at Trinity College, Dublin.
He remained at Trinity in various academic offices until he was
twenty-eight, before which time he had written his three im
portant philosophical works. He came to England in 1713, was
warmly received in literary and political circles and spent the
next seven years in travel on the continent and residence in
London. In 1721 he returned to Ireland, receiving preferment in
the church, and developing that curious religious-educational
enthusiasm which culminated in the project of a college, to be
located in the Bermudas, for the training of missionaries to
convert " the savage Americans." In vain pursuit of this fantasy
he spent three years, 1728-1831 in America, living in and near
1 Balfour, " Biographical Introduction " to " The Works of
George Berkeley," edited by George Sampson (London, 1897-8).
2 See "Preface" (ix) to the 1901 (Oxford) edition of Professor
Eraser s " The Works of George Berkeley."
3 Ibid., vol. iv, p. 420.
*"Life and Letters of George Berkeley" (Oxford, 1871), being
vol. 4 of " Works."
4 INTRODUCTION
Newport, Rhode Island, and finding some solace in domestic
calm and philosophical study for the bitterness of disappointment
as to his major aspiration. Two unhappy years in London fol
lowed, but in 1734 he was given the bishopric of Cloyne in the
south of Ireland, and there for the next eighteen years he flour
ished as theologian, metaphysician, social philosopher and idealist.
In 1752 he left Ireland to spend his closing days, in accordance
with a long cherished dream, in Oxford; but only a few months
remained, for the end came with unexpected suddenness early in
1753.
The " Querist " was probably written very soon after Berkeley
came to Ireland as Bishop of Cloyne, while his impressions of
social and economic conditions were still vivid and clear cut.
The peculiar stylistic device employed terse, trenchant interro
gations was not entirely new in economic writing. Petty had
used it, notably in " Quantulumcunque " in 1682, and Bellers
in " Essays about the Poor " in 1690. Berkeley himself had
appended some sixty-seven " Queries " to the " Analyst," published
in 1734, " to the end that you may more clearly comprehend the
force and design of the foregoing remarks, and pursue them still
farther in your own meditations." 5 It was doubtless the success
attending this polemic that led Berkeley again to make use of the
interrogative form the following year when, newcomer and keen
observer, he was fairly tingling with impressions as to the
causes of Ireland s distress and the possibilities of improvement. 8
The " Querist " originally appeared in 1735 as an anonymous
contribution. A continuation, designated as " Part II," was issued
in 1736, and a further installment, " Part III," in 1737. Berkeley
records that his old friend, Dr. Samuel Madden of Dublin
himself a considerable influence in the economic improvement
of Ireland "edited" the work; 7 but the extent of the service
is not determinable. The brochures although attracting very
considerable attention, seemed to have been issued in small edi
tions and soon became scarce. In 1746 Dean Gervais " could not
find one in the shops, for my Lord Lieutenant [Lord Chesterfield],
"Works" (ed. Fraser; 1871), vol. iii, p. 290.
The literary form of the " Querist " was frequently followed or
imitated in Irish and English economic writing of the eighteenth
century; see, for example, "Answers to the Queries in defense of
the Malt Distillery" (London, 1760), and "A Volunteer s Queries,
in Spring, 1780; humbly offered to the Consideration of all De
scriptions of Men in Ireland" (Dublin), 1780).
7 "Works" (ed. Fraser; 1871), vol. iv, p. 247.
INTRODUCTION 5
at his desire," and the want could only be supplied by Berkeley s
direct intervention. 8
It is possible that this circumstance encouraged Berkeley to
print a second edition of the " Querist " in 1750, distinguished
rather inadequately as with " some few queries added, and many
omitted," and with his name on the title page. A recrudescence
of interest followed, Foulis in 1751 adding it to the economic
reprints Law, Child, Gee which had been issued by his Glasgow
press, and Berkeley in 1752 including it in the " Miscellany " of
his own writings. Various reprints of these 1750-52 editions have
since appeared.
The first edition of the " Querist the significance of which is
thus very much more than of bibliophilic interest has always
been one of the rarest economic tracts. Massie s " Catalogue " only
refers to " Part I," and in 1871, in editing Berkeley s " Works,"
Professor Fraser was unable to come upon a copy until the virtual
completion of his labor, when the discovery of a copy in the
library of the Royal Irish Academy permitted a variorum refer
ence thereto in the Appendix, made more ample in the second
and revised edition published in 1901. 9 An exact reprint of the
" Querist " as originally issued was included in Mr. George
Sampson s excellent three-volume edition of Berkeley s writings
published in 1897-8.
In the present reprint the title-pages of the original edition
have been reproduced in facsimile and the original pagination
indicated.
BALTIMORE, July, 1910.
8 Ibid., vol. iv, p. 307.
Other copies are of course extant, at least two such being in
the United States. One of these is in the " Wagner Collection " in
the library of Yale University, and this copy has been, with very
great courtesy, made available for the present reprint. Another
copy, very recently acquired, is in the private library of Professor
Seligman of Columbia University.
THE
QUERIST
CONTAINING
Several
Propofed to the
CONSIDERATION
O F T H E
PUBLIC.
DUBLIN:
Printed by R. RULLT, on Cork-Hill,
For G. RISK, G. EWINC, and W. SMITH, BookJellefS
in Damn-Street, M,DCC,X.JV.
THE
Q U E R I S T, &c.
Query 1.
WHETHER there ever was, is, or will be an industrious
Nation poor, or an idle, rich ?
2. Qu. Whether a People can be called poor, where the
common Sort are well fed, cloathed, and lodged?
3. Qu. Whether the Drift and Aim of every wise State
should not be, to encourage Industry in its Members? and
whether those, who employ neither Heads nor Hands for the
common Benefit, deserve not to be expelled like Drones out of
a well governed State?
4. Qu. Whether the four Elements, and Man s Labour
therein, be not the true Source of Wealth? || 4
5. Qu. Whether Money be not only so far useful, as it
stirreth up Industry, enabling Men mutually to participate
the Fruits of each others Labour?
6. Qu. Whether any other Means, equally conducing to
excite and circulate the Industry of Mankind, may not be as
useful as Money ?
7. Qu. Whether the real End and Aim of Men be not
Power ? And whether he who could have every Thing else at
his Wish or Will, would value Money ?
8. Qu. Whether the public Aim in every well govern d
State be not, that each Member, according to his just Pre
tensions and Industry, should have power ?
10 GEORGE BERKELEY
9. Qu. Whether Power be not referred to Action; and
whether Action doth not follow Appetite or Will ?
10. Qu. Whether Fashion doth not create Appetites, and
whether the prevailing Will of a Nation is not the Fashion ?
11. Qu. Whether the Current of Industry and Commerce
5 be not determin d by this prevailing Will. ||
12. Qu. Whether it be not owing to Custom that most
Fashions are agreeable?
13. Qu. Whether it may not concern the Wisdom of the
Legislature to interpose in the making of Fashions; and not
leave an Affair of so great influence, to the management of
Women and Fops and Taylors and Vintners ?
14. Qu. Whether reasonable Fashions are a greater re
straint on Freedom than those which are unreasonable?
15. Qu. Whether a general good Taste in a People would
not greatly conduce to their thriving? And whether an un
educated Gentry be not the greatest of national Evils ?
16. Qu. Whether Customs and Fashions do not supply
the Place of Reason, in the Vulgar of all Ranks? Whether,
therefore, it doth not very much import that they should be
wisely framed ?
17. Qu. Whether the imitating those Neighbours in our
Fashions, to whom we bear no likeness in our Circumstances,
be not one cause of Distress to this Nation ?
18. Qu. Whether frugal Fashions in the upper Rank, and
5 comfortable living in the || lower, be not the Means to mul
tiply Inhabitants ?
19. Qu. Whether the bulk of our Irish Natives are not
kept from thriving, by that cynical Content in Dirt and Beg
gary, which they possess to a Degree beyond any other People
in Christendom?
THE QUERIST 11
20. Qu. Whether the creating of Wants be not the like
liest way to produce Industry in a People ? And whether if
our Peasants were accustomed to eat Beef and wear Shoes they
would not be more Industrious?
21. Qu. Whether other Things being given, as Climate,
Soil, &c. the Wealth be not proportioned to the Industry, and
this to the Circulation of Credit, be the Credit circulated or
transferred by what Marks or Tokens so ever?
22. Qu. Whether therefore less Money swiftly circulating
be not, in effect, equivalent to more Money slowly circulating ?
Or whether if the Circulation be reciprocally as the Quantity
of Coin, the Nation can be a Loser?
23. Qu. Whether Money is to be considered as having an
intrinsic Value, or as being a Commodity, a Standard, a Meas
ure, or a Pledge, as is variously suggested by Writers? || And 7
whether the true Idea of Money, as such, be not altogether
that of a Ticket or Counter?
24. Qu. Whether the Value or Price of Things, be not a
compounded Proportion, directly as the Demand, and recipro
cally as the Plenty ?
25. Qu. Whether the Terms Crown, Lime, Pound Ster
ling, &c. are not to be considered as Exponents or Denomina
tions of such Proportion? and whether Gold, Silver, and
Paper, are not Tickets or Counters for Beckoning, Eecording,
and Transferring thereof ?
26. Qu. Whether the Denominations being retained, al
though the Bullion were gone, Things might not nevertheless
be rated, bought and sold, Industry promoted, and a Circula
tion of Commerce maintained?
27. Qu. Whether an equal raising of all Sorts of Gold,
Silver, and Copper Coin can have any effect in bringing Money
12 GEORGE BERKELEY
into the Kingdom? And whether altering the Proportions
between the several Sorts can have any other effect, but multi
plying one Kind and lessening another, without any increase
of the Sum total? ||
28. Qu. Whether arbitrary changing the Denomination
of Coin, be not a public Cheat?
29. Qu. Whether nevertheless the Damage would be very
considerable, if by Degrees our Money were brought back to
the English Value, there to rest for ever ?
30. Qu. Whether the English Crown did not formerly
pass with us for six Shillings ? And what Inconvenience
ensued to the Public, upon its Eeduction to the present Value,
and whether what hath been may not be ?
31. Qu. What makes a wealthy People? And whether
Mines of Gold and Silver are capable of doing this ? Whether
Negroes amidst the Gold Sands of Afric are not poor and
destitute ?
32. Qu. Whether there be any Vertue in Gold or Silver,
other than as they set People at Work, or create Industry?
33. Qu. Whether it be not the Opinion or Will of the
People, exciting them to Industry, that truly enricheth a
Nation? And whether this doth not principally depend on
the Means for counting, transferring and preserving Power,
that is, property of all Kinds? ||
34. Qu. Whether if there was no Silver in the Kingdom,
our Trade might not nevertheless supply Bills of Exchange,
sufficient to answer the Demands of Absentees in England or
elsewhere ?
35. Qu. Whether current Bank Notes may not be deemed
Money? And whether they are not actually the greater part
of the Money of this Kingdom ?
THE QUERIST 13
36. Qu. Provided the Wheels move,, whether it is not the
same Thing, as to the effect of the Machine, be this done by
the Force of Wind or Water or Animals ?
37. Qu. Whether Power to command the Industry of
others be not real Wealth? And whether Money be not in
Truth, Tickets or Tokens for conveying and recording such
Power, and whether it be of great Consequence what Materials
the Tickets are made of?
38. Qu. Whether Trade, either foreign or domestick, be
in Truth any more than this Commerce of Industry?
39. Qu. Whether to promote, transfer, and secure this
Commerce, and this Property in human Labour, or, in other
Words, this Power, be not the sole Means of enriching a || 10
People, and how far this may be done independently of Gold
and Silver?
40. Qu. Whether it were not wrong to suppose Land it
self to be Wealth? And whether the Industry of the People
is not first to be considered, as that which constitutes Wealth,
which makes even Land and Silver to be Wealth, neither of
which would have any Value, but as Means and Motives to
Industry ?
41. Qu. Whether in the Wastes of America a Man might
not possess twenty Miles square of Land, and yet want his
Dinner or a Coat to his Back?
42. Qu. Whether a fertile Land, and the Industry of its
Inhabitants, would not prove inexhaustable Funds of real
Wealth, be the Counters for conveying and recording thereof
what you will, Paper, Gold, or Silver ?
43. Qu. Whether a single Hint be sufficient to overcome
a Prejudice? And whether even obvious Truths will not
sometimes bear repeating?
14 GEORGE BERKELEY
44. Qu. Whether if human Labour be the true source of
Wealth, it doth not follow that Idleness should of all things
11 be discourag d in a wise State? ||
45. Qu. Whether even Gold or Silver, if they should les
sen the Industry of its Inhabitants, would not be ruinous to
a Country ? And whether Spain be not an Instance of this ?
46. Qu. Whether the Opinion of Men, and their Industry
consequent thereupon, be not the true Wealth of Holland,
and not the Silver supposed to be deposited in the Bank at
Amsterdam ?
47. Qu. Whether there is in Truth any such Treasure
lying dead? And whether it be of great consequence to the
Public, that it should be real rather than notional?
48. Qu. Whether in order to understand the true Nature
of Wealth and Commerce, it would not be right to consider
a Ship s Crew cast upon a desert Island, and by Degrees form
ing themselves to Business and civil Life; while Industry
begot Credit, and Credit moved to Industry ?
49. Qu. Whether such Men would not all set themselves
to Work? Whether they would not subsist by the mutual
Participation of each others Industry? Whether when one
Man had in his Way procured more than he could consume,
he would not exchange his Superfluities to supply his Wants ?
12 Whether this must not produce Credit? Whether || to facili
tate these Conveyances, to record and circulate this Credit,
they would not soon agree on certain Tallies, Tokens, Tickets
or Counters?
50. Qu. Whether Reflection in the better Sort might not
soon remedy our Evils ? And whether our real Defect be not
a wrong Way of Thinking?
51. Qu. Whether it would not be an unhappy Turn in
our Gentlemen, if they should take more Thought to create
THE QUERIST 15
an Interest to themselves in this or that County or Borough,
than to promote the real Interest of their Country?
52. Qu. Whether it be not a Bull to call that making an
Interest, whereby a Man spendeth much and gaineth nothing ?
53. Qu. Whether if a Man builds a House he doth not
in the first Place provide a Plan which governs his Work ? and
shall the Public act without an End, a View, a Plan?
54. Qu. Whether by how much the less particular Folk
think for themselves, the Public be not so much the more
obliged to think for them?
55. Qu. Whether Cunning be not one thing and good
Sense another? And whether || a cunning Tradesman doth is
not stand in his own Light ?
56. Qu. Whether small Gains be not the way to great
Profit? And if our Tradesmen are Beggars, whether they
may not thank themselves for it?
57. Qu. Whether some way might not be found for mak
ing Criminals useful in Public Works, instead of sending
them either to America, or to the other World?
58. Qu. Whether we may not, as well as other Nations,
contrive Employment for them? And whether Servitude,
Chains and hard Labour, for a term of Years, would not be
a more discouraging, as well as a more adequate Punishment
for Felons, than even Death itself ?
59. Qu. Whether there are not such Things in Holland
as bettering Houses for bringing young Gentlemen to Order ?
And whether such an Institution might be useless among us ?
60. Qu. Whether it be true, that the Poor in Holland
have no Eesource but their own Labour, and yet there are no
Beggars in their Streets? || 14
1G GEORGE BERKELEY
61. Qu. Whether he whose Luxury consumeth foreign
Products, and whose Industry produceth nothing domestic to
Exchange for them, is not so far forth injurious to his
Country ?
62. Qu. Whether, consequently, the fine Gentlemen,
whose Employment is only to dress, drink, and play, be not
a public Nuisance?
63. Qu. Whether Necessity is not to be hearkened to
before Convenience, and Convenience before Luxury?
64. Qu. Whether to provide plentifully for the Poor, be
not feeding the Root, the Substance whereof will shoot up
wards into the Branches, and cause the Top to flourish?
65. Qu. Whether there be any Instance of a State wherein
the People, living neatly and plentifully, did not aspire to
Wealth ?
66. Qu. Whether Nastiness and Beggary do not, on the
contrary, extinguish all such Ambition, making Men listless,
helpless, and slothful?
67. Qu. Whether a Country inhabited by People well
fed, cloathed, and lodged, would not become every Day more
15 populous? And || whether a numerous Stock of People in
such Circumstances would not constitute a flourishing Nation;
and how far the Product of our own Country may suffice for
the compassing of this End?
68. Qu. Whether a People, who had provided themselves
with the Necessaries of Life in good Plenty, would not soon
extend their Industry to new Arts and new Branches of
Commerce ?
69. Qu. Whether those same Manufactures which Eng
land imports from other Countries may not be admitted from
Ireland? And if so whether Lace, Carpets, and Tapestry,
three considerable Articles of English Importation, might not
THE QUERIST 17
find Encouragment in Ireland? And whether an Academy
for Design might not greatly conduce to the perfecting those
Manufactures among us?
70. Qu. Whether France and Flanders could have drawn
so much Money from England, for figured Silks, Lace, and
Tapestry, if they had not had Academies for Designing?
71. Qu. Whether when a Eoom was once prepared, and
Models in Plaister of Paris, the Annual Expence of such an
Academy need stand the Public in above two hundred Pounds
a Year? || 16
72. Qu. Whether our Linen Manufacture would not find
the Benefit of this Institution? And whether there be any
Thing that makes us fall short of the Dutch, in Damasks,
Diapers, and printed Linen but our Ignorance in Design ?
73. Qu. Whether those Specimens of our own Manufac
ture, hung up in a certain public Place, do not sufficiently
declare such our Ignorance ? And whether for the Honour of
the Nation they ought not to be removed?
74. Qu. Whether those, who may slight this Affair as
notional, have sufficiently considered the extensive use of the
Art of Design, and its Influence in most Trades and Manu
factures wherein the Forms of Things are often more regarded
than the Materials?
75. Qu. Whether there be any Art sooner learned than
that of making Carpets ? And whether our Women with little
Time and Pains may not make more beautiful Carpets than
those imported from Turky? And whether this Branch of
the Woollen Manufacture be not open to us? See Qu. 69.
76. Qu. Whether human Industry can produce, from
such cheap Materials, a Manufacture of so great Value, by
any other Art than by those of Sculpture and Painting? || 17
2
18 GEORGE BERKELEY
77. Qu. Whether Pictures and Statues are not in Fact
so mucli Treasure ? And whether Rome and Florence would
not be poor Towns without them?
78. Qu. Whether they do not bring ready Money as well
as Jewels ? Whether in Italy Debts are not paid and Children
portioned with them, as with Gold and Silver?
79. Qu. Whether it would not be more prudent, to strike
out and exert ourselves in permitted Branches of Trade, than
to fold our Hands and repine, that we are not allowed the
Woollen ?
80. Qu. Whether it be true, that two Millions are yearly
expended by England in foreign Lace and Linnen?
81. Qu. Whether immense Sums are not drawn yearly
into the northern Countries., for supplying the British Navy
with Hempen Manufactures?
82. Qu. Whether there be any Thing more profitable than
Hemp ? And whether there should not be great Premiums
for encouraging our Hempen Trade; what Advantages may
not Great Britain make of a Country where Land and Labour
18 are so cheap? ||
83. Qu. Whether Ireland alone might not raise Hemp
sufficient for the British Navy? And whether it would not
be vain to expect this from the British Colonies in America,
where Hands are so scarce and Labour so excessively dear?
84. Qu. Whether if our own People want Will or Capa
city for such an Attempt, it might not be worth while for some
undertaking Spirits in England to make Settlements, and
raise Hemp in the Counties of Clare and Limeric, than which
perhaps there is not fitter Land in the World for that Pur
pose ? And whether both Nations would not find their Advan
tage therein?
THE QUERIST 19
85. Qu. Whether if all the idle Hands in this Kingdom
were employed on Hemp and Linen, we might not find suffi
cient vent for these Manufactures?
86. Qu. How far it may be in our own Power to better
our Affairs, without interfering with our Neighbours ?
87. Qu. Whether the Prohibition of our Woollen Trade
ought not naturally to put us on other Methods, which give
no Jealousy ?
88. Qu. Whether Paper be not a valuable Article of Com
merce? And whether it be not || true that one single Book- 19
seller in London, yearly expends above four thousand Pounds,
in that foreign Commodity?
89. Qu. How it comes to pass that the Venetians and
Genoese, who wear so much less Linen, and so much worse
than we do, should yet make very good Paper, and in great
quantity, while we make very little and very bad ?
90. Q. How long it will be before my Countrymen find
out, that it is worth while to spend a penny in order to get a
groat?
91. Qu. If all the Land were tilled that is fit for Tillage,
and all that sowed with Hemp, and Flax, that is fit for rais
ing them, whether we should have much Sheep-Walk beyond
what was sufficient to supply the Necessities of the Kingdom ?
92. Qu. Whether other Countries have not flourished
without the Woollen Trade ?
93. Qu. Whether it be not a sure Sign or Effect of a
Countries thriving, to see it well cultivated, and full of In
habitants? And, if so, whether a great Quantity of Sheep-
Walk, be not ruinous to a Country, rendering it Waste and
thinly Inhabited? || 20
94. Qu. Whether the Employing so much of our Land
under Sheep, be not in fact an Irish Bull ?
20 GEORGE BERKELEY
95. Qu. Whether our hankering after the Woollen Trade,
be not the true and only Reason, which hath created a Jealousy
in England, towards Ireland ? And w r hether any Thing can
hurt us more than such a Jealousy?
96. Qu. Whether it be not the true Interest of both Na
tions., to become one People? And whether either be suffi
ciently apprized of this ?
97. Qu. Whether the upper Part of this People are not
truly English, by Blood, Language, Eeligion, Manners, Incli
nation, and Interest?
98. Qu. Whether we are not as much Englishmen, as the
Children of old Romans born in Britain, were still Romans?
99. Q. Whether it be not our true Interest, not to inter
fere with them; and, in every other Case, whether it be not
their true Interest to befriend us?
100. Qu. Whether a Mint in Ireland, might not be of
great Convenience to the Kingdom, and whether it could be
attended with any possible Inconvenience to great Britain?
21 And || whether there were not Mints in Naples and in Sicily,
when those Kingdoms were Provinces to Spain or the House
of Austria ?
101. Qu. Whether any Thing can be more ridiculous,
than for the North of Ireland to be Jealous of a Linen Manu
facture in the South?
102. Qu. Whether the County of Tiperary be not much
better Land than the County of Armagh ; and yet whether the
latter is not much better improved and inhabited than the
former ?
103. Qu. Whether every Landlord in the Kingdom doth
not know the Cause of this ? And yet how few are the better
for such their Knowledge?
THE QUERIST 21
104. Qu. Whether large Farms under few Hands, or
small ones under many, are likely to be made most of ? And
whether Flax and Tillage do not naturally multiply Hands,
and divide Land into small Holdings and well improved?
105. Qu. Whether, as our Exports are lessened, we ought
not to lessen our Imports? And whether these will not be
lessened as our Demands, and these as our Wants, and these
as our Customs or Fashions? Of how || great Consequence 22
therefore are Fashions to the Public? See Qu. 10, 11, 16.
106. Qu. Whether it would not be more reasonable to
mend our State than to complain of it; and how far this may
be in our own Power?
107. Qu. What the Nation gains by those who live in
Ireland upon the Produce of foreign Countries?
108. Qu. How far the Vanity of our Ladies in dressing,
and of our Gentlemen in drinking, contributes to the general
Misery of the People?
109. Qu. Whether Nations as wise and opulent as ours,
have not made sumptuary Laws; and what hinders us from
doing the same ?
110. Qu. Whether those, who drink foreign Liquors and
deck Themselves and their Families with foreign Ornaments,
are not so far forth to be reckoned Absentees ?
111. Qu. Whether as our Trade is limited, we ought not
to limit our Expences; and whether this be not the natural
and obvious Remedy? || 23
112. Qu. Whether the Dirt, and Famine, and Naked
ness of the Bulk of our People, might not be remedied even
although we had no foreign Trade ? And whether this should
not be our first Care, and whether, if this were once provided
for, the Conveniencies of the Rich would not soon follow ?
22 GEORGE BERKELEY
113. Qu. Whether comfortable living doth not produce
Wants, and Wants Industry, and Industry Wealth ? See Qu.
20, 65.
114. Qu. Whether there is not a great difference between
Holland and Ireland ? And whether foreign Commerce with
out which the one could not subsist, be so necessary for the
other?
115. Qu. Might we not put a Hand to the Plough or the
Spade, though we had no foreign Commerce ?
116. Qu. Whether the Exigencies of Nature are not to
be answered by Industry on our own Soil ? And how far the
Conveniencies and Comforts of Life may be procured, by a
domestic Commerce between the several Parts of this King
dom?
117. Qu. Whether the Women may not sew, spin, weave,
embroider, sufficiently for the embelishment of their Persons,
24 and even || enough to raise Envy in each other, without being
beholden to foreign Countries?
118. Qu. Suppose the Bulk of our Inhabitants had Shoes
to their Feet, Cloaths to their Backs, and Beef in their Bel
lies ? Might not such a State be eligible for the Public, even
though the Squires were condemned to drink Ale and Cyder ?
119. Qu. Whether if Drunkenness be a necessary Evil,
Men may not as well get Drunk with the growth of their own
Country ?
120. Qu. Whether a Nation within itself might not have
real Wealth, sufficient to give its Inhabitants Power and Dis
tinction, without the help of Gold and Silver?
121. Qu. Whether, if the Arts of Sculpture and Paint
ing were encouraged among us, we might not furnish our
Houses in a much nobler Manner with our own Manufacture ?
See Qu. 76.
THE QUERIST 23
122. Qu. Whether we have not, or may not have all the
necessary Materials for Building at Home?
123. Qu. Whether Tiles and Plaister may not supply the
Place of Norway Fir, for flooring and Wainscot? || 25
124. Qu. Whether Plaister be not warmer, as well as
more secure, than Deal? And whether a modern fashionable
House lined with Fir daubed over with Oyl and Paint, be not
like a Fire-ship ready to be lighted up by all Accidents?
125. Qu. Whether larger Houses, better built and Fur
nished, a greater Train of Servants, the difference with regard
to Equipage and Table, between finer and coarser, more and
less Elegant and Impolite, may not be sufficient to feed a
reasonable Share of Vanity, or support all proper Distinc
tions? And whether all these may not be procured, by do
mestic Industry out of the four Elements, without ransacking
the four Quarters of the Globe?
126. Qu. Whether any Thing is a nobler Ornament, in
the Eye of the World, than an Italian Palace, that is, Stone
and Mortar skilfully put together/ and adorned with Sculp
ture and Painting, and whether this may not be compassed
without foreign Trade?
127. Qu. Whether an Expence in Gardens and Planta
tions would not be an elegant Distinction for the Rich, a
domestic Magnificence, employing many Hands within, and
drawing nothing from abroad? || 26
128. Qu. Whether the Apology which is made for for
eign Luxury in England, to wit, that they could not carry on
their Trade without Imports as well as Exports, will hold in
Ireland?
129. Qu. Whether one may not be allowed to conceive
and suppose a Society, or Nation of Human Creatures, clad
in Woollen Cloaths and Stuffs, eating good Bread, Beef, and
Mutton, Poultry and Fish in great Plenty, drinking Ale,
24 GEORGE BERKELEY
Mead, and Cyder, inhabiting decent Houses built of Brick and
Marble, taking their Pleasure in fair Parks and Gardens,
depending on no foreign Imports either for Food or Raiment ;
and whether such People ought much to be pitied ?
130. Qu. Whether Ireland be not as well qualified for
such a State, as any Nation under the Sun?
131. Qu. Whether in such a State the Inhabitants may
not contrive to pass the twenty four Hours, with tolerable
Ease and Chearf ulness ? And whether any People upon Earth
can do more ?
132. Qu. Whether they might not eat, drink, play, dress,
visit, sleep in good Beds, sit by good Fires, build, plant, raise
27 a Name, make Estates and spend them? ||
133. Qu. Whether upon the whole, a domestic Trade may
not suffice in such a Country as Ireland, to nourish and cloath
its Inhabitants, and provide them with the reasonable Con-
veniencies and even Comforts of Life?
134. Qu. Whether a general Habit of living well would
not produce Numbers and Industry ; and whether, considering
the Tendency of human Kind, the Consequence thereof would
not be foreign Trade and Riches, how unnecessary soever?
See Qu. 68.
135. Qu. Whether nevertheless, it be a Crime to enquire
how far we may do without foreign Trade, and what would
follow on such a Supposition?
136. Qu. Whether the Number and Welfare of the Sub
jects be not the true Strength of the Crown?
137. Qu. Whether in all public Institutions there should
not be an End proposed, which is to be the Eule and Limit
of the Means? Whether this End should not be the Well-
being of the Whole? And whether in order to this, the first
Step should not be to cloath and feed our People ?
THE QUERIST 25
138. Qu. Whether there be upon Earth any Christian
or civilized People so beggarly, || wretched, and destitute, as 28
the common Irish?
139. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, there is any other People
whose Wants may be more easily supplyed from Home ?
140. Qu. Whether, if there was a Wall of Brass a thou
sand Cubits high, round this Kingdom, our Natives might not
nevertheless live cleanly and comfortably, till the Land, and
reap the Fruits of it?
141. Qu. What should hinder us from exerting ourselves,
using our Hands and Brains, doing something or other, Man,
Woman, and Child, like the other Inhabitants of God s Earth ?
142. Qu. Be the restraining our Trade well or ill advised
in our Neighbours, with respect to their own Interest, yet
whether it be not plainly ours to accomodate ourselves to it?
143. Qu. Whether it be not vain to think of persuading
other People to see their Interest, while we continue blind to
our own?
144. Qu. Whether there be any other Nation possessed
of so much Land, and so || many able Hands to Work it, which 29
yet is beholden for Bread to foreign Countries?
145. Qu. Whether it be true, that we import Corn to the
yearly value of two hundred thousand Pounds ?
146. Qu. Whether we are not undone by Fashions made
for other People? And whether it be not Madness in a poor
Nation to imitate a rich one?
147. Qu. Whether a Woman of Fashion ought not to
be declared a public Enemy?
148. Qu. Whether it be not certain that from the single
Town of Cork were exported, last Year, no less than one
hundred and seven thousand one hundred sixty one Barrels
26 GEORGE BERKELEY
of Beef, seven thousand three hundred and seventy nine Bar
rels of Pork, thirteen thousand four hundred and sixty one
Casks and eighty five thousand seven hundred and twenty
seven Firkins of Butter? And what Hands were employed
in this Manufacture?
149. Qu. Whether a Foreigner could imagine,, that one
half of the People were starving, in a Country which sent out
such Plenty of Provisions?
30 150. Qu. Whether an Irish Lady, set out || with French
Silks, and Flanders Lace, may not be said to consume more
Beef and Butter than fifty of our labouring Peasants?
151. Qu. Whether nine Tenths of our foreign Trade be
not singly to support the Article of Vanity?
152. Qu. Whether it can be hoped private Persons will
not indulge this Folly, unless restrained by the Public?
153. Qu. How Vanity is maintained in other Countries,
whether in Hungary, for Instance, a proud Nobility are not
subsisted with small Imports from abroad?
154. Qu. Whether there be a prouder People upon Earth
than the noble Venetians, though they all wear plain black
Cloaths ?
155. Qu. Whether a People are to be pitied, that will not
sacrifice their little particular Vanities to the public Good?
And yet whether each Part would not except their own Foible
from this public Sacrifice, the Squire his Bottle, the Lady her
Lace?
156. Qu. Whether Claret be not often drunk rather for
31 Vanity than for Health or Pleasure? ||
157. Qu. Whether it be true, that Men of nice Palates
have been imposed on, by Elder Wine for French Claret, and
by Mead for Palm Sack?
THE QUERIST 27
158. Qu. Do not Englishmen abroad purchase Beer and
Cyder at ten Times the price of Wine?
159. Qu. How many Gentlemen are there in England of
a thousand Pounds per Annum, who never drink Wine in
their own Houses? Whether the same may be said of any in
Ireland who have even one hundred Pounds per Annum ?
160. Qu. What reason have our Neighbours in England
for discouraging French Wines, which may not hold with
Respect to us also ?
161. Qu. How much of the necessary Sustenance of our
People is yearly exported for Brandy ?
162. Qu. Whether, if People must poison themselves,
they had not better do it with their own Growth?
163. Qu. If we imported neither Claret from France nor
Fir from Norway, what the Nation would save by it? || 32
164. Qu. When the Root yieldeth insufficient Nourish
ment,, whether Men do not Top the Tree to make the lower
Branches thrive ?
165. Qu. Whether, if our Ladies drank Sage or Balm
Tea out of Irish Ware, it would be an insupportable national
Calamity?
166. Qu. Whether it be really true that such Wine is best
as most encourages drinking, i. e. that must be given in the
largest Dose to produce its effect? And whether this holds
with regard to any Medicine?
167. Qu. Whether that Trade should not be accounted
most pernicious, wherein the Balance is most against us?
And whether this be not the Trade with France?
168. Qu. Whether it be not even Madness, to encourage
Trade with a Nation that takes nothing of our Manufacture ?
28 GEORGE BERKELEY
169. Qu. Whether Ireland can hope to thrive, if the
major Part of her Patriots shall be found in the French In
terest? See Qu. 155.
170. Qu. Why, if a Bribe by the Palate or the Purse be
83 in effect the same Thing, they should not be alike infamous? ||
171. Qu. Whether the Vanity and Luxury of a few ought
to stand in Competition with the Interest of a Nation?
172. Qu. Whether national Wants ought not to be the
Eule of Trade? And whether the most pressing Wants of
the Majority ought not to be first considered?
173. Qu. Whether it is possible the Country should be
well improved, while our Beef is exported and our Labourers
live upon Potatoes? See Qu. 148.
174. Qu. If it be resolved that we cannot do without
foreign Trade, whether, at least, it may not be worth while
to consider what Branches thereof deserve to be entertained,
and how far we may be able to carry it on under our present
Limitations?
175. Qu. What foreign Imports may be necessary, for
clothing and feeding the Families of Persons not worth above
one hundred Pounds a Year ? And how many wealthier there
are in the Kingdom, and what Proportion they bear to the
other Inhabitants?
176. Qu. Whether Trade be not then on a right Foot,
when foreign Commodities are imported in Exchange only
34 for domestic Superfluities? ||
177. Qu. Whether the Quantities of Beef, Butter, Wool,
and Leather exported from this Island can be reckoned the
Superfluities of a Country, where there are so many Natives
naked and famished?
THE QUERIST 29
178. Qu. Whether it would not be wise so to order our
Trade, as to export Manufactures rather than Provisions, and
of those such as employ most Hands ?
179. Qu. Whether she would not be a very vile Matron,
and justly thought either mad or foolish, that should give
away the Necessaries of Life, from her naked and famished
Children, in Exchange for Pearls to stick in her Hair, and
sweet Meats to please her own Palate ?
180. Qu. Whether a Nation might not be considered as
a Family?
181. Qu. Whether other Methods may not be found for
supplying the Funds besides the Custom on Things imported ?
182. Qu. Whether any Art or Manufacture be so diffi
cult as the making of good Laws ?
183. Qu. Whether our Peers and Gentlemen are born
Legislators? Or whether that Faculty be acquired by Study
and Eeflection? || 35
184. Qu. Whether to comprehend the real Interest of a
People, and the means to procure it, doth not imply some
Fund of Knowledge historical, moral, and political, with a
Faculty of Eeason improved by Learning?
185. Qu. Whether every Enemy to Learning be not a
Goth? And whether every such Goth among us be not an
Enemy to the Country?
186. Qu. Whether therefore it would not be an Omen of
ill presage, a dreadful Phoenomenon in the Land, if our great
Men should take it in their Heads to deride Learning and
Education?
187. Qu. Whether on the contrary, it should not seem
worth while to erect a Mart of Literature in this Kingdom,
30 GEORGE BERKELEY
under wiser Regulations and better Discipline than in any
other Part of Europe? And whether this would not be an
infallible Means of drawing Men and Money into the King
dom ?
188. Qu. Whether the governed be not too numerous for
the governing Part of our College? And whether it might
not be expedient to convert thirty Natives Places into twenty
36 Fellowships? ||
189. Qu. Whether if we had two Colleges, there might
not spring an useful Emulation, between them ? And whether
it might not be contrived, so to divide the Fellows Scholars
and Revenues between both, as that no Member should be a
Loser thereby ?
190. Qu. Whether ten thousand pounds well laid out
might not build a decent College, fit to contain two hundred
Persons; and whether the purchase-Money of the Chambers
would not go a good way towards defraying the Expence ?
191. Qu. Where this College should be situated?
192. Qu. Whether it is possible a State should not thrive,
whereof the lower Part were industrious and the upper wise ?
193. Qu. Whether the collected Wisdom of Ages and
Nations be not found in Books, improved and applied by
Study?
194. Qu. Whether it was not an Irish Professor who
first opened the public Schools at Oxford? Whether this
Island hath not been antiently famous for Learning? and
whether at his Day it hath any better Chance for being
37 considerable? ||
195. Qu. Whether we may not with better Grace sit
down and complain, when we have done all that lies in our
Power to help ourselves ?
THE QUERIST 31
196. Qu. Whether the Gentleman of Estate hath a right
to be idle ; and whether he ought not to be the great Promoter
and Director of Industry, among his Tenants and Neigh
bours ?
197. Qu. Whether the real Foundation for Wealth must
not be laid in the Numbers, the Frugality, and the Industry
of the People ? And whether all Attempts to enrich a Nation
by other Means, as raising the Coin, Stock-jobbing, and such
Arts, are not vain?
198. Qu. Whether a Door ought not to be shut against
all other Methods of growing rich, save only by Industry and
Merit; and whether Wealth got otherwise would not be ruin
ous to the Public?
199. Qu. Whether the abuse of Banks and Paper-Money
is a just Objection against the use thereof? And whether
such abuse might not easily be prevented ?
200. Qu. Whether national Banks are not found useful
in Venice, Holland, and Hambourgh ? And whether it is not
possible to || contrive one that may be useful also in Ireland? 38
201. Qu. Whether any Nation ever was in greater want
of such an Expedient than Ireland?
202. Qu. W T hether the Banks of Venice and Amsterdam,
are not in the Hands of the Public ?
203. Qu. Whether it may not be worth while to inform
ourselves in the Nature of those Banks? And what Reason
can be assigned, why Ireland should not reap the Benefit of
such public Banks, as well as other Countries ?
204. Qu. Whether a Bank of national Credit, supported
by public Funds, and secured by Parliament, be a Chimera
or impossible Thing; and if not, what would follow from the
Supposal of such Bank?
32 GEORGE BERKELEY
205. Qu. Whether the Currency of a Credit so well se
cured would not be of great Advantage to our Trade and
Manufactures ?
206. Qu. Whether the Notes of such public Bank would
39 not have a more general Circulation than those of private
Banks, as being less subject to Frauds 1 and Hazards? ||
207. Qu. Whether it be not agreed that Paper hath, in
many respects, the Advantage above Coin, as being of more
Dispatch in Payments, more easily transferred, preserved, and
recovered when lost ?
208. Qu. Whether, beside these Advantages, there be
not an evident Necessity for circulating Credit by Paper, from
the Defect of Coin in this Kingdom?
209. Qu. Whether the Public may not as well save the
Interest which it now pays ?
210. Qu. What would happen if two of our Banks should
break at once ? And whether it be wise to neglect providing
against an Event which Experience hath shewn us not to be
impossible ?
211. Qu. Whether such an Accident would not particu
larly affect the Bankers? And therefore whether a national
Bank would not be a Security even to private Bankers?
212. Qu. Whether we may not easily avoid the Inconven-
iencies attending the Paper-Money of New England, which
were incurred by their issuing too great a Quantity of Notes,
by their having no Silver in Bank to exchange for Notes, by
their not insisting upon Eepayment of the Loans at the
40 Time || prefixed, and especially by their Want of Manufac
tures to answer their Imports from Europe?
213. Qu. Whether a Combination of Bankers might not
do Wonders, and whether Bankers know their own Strength ?
THE QUERIST 33
214. Qu. Whether a Bank in private Hands might not
even overturn a Government? And whether this was not the
Case of the Bank of St. George in Genoa? *
215. Qu. Whether we may not easily prevent the ill
Effects of such a Bank, as Mr. Law proposed for Scotland,
which was faulty in not limiting the Quantum of Bills, and
permitting all Persons to take out what Bills they pleased,
upon the Mortgage of Lands, whence, by a Glut of Paper, the
Prices of Things must rise: Whence also the Fortunes of
Men must encrease in Denomination, though not in Value;
whence Pride, Idleness, and Beggary?
216. Qu. Whether such Banks, as those of England and
Scotland, might not be attended with great Inconveniences,
as lodging too much Power in the Hands of private Men, || 41
and giving handle for Monopolies, Stock- jobbing, and de
structive Schemes?
217. Qu. Whether the national Bank, projected by an
Anonymous Writer in the latter End of Queen Anne s Reign,
might not on the other Hand be attended with as great In
conveniences, by lodging too much Power in the Government ?
218. Qu. Whether the Bank projected by Murray,
though it partake, in many useful Particulars, with that of
Amsterdam, yet, as it placeth too great Power in the Hands
of a private Society, might not be dangerous to the Public?
219. Qu. Whether it be rightly remarked by some, that,
as Banking brings no Treasure into the Kingdom like Trade,
private Wealth must sink as the Bank riseth? And whether
whatever causeth Industry to flourish and circulate, may not
be said to increase our Treasure?
220. Qu. Whether the ruinous Effects of Mississippi,
South-Sea, and such Schemes, were not owing to an abuse of
*See the Vindication and Advancement of our national Consti
tution and Credit. Printed in London 1710.
3
34 GEORGE BERKELEY
Paper Money or Credit, in making it a Means for Idleness
42 and Gaming, instead of a Motive and Help to Industry? ||
221. Qu. Whether those Effects could have happened,
had there been no Stock- jobbing? And whether Stock-job
bing could at first have been set on Foot, without an imaginary
Foundation of some Improvement to the Stock by Trade?
Whether, therefore, when there are no such Projects, or
Cheats, or private Schemes proposed, the same Effects can be
justly feared?
222. Qu. Whether by a national Bank, be not properly
understood a Bank, not only established by public Authority
as the Bank of England, but a Bank in the Hands of the
Public, wherein there are no Shares : Whereof the Public
alone is Proprietor, and reaps all the Benefit ?
223. Qu. Whether having considered the Conveniencics
of Banking and Paper-Credit in some Countries, and the In-
conveniencies thereof in others, we may not contrive to adopt
the former, and avoid the latter ?
224. Qu. Whether great Evils, to which other Schemes
are liable, may not be prevented, by excluding the Managers
of the Bank from a share in the Legislature ?
225. Qu. Whether the rise of the Bank of Amsterdam
was not purely casual, for the Security and Dispatch of Pay-
43ments? And whe||ther the good Effects thereof, in supply
ing the Place of Coin, and promoting a ready Circulation of
Industry and Commerce, may not be a Lesson to us, to do
that by Design, which others fell upon by chance ?
226. Qu. Whether the Bank proposed to be established
in Ireland, under the Notion of a national Bank, by the volun
tary Subscription of three hundred thousand Pounds, to pay
off the national Debt, the Interest of which Sum to be paid
the Subscribers, subject to certain Terms of Eedemption,
be not in reality a private Bank, as those of England and
THE QUERIST 35
Scotland, which are national only in Name, being in the
Hands of particular Persons, and making Dividends on the
Money paid in by Subscribers ? *
227. Qu. Whether Plenty of small Cash be not abso
lutely necessary, for keeping up a Circulation among the
People, that is, whether Copper be not more necessary than
Gold?
228. Qu. Whether it is not worth while to reflect, on the
Expedients made use of by other Nations, Paper-Money,
Bank-Notes, public Funds, and Credit in all its Shapes, to
examine what hath been done and devised, || to add our own 44
Animadversions, and upon the whole offer such Hints, as
seem not unworthy the Attention of the Public?
229. Qu. Whether that, which increaseth the Stock of a
Nation, be not a Means of increasing its Trade ? And whether
that, which increaseth the current Credit of a Nation, may
not be said to increase its Stock?
230. Qu. Whether it may not be expedient to appoint
certain Funds or Stock for a national Bank, under direction
of certain Persons, one third whereof to be named by the
Government, and one third by each House of Parliament?
231. Qu. Whether the Directors should not be excluded
from sitting in either House; and whether they should not
be subject to the Audit and Visitation of a standing Com
mittee of both Houses?
232. Qu. Whether such Committee of Inspectors should
not be changed every two Years, one half going out, and an
other coming in, by Ballot?
233. Qu. Whether the Notes ought not to be issued in
Lots, to be lent at Interest on mortgaged Lands, the whole
* See a Proposal for the Relief of Ireland, &c. Printed in Dub
lin A. D. 1734.
36 GEORGE BERKELEY
45 Number of Lots || to be divided among the four Provinces,
rateably to the Number of Hearths in each?
234. Qu. Whether it may not be expedient to appoint
four counting Houses, one in each Province, for converting
Notes into Specie?
235. Qu. Whether a Limit should not be fixed, which no
Person might exceed, in taking out Notes?
236. Qu. Whether, the better to answer domestic Circula
tion, it may not be right to issue Notes as low as twenty
Shillings ?
237. Qu. Whether all the Bills should be issued at once,
or rather by Degrees, that so Men may be gradually accus
tomed and reconciled to the Bank?
238. Qu. Whether the keeping of the Cash, and the di
rection of the Bank, ought not to be in different Hands, and
both under Public Controle ?
239. Qu. Whether the same Rule should not alway be
observed, of lending out Money or Notes, only to half the
Value of the Mortgaged Land? And whether this Value
should not alway be rated, at the same Number of Years
46 Purchase as at first? ||
240. Qu. Whether Care should not be taken to prevent
an undue Rise of the Value of Land ?
241. Qu. Whether the increase of Industry and People
will not of Course raise the Value of Land? And whether
this Rise may not be sufficient?
242. Qu. Whether Land may not be apt to rise, on the
issuing too great Plenty of Notes ?
243. Qu. Whether this may not be prevented by the
gradual and slow issuing of Notes, and by frequent Sales of
Lands ?
THE QUERIST 37
244. Qu. Whether Interest doth not measure the true
Value of Land; for Instance, where Money is at five per
Cent, whether Land is not worth twenty Years Purchase?
245. Qu. Whether two small a Proportion of Money
would not hurt the landed Man, and too great a Proportion
the monied Man ? And whether the Quantum of Notes ought
not to bear Proportion to the public Demand ? And whether
Trial must not shew what this Demand will be?
246. Qu. Whether the exceeding this Measure might not
produce divers bad Effects, one whereof would be the Loss of
our Silver? || 47
247. Qu. Whether Interest paid into the Bank, ought
not to go on augmenting its Stock ?
248. Qu. Whether it would or would not be right, to
appoint that the said Interest be paid in Notes only ? *
249. Qu. Whether the Notes of this national Bank should
not be received in all Payments into the Exchequer?
250. Qu. Whether on Supposition that the Specie should
fail, the Credit would not nevertheless still pass, being admit
ted in all Payments of the public Eevenue?
251. Qu. Whether the Public can become Bankrupt, so
long as the Notes are issued on good Security ?
252. Qu. Whether Mismanagement, prodigal Living,
Hazards by Trade, which often affect private Banks, are
equally to be apprehended in a Public one?
253. Qu. Whether as Credit became Current, and this
raised the Value of Land, the Security must not of Course
rise? See Qu, 233. || 48
254. Qu. Whether as our current domestic Credit grew,
Industry would not grow likewise, and if Industry, our Manu
factures, and if these, our foreign Credit ?
* See Mr. John Laws on Money and Trade.
38 GEORGE BERKELEY
255. Qu. Whether by Degrees, as Business and People
multiplied, more Bills may not be issued, without augmenting
the Capital Stock, provided still, that they are issued on
good Security; which further issuing of new Bills, not to be
without Consent of Parliament?
256. Qu. Whether such Bank would not be Secure?
Whether the Profits accruing to the Public would not be very
considerable? And whether Industry in private Persons
would not be supplied, and a general Circulation encouraged ?
257. Qu. Whether such Bank should, or should not, be
allowed to issue Notes for Money deposited therein ? And, if
not, whether the Bankers would have Cause to complain?
258. Qu. Whether if the Public thrives, all particular
Persons must not feel the Benefit thereof, even the Bankers
themselves ?
259. Qu. Whether beside the Bank-Company, there are
not in England many private wealthy Bankers, and whether
49 they were more before the erecting of that Company? ||
260. Qu. Whether as Industry increased our Manufac
tures would not flourish; and as these flourished, whether
better Returns would not be made from Estates to their Land
lords, both within and without the Kingdom?
261. Qu. Whether we have not Paper-Money circulating
among us already ? Whether, therefore, we might not as well
have that which is secured by the Public, and whereof the
Public reaps the Benefit?
262. Qu. Whether there are not two general Ways of
circulating Money, to wit, Play and Traffic? And whether
Stock-jobbing is not to be ranked under the former?
263. Qu. Whether there are more than two Things, that
might draw Silver out of the Bank, when its Credit was once
THE QUERIST 39
well established, to wit, foreign Demands and small Payments
at Home ?
264. Qu. Whether if our Trade with France were
checked, the former of these Causes could be supposed to
Operate at all ? And whether the latter could operate to any
great Degree? See Qu. 34.
265. Qu. Whether the sure Way to supply People with
Tools and Materials, and to || set them at Work, be not a free so
Circulation of Money, whether Silver or Paper?
266. Qu. Whether in New England, all Trade and Busi
ness is not as much at a Stand, upon a Scarcity of Paper-
Money, as with us from the Want of Specie ?
267. Qu. Whether Paper-Money or Notes may not be
issued from the national Bank, on the security of Hemp, of
Linen, or other Manufactures whereby the Poor might be
supported in their Industry?
268. Qu. Whether it be certain, that the Quantity of
Silver in the Bank of Amsterdam be greater now than at first;
but whether it be not certain that there is a greater Circulation
of Industry and Extent of Trade, more People, Ships, Houses,
and Commodities of all Sorts, more Power by Sea and Land ?
269. Qu. Whether Money, lying Dead in the Bank of
Amsterdam, would not be as useless as in the Mine?
270. Qu. Whether our visible Security in Land could
be doubted? And whether there be any Thing like this in
the Bank of Amsterdam?
271. Qu. Whether it be just to apprehend Danger from
trusting a national Bank, with Power to extend its Credit, to
circulate Notes, which it shall be Felony to counterfeit, to
re||ceive Goods on Loans, to purchase Lands, to sell also or 51
alienate them, and to deal in Bills of Exchange, when these
Powers are no other than have been trusted for many Years
40 GEORGE BERKELEY
with the Bank of England, although in Truth but a private
Bank? See Qu. 222.
272. Qu. Whether the Objection from Monopolies and
an over-growth of Power, which are made against private
Banks, can possibly hold against a national one?
273. Qu. Whether Banks raised by private Subscription,
would be as advantageous to the Public, as to the Subscribers ?
And whether Kisques and Frauds might not be more justly
apprehended from them?
274. Qu. Whether the evil Effects, which, of late Years,
have attended Paper-Money and Credit in Europe, did not
spring from Subscriptions, Shares, Dividends, Stock-jobbing?
275. Qu. Whether great Evils attending Paper-Money
in the British Plantations of America have not sprung from
the over-rating their Lands, and issuing Paper without Dis
cretion, and from the Legislators breaking their own Eules in
Favour of themselves, thus sacrificing the Public to their
private Benefit? And whether a little Sense and Honesty
might not easily prevent all such Inconveniencies ? See Qu.
52212. ||
276. Qu. Whether an Argument from the Abuse of
Things, against the use of them be Conclusive?
277. Qu. Whether he who is bred to a Part, be fittest to
judge of the Whole?
278. Qu. Whether Interest be not apt to bias Judgment?
And whether Traders only are to be consulted about Trade,
or Bankers about Money?
279. Qu. Whether the Subject of Freethinking in Ee-
ligion be not exhausted ? And whether it be not high Time
for our Freethinkers, to turn their Thoughts to the Improve
ment of their Country?
THE QUERIST 41
280. Qu. Whether any Man hath a Right to judge, that
will not be at the Pains to distinguish ?
281. Qu. Whether there be not a wide Difference, between
the Profits going to augment the national Stock, and being
divided among private Shares? And whether, in the former
Case, there can possibly be any Gaming or Stock-jobbing ?
282. Qu. Whether it must not be ruinous for a Nation
to sit down to game, be it with Silver or with Paper ?
283. Qu. Whether, therefore, the circulating Paper, in
the late ruinous Schemes of || France and England, was the 53
true Evil, and not rather the circulating thereof without In
dustry; And whether the Bank of Amsterdam, where In
dustry had been for so many Years subsisted, and circulated
by Transfers on Paper, doth not clearly decide this Point?
284. Qu. Whether there are not to be seen in America
fair Towns, wherein the People are well lodged, fed, and
cloathed, without a Beggar in their Streets, although there be
not one Grain of Gold or Silver current among them ?
285. Qu. Whether these People do not exercise all Arts
and Trades, build Ships, and navigate them to all Parts of the
World, purchase Lands, till and reap the Fruits of them, buy
and sell, educate and provide for their Children? Whether
they do not even indulge themselves in foreign Vanities?
286. Qu. Whether, whatever Inconveniencies those Peo
ple may have incurred, from not observing either Rules or
Bounds in their Paper-Money, yet it be not certain that they
are in a more flourishing Condition, have larger and better
built Towns, more Plenty, more Industry, more Arts and
Civility, and a more extensive Commerce, than when they had
Gold and Silver current among them?
287. Qu. Whether a View of the ruinous Effects of
absurd Schemes, and Credit misma||naged, so as to produce 54
42 GEORGE BERKELEY
Gaming and Madness instead of Industry, can be any just
Objection against a national Bank, calculated purely to pro
mote Industry?
288. Qu. Whether a Scheme for the Welfare of this
Nation should not take in the whole Inhabitants? And
whether it be not a vain Attempt, to project the flourishing
of our Protestant Gentry, exclusive of the Bulk of the Natives ?
289. Qu. W T hether, therefore, it doth not greatly concern
the State, that our Irish Natives should be converted, and the
whole Nation united in the same Eeligion, the same allegiance,
and the same Interest? And how this may most probably be
effected ?
290. Qu. Whether an Oath, testifying Allegiance to the
King and disclaiming the Pope s Authority in Temporals,
may not be justly required of the Eoman Catholicks? And
whether, in common Prudence or Policy, any Priest should be
tolerated who refuseth to take it?
291. Qu. Whether there have not been Popish Recusants ?
And, if so, whether it would be right to object against the
foregoing Oath, that all would take it, and none think them
selves bound by it?
55 292. Qu. Whether those of the Church of || Rome, in
converting the Moors of Spain or the Protestants of France,
have not set us an Example which might justify a similar
Treatment of themselves, if the Laws of Christianity allowed
thereof?
293. Qu. Whether compelling Men to a Profession of
Faith is not the worst Thing in Popery, and, consequently,
whether to copy after the Church of Rome therein, were not
to become Papists ourselves in the worst Sense?
294. Qu. Whether nevertheless we may not imitate the
Church of Rome, in certain Places, where Jews are tolerated,
THE QUERIST 43
by obliging our Irish Papists, at stated Times, to hear Pro
testant Sermons? And whether this would not make Mis
sionaries in the Irish Tongue useful?
295. Qu. Whether the mere Act of hearing, without mak
ing any Profession of Faith, or joining in any Part of Wor
ship, be a Eeligious Act? And, consequently, whether their
being obliged to hear, may not consist with the Toleration of
Roman Catholics?
296. Qu. Whether, if penal Laws should be thought Op
pressive, we may not at least be allowed to give Premiums?
And, whether it would be wrong, if the Public encouraged
Popish Families to become Hearers, by paying their Hearth-
Money for them? || 56
297. Qu. Whether in granting Toleration, we ought not
to distinguish between Doctrines purely Religious and such
as affect the State ?
298. Qu. Whether the Case be not very different, in
regard to a Man who only eats Fish on Fridays, says his
Prayers in Latin, or believes Transubstantiation, and one
who professeth in Temporals a Subjection to foreign Powers,
who holdeth himself absolved from all Obedience to his natural
Prince and the Laws of his Country? who is even persuaded,
it may be Meritorious to destroy the Powers that are?
299. Qu. Whether, therefore, a Distinction should not
be made between mere Papists and Recusants? And whether
the latter can expect the same Protection from the Govern
ment as the former?
300. Qu. Whether our Papists in this Kingdom can
complain, if they are allowed to be as much Papists, as the
Subjects of France or of the Empire ?
44 GEORGE BERKELEY
301. Qu. Whether there is any such Thing as a Body of
Inhabitants, in any Popish Country under the Sun, that pro
fess an absolute Submission to the Pope s Orders in Matters
of an indifferent Nature, or that in such Points do not think
57 it their Duty, to obey the civil Government? ||
302. Qu. Whether since the Peace of Utrecht, Mass was
not celebrated, and the Sacraments administered in divers
Dioceses of Sicily, notwithstanding the Pope s interdict?
303. Qu. Whether every Plea of Conscience is to be re
garded? Whether, for Instance, the German Anabaptists,
Levellers, or fifth Monarchy Men would be tolerated on that
Pretence ?
304. Qu. Whether Popish Children bred in Charity
Schools, when bound out in Apprentiship to Protestant
Masters, do generally continue Protestants?
305. Qu. Whether a Sum, which would go but a little
Way towards erecting Hospitals for maintaining and educat
ing the Children of the Native Irish, might not go far in
binding them out Apprentices to Protestant Masters, for Hus
bandry, useful Trades, and the service of Families ?
306. Qu. Whether if the Parents are overlooked, there
can be any great Hopes of Success in converting the Children ?
307. Qu. Whether there be any Instance, of a People s
being converted in a Christian Sense, otherwise than by
preaching to them and instructing them in their own Lan
guage?
308. Qu. Whether Catechists in the Irish Tongue may
58 not easily be procured and subsisted? And whether this
would not be the most practicable Means for converting the
Natives ?
THE QUERIST 45
309. Qu. Whether it be not of great Advantage to the
Church of Home, that she hath Clergy suited to all Banks of
Men, in gradual Subordination from Cardinals down to
Mendicants ?
310. Qu. Whether her numerous poor Clergy are not
very useful in Missions, and of much influence with the Peo
ple?
311. Qu. Whether in defect of able Missionaries, Persons
conversant in low Life, and speaking the Irish Tongue, if
well instructed in the first Principles of Eeligion and in the
Popish Controversy, though for the rest on a Level with
Parish Clerks, or the Schoolmasters of Charity Schools, may
not be fit to mix with and bring over our poor illiterate Na
tives, to the established Church? Whether it is not to be
wished that some Parts of our Liturgy and Homilies were
publickly read in the Irish Language ? And whether, in these
Views, it may not be right to breed up some of the better sort
of Children in the Charity Schools and qualify them for Mis
sionaries, Catechists and Readers?
312. Qu. Whether there be any Nation of Men governed
by Eeason ? And yet, if there was not, whether this would be
a good Ar||gument against the use of Reason in public Affairs? 59
313. Qu. Whether, as others have supposed an Atlantis
or Eutopia, we also may not suppose an Hyperborean Island
inhabited by reasonable Creatures?
314. Qu. Whether an indifferent Person, who looks into
all Hands, may not be a better Judge of the Play than a
Party who sees only his own?
315. Qu. Whether one, whose End is to make his Coun
try-Men think, may not gain his End, even though they
should not think as he doth?
46 GEORGE BERKELEY
316. Qu. Whether he, who only asks, Asserts? And
whether any Man can fairly confute the Querist?
317. Qu. Whether the Interest of a Part will not alway
be preferred to that of the Whole?
FINIS.
E R RA r A.
PA G E 10. Line 17. for inexhaustable r. inexhaustible.
P. 14. L. 22. for Helpless r. Hopeless. P. 16 L. nit.
60 for than r. as. II
THE
Q U E R I S T,
CONTAINING
Several QUERIES,
Propofed to the
CONSIDERATION
O F T H E
PUBLIC
PART II.
DUBLIN:
Printed by R. RE ILLY, on Cork-Hill,
For G. RISK, G. EWING, and W. SMITH, Book-
fellers in DaMes-Sfrtft, M,DCC,XXXVI.
THE
Q U E R I S T, &c.
Query 1.
WHether there be any Country in Christendom more
capable of Improvement than Ireland?
2. Qu. Whether we are not as far before other Nations
with respect to natural Advantages, as we are behind them
with respect to Arts and Industry?
3. Qu. Whether we do not live in a most fertile Soil and
temperate Climate, and yet whether our People in general
do not feel great Want and Misery ?
4. Qu. Whether my Countrymen are not readier at find
ing Excuses than Kemedies? || 4
5. Qu. Whether it can be reasonably hoped, that our
State will mend, so long as Property is insecure among us ?
6. Qu. Whether in that case the wisest Government, or
the best Laws can avail us?
7. Qu. Whether a few Mishaps to particular Persons may
not throw this Nation into the utmost Confusion ?
8. Qu. Whether the Public is not even on the Brink of
being undone by private Accidents ?
9. Qu. Whether the Wealth and Prosperity of our Coun
try do not hang by a Hair, the probity of one Banker, the
Caution of another, and the Lives of all ?
4
50 GEORGE BERKELEY
10. Qu. Whether we have not been sufficiently admon
ished of this by some late Events?
11. Qu. Whether therefore it be not high time to open
our Eyes ?
12. Qu. Whether a National Bank would not at once
secure our Properties, put an End to Usury, facilitate Com
merce, supply the want of Coin, and produce ready Pay-
5 merits || in all Parts of the Kingdom? See Qu. 206, 207, &c.
Part I.
13. Qu. Whether the Use or Nature of Money, which all
Men so eagerly pursue, be yet sufficiently understood or con
sidered by all?
14. Qu. Whether Mankind are not govern d by Imitation
rather than by Eeason?
15. Qu. Whether there be not a Measure or Limit within
which Gold and Silver are useful, and beyond which they
may be hurtful?
16. Qu. Whether that Measure be not the circulating of
Industry ?
17. Qu. Whether a Discovery of the richest Gold Mine,
that ever was, in the Heart of this Kingdom, would be a real
Advantage to us?
18. Qu. Whether it would not tempt Foreigners to prey
upon us?
19. Qu. Whether it would not render us a lazy, proud
and dastardly People ? See Qu. 45, Part I.
20. Qu. Whether every Man who had Money enough,
would not be a Gentleman? And whether a Nation of Gen-
6 tlemen would not be a wretched Nation ? 1 1
THE QUERIST 51
21. Qu. Whether all things would not bear a high Price ?
And whether Men would not increase their Fortunes without
being the better for it?
22. Qu. Whether the same Evils would be apprehended
from Paper-Money under an honest and thrifty Eegulation?
23. Qu. Whether, therefore, a National Bank would not
be more beneficial than even a Mine of Gold ?
24. Qu. Whether private Ends are not prosecuted with
more Attention and Vigour than the Public? And yet,
whether all private Ends are not included in the Public?
25. Qu. Whether Banking be not absolutely necessary to
the Public Weal ?
26. Qu. Whether even our private Banks, though at
tended with such Hazards as we all know them to be, are not
of singular use in defect of a National Bank?
27. Qu. Whether without them what little Business and
Industry there is would not stagnate ? But whether it be not
a mighty Privilege for a private Person, to be able to create
an hundred Pounds with a Dash of his Pen? || 7
28. Qu. Whether the Mystery of Banking did not derive
it s Original from the Italians? Whether this acute People
were not, upon a Time, Bankers over all Europe? Whether
that Business was not practised by some of their noblest Fami
lies, who made immense Profits by it, and whether to that the
House of Medici did not originally owe its greatness?
29. Qu. Whether the State of Venice was not the first
that conceived the Advantage of a National Bank?
30. Qu. Whether at Venice all Payments of Bills of Ex
change and Merchants Contracts are not made in the national
or public Bank, the greatest Affairs being transacted only by
52 GEORGE BERKELEY
writing the Names of the Parties, one as Debtor the other as
Creditor in the Bank-Book?
31. Qu. Whether nevertheless it was not found expedient,
to provide a Chest of ready Cash for answering all Demands
that should happen to be made on account of Payments in
detail ?
32. Qu. Whether this Offer of ready Cash, instead of
Transfers in the Bank, hath not been found to augument
8 rather than diminish the Stock thereof? ||
33. Qu. Whether at Venice, the Difference in the Value
of Bank-Money above other Money be not fixed at Twenty
per Cent?
34. Qu. Whether the Bank of Venice be not shut up four
Timesi in the Year twenty Days each time?
35. Qu. Whether by means of this Bank the Public be
not Mistress of a Million and a half Sterling ?
36. Qu. Whether the great exactness and Integrity, with
which this Bank is managed, be not the chief Support of that
Republic ?
37. Qu. Whether we may not hope for as much Skill and
Honesty in a Protestant Irish Parliament, as in a Popish
Senate of Venice?
38. Qu. Whether the Bank of Amsterdam was not begun
about one Hundred and thirty Years ago, and whether at
this Day, its Stock be not conceived to amount to three
Thousand Tons of Gold, or thirty Millions Sterling?
39. Qu. Whether besides coined Money, there be not also
great Quantities of Ingots or Bars of Gold and Silver lodged
gin this Bank?||
40. Qu. Whether all Payments of Contracts for Goods
in Gross and Letters of Exchange, must not be made by
THE QUERIST 53
Transfers in the Bank Books, provided the sum exceed three
Hundred Florins?
41. Qu. Whether it be not true, that the Bank of Am-
sterdam never makes Payments in Cash?
42. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, it be not also true, that
no Man who hath Credit in the Bank can want Money from
particular Persons, who are willing to become Creditors in
his Stead?
43. Qu. Whether any Man thinks himself the Poorer,
because his Money is in the Bank?
44. Qu. Whether the Creditors of the Bank of Amster
dam are not at Liberty to withdraw their Money when they
please, and whether this Liberty doth not make them less
desirous to use it?
45. Qu. Whether this Bank be not shut up twice in the
Year for ten or fifteen Days, during which time the Accounts
are balanced. || 10
46. Qu. Whether it be not owing to this Bank, that the
City of Amsterdam, without the least Confusion, Hazard or
Trouble, maintains and every Day promotes so general and
quick a Circulation of Industry.
47. Qu. Whether it be not the greatest Help and Spur
to Commerce, that Property can be so readily conveyed and
so well secured by a Compte en Bane, that is by only writing
one Man s Name for another s in the Bank-Book?
48. Q. Whether at the beginning of the last Century,
those who had lent Money to the Public during the War with
Spain, were not satisfied by the sole Expedient of placing their
Names in a Compte en Bane, with Liberty to transfer their
Claims ?
49. Qu. Whether the Examples of those easie Transfers
in the Compte en Bane, thus casually erected, did not tempt
54 GEORGE BERKELEY
other Men to become Creditors to the Public, in order to
Profit by the same secure and expeditious Method of keeping
and transferring their Wealth?
50. Qu. Whether this Compte en Bane hath not proved
11 better than a Mine of Gold to Amsterdam? \\
51. Qu. Whether that City may not be said to owe her
Greatness to the unpromising Accident of her having been in
Debt more than she was able to pay ?
Qu. 52. Whether it be known that any State from such
small Beginnings, in so short a Time, ever grew to so great
Wealth and Power, as the Province of Holland hath done;
and whether the Bank of Amsterdam hath not been the real
Cause of such extraordinary Growth?
53. Qu. Whether we are by Nature a more stupid People
than the Dutch? And yet whether these Things are suffi
ciently considered by our Patriots?
54. Qu. Whether any thing less than the utter Subver
sion of those Eepublics can break the Banks of Venice and
Amsterdam?
55. Qu. Whether at Hamburgh the Citizens have not the
Management of the Bank, without the medling or Inspection
of the Senate?
56. Qu. Whether the Directors be not four principal
12 Burghers chosen by plurality of || Voices, whose Business is
to see the Rules observed, and furnish the Cashiers with
Money ?
57. Qu. Whether the Book-keepers are not obliged to
balance their Accounts every Week, and exhibit them to the
Controllers or Directors?
58. Qu. Whether any besides the Citizens are admitted
to have Compte en Bane at Hamburgh ?
THE QUERIST 55
59. Qu. Whether there be not a certain Limit, under
which no Sum can be enter d into the Bank ?
60. Qu. Whether each particular Person doth not pay a
Fee, in Order to be admitted to a Compte en Bane at Ham
burgh and Amsterdam?
61. Qu. Whether the Effects lodged in the Bank of Ham
burgh are liable to be seised for Debt or Forfeiture ?
62. Qu. Whether this Bank doth not lend Money upon
Pawns at low Interest and only for half a Year, after which
Term, in default of Payment, the Pawns are punctually sold
by Auction? || is
63. Qu. Whether the Book-keepers of the Bank of Ham
burgh are not obliged upon Oath, never to reveal what Sums
of Money are paid in or out of the Bank, or what Effects any
particular Person has therein?
64. Qu. Whether, therefore, it be possible to know the
State or Stock of this Bank; and yet whether it be not of the
greatest Eeputation, and most established Credit throughout
the North ?
65. Qu. Whether the Success of those Publick Banks, in
Venice , Amsterdam and Hamburgh, would not naturally pro
duce in other States an Inclination to the same Methods ?
66. Qu. Whether an absolute Monarchy be so apt to
gain Credit, and whether the Vivacity of some Humours
could so well suit with the slow Steps and discreet Manage
ment which a Bank requires ?
67. Qu. Whether the Bank called the General Bank of
France, contrived by Mr. Law, and established by Letters
Patent in May, 1716, was not in Truth a particular and not
a National Bank, being in the Hands of a particular Company
privileged and protected by the Government? II 14
56 GEORGE BERKELEY
68. Qu. Whether the Government did not Order, that
the Notes of this Bank should pass on a Par with ready Money
in all Payments of the Revenue?
69. Qu. Whether this Bank was not obliged to issue only
such Notes as were payable at Sight ?
70. Qu. Whether it was not made a capital Crime to
forge the Notes of this Bank?
71. Qu. Whether this Bank was not restrained from
Trading either by Sea or Land, and from taking up Money
upon Interest?
72. Qu. Whether the Original Stock thereof was not six
Millions of Livres, divided into Actions of a thousand Crowns
each ?
73. Qu. Whether the Proprietors were not to hold gen
eral Assemblies twice in the Year, for the regulating of their
Affairs ?
74. Qu. Whether the Accompts of this Bank were not
balanced twice every Year?
75. Whether there were not two Chests belonging to this
Bank,, the one called the general Chest containing their
15 Specie, their || Bills and their Copper-Plates for the printing
of those Bills, under the Custody of three Locks, whereof the
Keys were kept by the Director, the Inspector and Treasurer;
also another called the ordinary Chest, containing part of the
Stock not exceeding two hundred Thousand Crowns, under
the Key of the Treasurer?
76. Qu. Whether out of this last mentioned Sum, each
particular Cashier was not to be intrusted with a Share not
exceeding the Value of twenty Thousand Crowns at a Time,
and that under good Security?
THE QUERIST 57
77. Qu. Whether the Regent did not reserve to himself
the Power of calling this Bank to Account, so often as he
should think Good, and of appointing the Inspector?
78. Qu. Whether in the Beginning of the Year, 1719,
the French King did not convert the general Bank of France
into a Banque Royale, having himself purchased the Stock of
the Company, and taken it into his own Hands, and appointed
the Duke of Orleans chief Manager thereof.
79. Qu. Whether from that Time, all Matters relating
to the Bank were not transacted in the Name, and by the sole
Authority, of the King? || 16
80. Qu. Whether his Majesty did not undertake, to re
ceive and keep the Cash of all particular Persons, Subjects or
Foreigners, in his said Royale Banque, without being paid for
that Trouble? And whether it was not declared, that such
Cash should not be liable to Seizure on any pretext, not even
on the King s own Account?
81. Qu. Whether the Treasurer alone did not sign all the
Bills, receive all the Stock paid into the Bank, and keep
Account of all the In-goings and Out-goings?
82. Qu. Whether there were not three Registers for the
enregistring of the Bills kept in the Banque Eoyale, one by
the Inspector, another by the Controller, and a third by the
Treasurer ?
83. Qu. Whether there was not also a fourth Register,
containing the Profits of the Bank, which was visited, at least
once a Week, by the Inspector and Controller ?
84. Qu. Whether beside the general bureau or Compter
in the City of Paris, there were not also appointed five more
in the Towns of Lyons, Tours, RocJtelle, Orleans and Amiens,
each whereof was provided with two Chests, one of Specie for
discharging Bills at Sight, || and another of Bank Bills to be 17
issued as there should be demand?
58 GEORGE BERKELEY
85. Qu. Whether, in the above-mentioned Towns, it was
not prohibited to make Payments in Silver, exceeding the Sum
of six Hundred Livres ?
86. Qu. Whether all Creditors were not empowred to
demand Payment in Bank-bills instead of Specie?
87. Qu. Whether, in a short Compass of Time, this Bank
did not undergo many new Changes and Eegulations, by
several successive Acts of Council?
88. Qu. Whether the untimely, repeated, and boundless
Fabrication of Bills did not precipitate the Euin of this
Bank?
89. Qu. Whether it be not true, that before the End of
July, 1719, they had fabricated four Hundred Millions of
Livres in Bank-Notes, to which they added the Sum of one
Hundred and twenty Millions more on the twelfth of Sep
tember following, also the same Sum of one Hundred and
twenty Millions on the twenty-fourth of October, and again
on the twenty-ninth of December, in the same Year the farther
Sum of three Hundred and sixty Millions, making the whole,
18 from an || original Stock of six Millions, mount, within the
Compass of one Year, to a thousand Millions of Livres?
90. Qu. Whether on the twenth-eighth of February,
1720, the King did not make an Union of the Bank with the
united Company of the East and West-Indies, which from
that Time had the Administration and Profits of the Banque
Royale ?
91. Qu. Whether the King did not still profess himself
responsible for the Value of the Bank-bills, and whether the
Company were not responsible to his Majesty for their Man
agement ?
92. Whether sixteen Hundred Millions of Livres, lent to
his Majesty by the Company, was not a sufficient Pledge to
Indemnify the King?
THE QUERIST 59
93. Qu. Whether the new Directors were not prohibited
to make any more Bills without an Act of Council?
94. Qu. Whether the Chests and Books of the Banque
were not subjected to the joint Inspection of a Counsellor of
State, and the Prevot des Narchands, assisted by two Eche-
vins, a Judge, and a Consul, who had || Power to visit when 19
they would, and without warning?
95. Qu. Whether in less than two Years, the Actions or
Shares of the Indian Company (first established for Misisipi,
and afterwards increased by the Addition of other Companies
and further Privileges) did not rise to near two Thousand
per Cent ? And whether this must be ascribed to real Advan
tages of Trade, or to mere Frenzy?
96. Qu. Whether from first to last there were not fabri
cated Bank-bills, of one Kind or other, to the Value of more
than two Thousand and six Hundred Millions of Livres, or
one hundred and thirty Millions Sterling?
97. Qu. Whether the Credit of the Bank did not decline
from its Union with the Indian Company ?
98. Qu. Whether, notwithstanding all the abovemen-
tioned extraordinary Measures, the Bank-bills did not still
pass at Par with Gold and Silver, to May, 1720, when the
French King thought fit, by a new Act of Council, to make
a Eeduction of their Value, which proved a fatal Blow, the
Effects whereof, though soon retracted, no subsequent Skill
or Management could ever repair ? 1 1 20
99. Qu. Whether, what no Reason, Reflection, or Fore
sight could do, this simple matter of Fact (the most powerful
Argument with the Multitude) did not do at once, towit,
open the Eyes of the People?
100. Qu. Whether the Dealers in that Sort of Ware had
ever troubled their Heads, with the Nature of Credit, or the
60 GEORGE BERKELEY
true Use and End of Banks, but only considered their Bills
and Actions as things, to which the general Demand gave a
Price ?
101. Qu. Whether the Government was not in great Per
plexity to contrive Expedients for the getting rid of those
Bank-bills, which had been lately multiplied with such an
unlimited Passion?
102. Qu. Whether Notes to the Value of about ninety
Millions were not sunk by being paid off in Specie, with the
Cash of the Compagnie des Indes, with that of the Bank, and
that of les Hotels des Monnoyes ? Whether five Hundred and
thirty Millions were not converted into Annuities at the Eoyal
Treasury? Whether several hundred Millions more in Bank-
Bills were not extinguished and replaced by Annuities on the
21 City of Paris on Taxes throughout the Provinces, &c. &c. ? ||
103. Qu. Whether, after all other Shifts, the last and
grand Eesource for exhausting that Ocean, was not the erect
ing of a Compte en Bane in several Towns of France ?
104. Qu. Whether, when the Imagination of a People is
thoroughly wrought upon and heated by their own Example,
and the Arts of designing Men, this doth not produce a Sort
of Enthusiasm which takes Place of Reason, and is the most
dangerous Distemper in a State?
105. Qu. Whether this epidemical Madness should not
be always before the Eyes of a Legislature, in the framing of
a National Bank ?
106. Qu. Whether, therefore, it may not be fatal to en
graft Trade on a National Bank, or to propose Dividends on
the Stock thereof? See Qu. 274. Part I.
107. Qu. Whether it be possible, for a National Bank to
subsist and maintain its Credit, under a French Government?
See Qu. 98.
THE QUERIST 61
108. Qu. Whether it may not be as useful a Lesson, to
consider the bad Management of some, as the good Manage
ment of others? || 22
109. Qu. Whether the rapid and surprising Success of
the Schemes of those, who directed the French Bank did not
turn their Brains?
110. Qu. Whether the best Institutions may not be made
subservient to bad Ends?
111. Qu. Whether, as the Aim of Industry is Power, and
the Aim of a Bank is to circulate and secure this Power to
each Individual, it doth not follow, that absolute Power in
one Hand is inconsistent with a lasting and flourishing Bank ?
112. Qu. Whether our natural Appetites, as well as
Powers, are not limited to their respective Ends and Uses?
but whether artificial Appetites may not be Infinite ?
113. Qu. Whether the simple getting of Money, or pass
ing it from Hand to Hand without Industry, be an Object
worthy of a wise Government?
114. Qu. Whether, if Money be considered as an End,
the Appetite thereof be not Infinite, but whether the Ends of
Money it self be not bounded ?
115. Qu. Whether the mistaking of the Means for the
End was not a fundamental Error in the French Councils? j| 23
116. Qu. Whether the total Sum of all other Powers, be
it of Enjoyment or Action, which belong to Man, or to all
Mankind together, is not in Truth a very narrow and limited
Quantity? but whether Fancy is not boundless?
117. Qu. Whether this capricious Tyrant, which usurps
the Place of Eeason, doth not most cruelly torment and delude
those poor Men, the Usurers, Stock-jobbers, Overseers, and
Projectors of content to themselves from heaping up Riches,
that is from gathering Counters, from Multiplying Figures,
62 GEORGE BERKELEY
from enlarging Denominations, without knowing what they
would be at, and without having a proper Regard to the Use,
or End, or Nature of Things ?
118. Qu. Whether the Ignisfatuus of Fancy doth not
kindle immoderate Desires, and lead Men into endless Pur
suits and wild Labyrinths?
119. Qu. Whether Counters be not referred to other
Things, which so long as they keep Pace and Proportion with
the Counters, it must be owned the Counters are useful, but
whether beyond that to value or covet Counters, be not direct
24 Folly? See Qu. 25 Part I. ||
120. Qu. Whether the Public Aim ought not to be that
Mens Industry should supply their present Wants, and the
Over-plus be converted into a Stock of Power?
121. Qu. Whether the better this Power is secured, and
the more easily it is transferred, Industry be not so much
the more encouraged ?
122. Qu. Whether Money, more than is expedient for
those Purposes, be not upon the Whole Hurtful rather than
Beneficial to a State ? See Qu. 215. Part I.
123. Qu. Whether there should not be a constant Care
to keep the Bills at Par?
124. Qu. Whether therefore Bank-bills should at any
Time be multiplied, but as Trade and Business were also
multiplied ?
125. Qu. Whether it was not madness in France to Mint
Bills and Actions, merely to humour the People and rob them
of their Cash?
126. Qu. Whether we may not profit by their Mistakes,
and as some Things are to be avoided, whether there may not
25 be others || worthy of Imitation, in the Conduct of our Neigh
bours ?
THE QUERIST 63
127. Qu. Whether the Way be not clear and open and
easie, and whether any thing but the Will is wanting to our
Legislature ?
128. Qu. Whether Jobs and Tricks are not detested on
all Hands, but whether it be not the joint Interest of Prince
and People, to promote Industry?
129. Qu. Whether all Things considered, a National
Bank be not the most practicable, sure, and speedy Method to
mend our Affairs, and cause Industry to flourish among us?
See Qu. 12. Sup. & Qu. 206, 207. Part I.
130. Qu. Whether a Compte en Bane or current Bank-
Bills would best answer our Occasions ?
131. Qu. Whether a Public Compte en Bane, where Ef
fects are received, and Accounts kept with particular Persons,
be not an excellent Expedient for a great City ? See Qu. 47
& 50.
132. Qu. What Effect a general Compte en Bane would
have in the Metropolis of this Kingdom, with one in each
Province subordinate thereunto? || 26
133. Qu. Whether it may not be proper for a great
Kingdom, to unite both Expedients, to wit, Bank Notes and
a Compte en Bane?
134. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, it would be advisable to
begin with both at once, or rather to proceed first with the
Bills, and afterwards, as Business multiplied and Money or
Effects flowed in, to open the Compte en Bane?
135. Qu. W T hether, for greater Security, double Books of
Compte en Bane should not be kept in different Places and
Hands ?
136. Qu. Whether it would not be right, to build the
Compters and publick Treasuries, where Books and Bank
G4 GEORGE BERKELEY
Notes are kept, without Wood all arched and floored with
Brick or Stone, having Chests also and Cabinets of Iron ?
137. Qu. Whether divers Eegisters of the Bank Notes
should not be kept in different Hands?
138. Qu. Whether there should not be great Discretion
in the uttering of Bank Notes, and whether the attempting
27 to do thingr per Saltum be not often the Way to undo them? ||
139. Qu. Whether the main Art be not by slow Degrees
and cautions Measures to reconcile the Bank to the Public,
to wind it insensibly into the Affections of Men, and inter-
wave it with the Constitution ?
140. Qu. Whether the promoting of Industry should not
be always in view, as the true and sole End, the Eule and
Measure of a National Bank? And whether all Deviations
from that Object should not be carefully avoided?
141. Qu. Whether a National Bank may not prevent the
drawing of Specie out of the Country (where it circulates in
small Payments) to be shut up in the Chests of particular
Persons ?
142. Qu. Whether it may not be useful, for supplying
Manufactures and Trade with Stock, for regulating Exchange,
for quickening Commerce, for putting Spirit into the People ?
143. Qu. Whether Tenants or Debtors could have Cause
to complain of our Monies being reduced to the English
Value, if it were withal multiplied in the same, or in a greater
Proportion? And whether this would not be the consequence
28 of a National Bank? See Qu. 29, and 30, Part I. ||
144. Qu. If there be an open sure Way to Thrive, with
out Hazard to our selves or Prejudice to our Neighbours,
what should hinder us from putting it in Practice?
THE QUERIST 65
145. Qu. Whether in so numerous a Senate, as that of
this Kingdom, it may not be easie to find Men of pure Hands
and clear Heads fit to contrive and model a Public Bank ?
146. Whether a View of the Precipice be not sufficient,
or whether we must tumble Head-long before we are roused.
See Qu. 210. Part I.
147. Qu. Whether in this drooping and dispirited Coun
try, Men are quite awake?
148. Qu. Whether we are sufficiently sensible, of the
peculiar Security there is in having a Bank, that consists of
Land and Paper, one of which cannot be exported, and the
other is in no Danger of being exported ?
149. Qu. Whether it be not delightful to complain ? And
whether there be not many who had rather utter their Com
plaints than redress their Evils ?|| 29
150. Qu. Whether if the Crown of the Wise be their
Riches * we are not the f oolishest People in Christendom ?
151. Qu. Whether we have not all the while great civil
as well as natural Advantages ?
152. Qu. Whether there be any People, who have more
Leisure to cultivate the Arts of Peace, and study the Public
Weal?
153. Qu. Whether other Nations who enjoy any share
of Freedom, and have great Objects in view, be not unovoid-
ably embarassed and distracted by Factions? but whether we
do not divide upon Trifles, and whether our Parties are not
a Burlesque upon Politics?
154. Qu. Whether it be not an Advantage that we are
not embroiled in Foreign Affairs, that we hold not the Bal-
lance of Europe, that we are protected by other Fleets and
* Prov. xiv. 24.
66 GEORGE BERKELEY
Armies, that it is the true Interest of a powerful People, from
whom we are descended, to guard us on all Sides ?
155. Qu. Whether England doth not really love us and
30 wish well to us, as Bone of her || Bone, and Flesh of her
Flesli? and whether it be not our Part, to cultivate this Love
and Affection all manner of Ways?
156. Qu. Whether, if we do not reap the Benefits that
may be made of our Country and Government, want of Will
in the lower People, or want of Wit in the upper be most in
fault?
157. Qu. What Sea Ports or foreign Trade have the
Swisses; and yet how warm are those People and how well
provided ?
158. Qu. Whether there may not be found a People who
so contrive as to be impoverished by their Trade ? and whether
we are not that People ?
159. Qu. Whether it would not be better for this Island,
if all our fine Folk of both Sexes were ship d off, to remain
in foreign Countries, rather than that they should spend their
Estates at home in foreign Luxury, and spread the Contagion
thereof through their native Land ?
160. Qu. Whether our Gentry understand or have a
Notion of Magnificence, and whether for want thereof, they
31 do not affect very wretched Distinctions? ||
161. Qu. Whether there be not an Art or Skill in govern
ing Human Pride, so as to render it subservient to the Public
Aim?
162. Qu. Whether the great and general Aim of the
Publique should not be to employ the People ?
163. Qu. What right an eldest Son hath to the worst
Education ?
THE QUERIST 67
164. Qu. Whether Mens Counsels are not the result of
their Knowledge and their Principles?
165. Qu. Whether an Assembly of Free-Thinkers, Petite
Maitres, and smart Fellows would not make an admirable
Senate?
166. Qu. Whether there be not labour of the Brains as
well as of the Hands, and whether the former is beneath a
Gentleman ?
167. Qu. Whether the Public be more Interested, to pro
tect the Property acquired by mere Birth, than that which is
the immediate Fruit of Learning and Vertue ?
168. Qu. Whether it would not be a poor and ill indulged
Project to attempt to promote || the Good of the Community, 82
by invading the Eights of one part thereof, or of one particular
Order of Men?
169. Qu. Whether the public Happiness be not proposed
by the Legislature, and whether such Happiness doth not con
tain that of the Individuals?
170. Qu. Whether, therefore, a Legislator should be con
tent with a vulgar Share of Knowledge? Whether he should
not be a person of Reflection and Thought, who hath made
it his Study to understand the true Nature and Interest of
Mankind, how to guide Mens Humours and Passions, how
to Incite their active Powers, how to make their several
Talents Cooperate to the mutual Benefit of each other, and the
general Good of the whole? See Qu. 183, 184 Part I.
171. Qu. Whether it doth not follow, that above all
things a Gentleman s Care should be to keep his own Faculties
sound and entire?
172. Qu. Whether the Natural Phlegme of the Island
needs any additional Stupifier?
68 GEORGE BERKELEY
173. Qu. Whether all Spirituous Liquors are not in
33 Truth Opiates? ||
174. Qu. Whether our Men of Business are not generally
very grave by fifty ?
175. Qu. Whether there be really among us any Parents
so silly, as to encourage drinking in their Children ?
176. Qu. Whence it is, that our Ladies are more alive,
and bear Age so much better than our Gentlemen ?
177. Qu. Whether all Men have not faculties of Mind or
Body, which may be employed for the public Benefit?
178. Qu. Whether the main Point be not to multiply
and employ our People?
179. Qu. Whether hearty Food and warm Cloathing
would not enable and encourage the lower sort to Labour ?
180. Qu. Whether in such a Soil as ours, if there was
Industry, there could be Want?
181. Qu. Whether the Way to make Men Industrious,
be not to let them taste the Fruits of their Industry? And
whether the labouring Ox should be muzzled? See Qu. 173.
34 Part I. ||
182. Qu. Whether our Landlords are to be told, that
Industry and Numbers would raise the Value of their Lands,
or that one Acre about the Tholsel is worth ten Thousand
Acres in Conaught?
183. Whether our old Native Irish are not the most indo
lent and supine People in Christendom?
184. Qu. Whether they are yet civilized, and whether
their Habitations and Furniture are not more sordid than
those of the Savage Americans?
185. Qu. Whether this be altogether their own fault?
THE QUERIST 69
186. Qu. Whether it be not a sad Circumstance to live
among lazy Beggars? And whether, on the other Hand, it
would not be delightful to live in a Country swarming, like
China, with busy People?
187. Qu. Whether we should not cast about, by all man
ner of Means to excite Industry, and to remove what ever
hinders it ? And whether every one should not lend a helping
Hand? See Qu. 3. 4. || 35
188. Qu. Whether Vanity it self should not be engaged
in this good Work ? And whether it is not to be wished, that
the finding of Employment for themselves and others, were a
fashionable Distinction among the Ladies?
189. Qu. Whether Idleness be the Mother of the Daugh
ter of Spleen?
190. Qu. Whether it may not be worth while to publish
the Conversation of Iscomachus and his Wife in Xenophon,
for the Use of our Ladies?
191. Whether it is true, that there have been, upon a
Time, one Hundred Millions of People employed in China,
without the Woolen Trade, or any foreign Commerce?
192. Qu. Whether the natural Inducements to Sloth are
not greater in the Mogol s Country than in Ireland, and yet
whether in that suffocating and dispiriting Climate, the Ban
yans are not all, Men Women and Children, constantly em
ployed ?
193. Qu. Whether it be not true, that the great Mogol s
Subjects might under-sell us even in our own Markets, and
cloath our People || with their Stuffs and Calicoes, if they 36
were imported Duty-Free?
194. Qu. Whether there can be a greater Reproach, on
the leading Men and the Patriots of a Country, than that the
People should want Employment?
70 GEORGE BERKELEY
195. Qu. Whether much may not be expected from a
bienial Consultation of so many wise Men about the public
Good?
196. Qu. Whether a Tax upon Dirt would not be one
way of encouraging Industry?
197. Qu. Whether it may not be right to appoint Cen
sors in every Parish to observe and make Eeturns of the idle
Hands?
198. Qu. Whether a Kegister or History of the Idleness
and Industry of a People would be an useless thing?
199. Qu. Whether we are apprized, of all the Uses that
may be made of political Arithmetic?
200. Qu. Whether it would be a great Hardship, if every
37 Parish were obliged to find Work for their Poor? ||
201. Qu. Whether Children, especially, should not be
inured to Labour betimes?
202. Qu. Whether there should not be erected, in each
Province, an Hospital for Orphans and Foundlings at the
Expence of old Batchelors ?
203. Qu. Whether it be true, that in the Dutch Work
houses, things are so managed, that a Child four Years old,
may earn it s own Livelihood?
204. Qu. What a Folly it is to build fine Houses, or
establish luerative Posts and large Incomes, under the Notion
of providing for the Poor?
205. Qu. Whether the Poor grown up and in Health
need any other Provision, but their own Industry under public
Inspection ?
206. Qu. Whether the Poor Tax In England, hath les
sened or increased the Number of the Poor ?
THE QUERIST 71
207. Qu. Why the Work-house in Dublin, with so good
an Endowment, should yet be of so little use ? And whether
this may not be owing to that very Endowment? || 38
208. Qu. Whether that Income might not, by this time,
have gone through the whole Kingdom, and erected a dozen
Work-Houses in every County ?
209. Qu. Whether Work-Houses should not be made at
the least Expence, with Clay Floors and Walls of rough Stone,
without plastering, cieling, or glazing?
210. Qu. Whether the Tax on Chairs or Hackney-
Coaches be not paid, rather by the Country Gentlemen, than
the Citizens of Dublin?
211. Qu. Whether it be an impossible Attempt to set our
People at Work, or whether Industry be a Habit which, like
other Habits, may by Time and Skill be introduced among
any People?
212. Qu. Whether all manner of Means should not be
employed to possess the Nation in general, with an Aversion
and Contempt for Idleness and all idle Folk? See Qu. 3.
Part I.
213. Qu. Whether it would be a Hardship on People des
titute of all Things, if the Public furnished them with Ne
cessaries which || they should be obliged to earn by their 39
Labour ?
214. Qu. Whether other Nations have not found great
Benefit from the Use of Slaves in repairing High-roads, mak
ing Eivers Navigable, draining Bogs, erecting public Build
ings, Bridges, and Manufactures?
215. Qu. Whether temporary Servitude would not be
the best Cure for Idleness and Beggary?
72 GEORGE BERKELEY
216. Qu. Whether the Public hath not a Right to employ
those who can not, or who will not, find Employment for
themselves ?
217. Qu. Whether all sturdy Beggars should not be
seized and made Slaves to the Public, for a certain Term of
Years?
218. Qu. Whether he who is chained in a Jail or Dun
geon hath not, for the Time, lost his Liberty? And if so,
whether temporary Slavery be not already admitted among
us?
219. Qu. Whether a State of Servitude, wherein he
should be well worked, fed and cloathed, would not be a Pre-
40 ferment to such a Fellow? ||
220. Qu. Whether Criminals in the freest Country may
not forfeit their Liberty, and repair the Damage, they have
done the Public, by Hard-labour?
221. Qu. What the Word Servant signifies in the New-
Testament?
222. Qu. Whether the view of Criminals chained in
Paris, and kept at Hard-labour, would not be very edifying
to the Multitude ? See Qu. 58. Part I.
223. Qu. Whether the want of such an Institution be not
plainly seen in England, where the Disbelief of a future State
hardeneth Rogues against the fear of Death, and where,
through the great growth of Robbers and House-breakers it
becomes every Day more necessary ?
224. Qu. Whether it be not easier to prevent than to
remedy, and whether we should not profit by the Example of
others ?
THE QUERIST 73
225. Qu. Whether Felons are not often spared, and there
fore encouraged, by the Compassion of those who should prose
cute them? || 41
226. Qu. Whether many that would not take away the
Life of a Thief, may not nevertheless be willing to bring him
to a more adequate Punishment?
227. Qu. Whether there should not be a Difference be
tween the Treatment of Criminals and that of other Slaves?
228. Qu. Whether the most Indolent would be fond of
Idleness, if they regarded it as the sure Eoad to Hard-labour ?
229. Qu. Whether the Industry of the lower part of our
People doth not much depend on the Expence of the upper?
230. Qu. What would be the Consequence, of our Gentry
affected to distinguish themselves by fine Houses rather than
fine Cloaths?
231. Qu. Whether any People in Europe, are so meanly
provided with Houses and Furniture in proportion to their
Incomes, as the Men of Estates in Ireland?
232. Qu. Whether building would not peculiarly encour
age all other Arts in this Kingdom? || 42
233. Qu. Whether Smiths, Masons, Bricklayers, Plaister-
ers, Carpenters, Joyners, Tylers, Plummers, Glaziers would
not all find Employment if the Humour of Building pre
vailed ?
234. Qu. Whether, the Ornaments and Furniture of a
good House do not employ a Number of all Sorts of Artificers,
in Iron, Wood, Marble, Brass, Pewter, Copper, Wool, Flax,
and divers other Materials?
235. Qu. Whether in Buildings and Gardens, a great
Number of Day-labourers do not find Employment?
74 GEORGE BERKELEY
236. Qu. Whether by these Means much of that Sus
tenance and Wealth of this Nation which now goes to For
eigners would not be kept at home and nourish and circulate
among our own People?
237. Qu. Whether as Industry produced good living, the
number of Hands and Mouths would not be encreased, and
in proportion thereunto,, whether there would not be every
Day more Occasion for Agriculture ? And whether this Arti-
43 cle alone would not employ a world of People? ||
238. Qu. Whether such Management would not equally
provide for the Magnificence of the Rich, and the Necessities
of the Poor? See Qu. 125, 126, Part I.
239. Qu. Whether an Expence in Building and Improve
ments doth not remain at home, pass to the Heir, and adorn
the Public? and whether any of those things can be said of
Claret?
240. Qu. Whether Pools do not make Fashions and wise
Men follow them ? See Qu. 13, Part I.
241. Qu. Whether, for one who hurts his Fortune by
Improvements, twenty do not ruine themselves by foreign
Luxury ?
242. Qu. Whether in Proportion as Ireland was im
proved, and beautified by fine Seats, the number of Absentees
would not decrease ?
243. Qu. Whether he who employs Men in Buildings and
Manufactures doth not put Life in the Country, and whether
44 the Neighbourhood round him be not observed to thrive? ||
244. Qu. Whether Money circulated on the Landlords
own Lands, and among his own Tenants doth not return into
his own Pocket?
THE QUERIST 75
245. Qu. Whether every Squire that made his Domaine
swarm with busy Hands, like a Bee-Hive or Ant-Hill, would
not serve his own Interest, as well as that &f his Country ?
246. Qu. Whether a Gentleman, who hath seen a little
of the World and observed how Men live elsewhere, can con
tentedly sit down in a cold, damp, sordid Habitation, in the
midst of a bleak Country, inhabited by Thieves and Beggars ?
247. Qu. Whether on the other Hand, a handsome Seat
amidst well improved Lands, fair Villages, and a thriving
Neighbourhood, may not invite a Man to dwell on his own
Estate, and quit the Life of an insignificant Saunter er about
Town, for that of an useful Country Gentleman ?
248. Qu. Whether it would not be of Use and Ornament,
if the Towns throughout this Kingdom were provided with
decent Churches, Town-Houses, Work-Houses, Market- 1| 45
Places and paved Streets, with some Order taken for Clean
liness? See Qu. 196.
249. Qu. Whether if each of these Towns were addicted
to some peculiar Manufacture, we should not find, that the
employing many Hands together on the same Work was the
Way to perfect our Workmen ? And whether all these Things
might not soon be provided by a domestic Industry, if Money
were not wanting ?
250. Qu. Whether Money could ever be wanting to the
Demands of Industry, if we had a National Bank?
251. Qu. Whether when a Motion was made once upon
a Time to establish a private Bank in this Kingdom by public
Authority, divers Gentlemen did not shew themselves forward
to embark in that Design?
252. Qu. Whether it may not now be hoped, that our
Patriots will be as forward to examine and consider the Pro
posal of a public Bank, calculated only for the public Good?
76 GEORGE BERKELEY
253. Qu. Whether any People upon Earth shew a more
early Zeal for the Service of their Country,, greater Eagerness
46 to bear || a Part in the Legislature, or a more general Partu-
riency with respect to Politicks 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.
4V Qu. 168, for Indulg d, read ill judg d.
THE
UERIST
CONTAINING
Several QUERIES,
Propofed to the
CONSIDERATION
OF THE
PUBLIC.
PART III
Confult not with a Merchant concerning Excbangt.
Eccluf. c. xxxVii. v. u.
DUBLIN:
Printed by R. REILLV, on Cork-Hill,
For Jo i, LEA T H L E y, Bookfeller, in Dtmu&rut.
M, DCC, XXXVI J.
THE
Q U E R I S T. &c.
Query 1 .
WHETHEE 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, after so
long a Peace, and under such a gentle Government, so many
Koads untrodden, Fields unfilled, Houses desolate, and Hands
unemployed ?
3. Qu. Whether there is any Country in Christendom,
either Kingdom or Eepublic, depending, or independent, free
or enslaved, which may not afford us an useful Lesson? || 4
4. Qu. Whether the frugal Swisses have any other Com
modities but their Butter and Cheese, and a few Cattle;
whether, nevertheless, the single Canton of Beam hath, not
in her public Treasury two millions Sterling?
5. Qu. Whether that small Town of Sewn, 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 sump
tuary Laws, prohibiting the Use of Gold, Jewels, Silver, Silk-
lace in their Apparel, and indulging the Women only to wear
Silk on Festivals, Weddings, and publick Solemnities?
80 GEORGE BERKELEY
7. Qu. Whether there be not two Ways of growing rich,
sparing and getting? But whether the lazy Spenthrift 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 con
venient Shape, Men should hear any publick Complaints for
5 want of Money? ||
10. Qu. Whether all Circulation be not alike a Circu
lation of Credit, whatsoever Medium (Metal or Paper) is
employed, and whether Gold be any more than Credit for so
much Power? See Part I. Qu. 37.
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 twenty thousand
Pounds in Specie, without being able to raise half the Sum
in all that Time? See Clarendon s History, B. 12.
13. Qu. Whether the whole City of Amsterdam would
not have been troubled, to have brought together twenty
thousand Pounds in one Eoom? Ibid.
14. Qu. Whether it be not absolutely necessary, that there
must be a Bank, and must be a Trust? And, if so, whether
it be not the most safe and prudent course, to have a national
Bank and trust the Legislature? See Part II. Qu. 25, and
626.||
15. Qu. Whether Objections against Trust in general
avail, when it is allowed there must be a Trust, and the only
THE QUERIST 81
Question is where to place this Trust, whether in the Legis
lature or in private Hands ?
16. Qu. Whether it can be expected, that private Persons
should have more Regard to the Public, than the Public it
self?
17. Qu. Whether, if there be Hazards from Mismanage
ment, those may not be provided against in the framing of a
public Bank ; but whether any Provision can be made against
the Mismanagement of private Banks, that are under no
Check, Control, or Inspection?
18. Qu. Whatever may be said for the Sake of objecting,
yet, whether it be not false in Fact, that Men would prefer a
private Security to a public Security?
19. Whether a national Bank ought to be considered as a
new Experiment; and whether it be not a Motive to try this
Scheme that it hath been already tried with Success in other
Countries? See Part 1. Qu. 200, and Part II. Qu. 52.
20. Qu. If Power followeth Money, whether this can be
any where more properly and securely || placed, than in the 7
same Hands wherein the supreme Power is already placed?
21. Qu. Whether there be more Danger of Abuse, in a
private than in a publick Management?
22. Qu. Whether the proper usual Remedy for Abuses
of private Banks, be not to bring them before Parliament,
and subject them to the Inspection of a Committee; and
whether it be not more prudent to prevent than to redress
an Evil?
23. Qu. Supposing there had been hitherto no such
Thing as a Bank, and the Question were now first proposed,
whether it would be safer to circulate unlimited Bills in a
private Credit, or Bills to a limited value on the public Credit
of the Community, what would Men think?
6
82 GEORGE BERKELEY
24. Qu. Whether Experience and Example be not the
plainest Proof; and whether any Instance can be assigned,
where a national Bank hath not been attended with great
Advantage to the Public?
25. Qu. Whether the Evils apprehended from a national
Bank are not much more to be apprehended from private
Banks ; but whether Men by Custom, are not familiarized and
8 reconciled to || common Dangers, which are therefore though
less than they really are?
26. Qu. Whether it would not be very hard, to suppose
all Sense, Honesty, and public Spirit were in the keeping of
only a few private Men, and the Public was not fit to be
trusted ?
27. Qu. Whether it be not ridiculous to suppose, a Legis
lature should be afraid to trust it self?
28. Qu. But, whether a private Interest be not generally
supported and pursued with more Zeal than a public?
29. Qu. Whether the Maxim, What is every Body s Busi
ness is no Body s, prevails in any Country under the Sun
more than in Ireland?
30. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, the Community of a
Danger, which lulls private Men asleep, ought not to awaken
the Public?
31. Qu. Whether there be not less Security, where there
are more Temptations and fewer Checks?
32. Qu. If a Man is to risque his Fortune, whether it be
9 more prudent to risque it on the Ore || dit of private Men, or
in that of the great Assembly of the Nation ?
33. Qu. Where is it most reasonable to expect wise and
punctual dealing, whether in a secret impenetrable recess,
where Credit depends on Secrecy, or in a public Management
regulated and inspected by Parliament?
THE QUERIST 83
34. Qu. Whether a supine Security be not catching; and
whether Numbers running the same Risque, as they lessen
the Caution, may not increase the Danger?
35. Qu. What real Objection lies against a National
Bank erected by the Legislature, and in the Management of
public Deputies, appointed and inspected by the Legislature ?
36. Qu. What have we to fear from such a Bank, which
may not be as well feared without it ?
37. Qu. How, why, by what Means, or for what End,
should it become an Instrument of Oppression?
38. Qu. Whether we can possibly be on a more precarious
Foot, than we are already? || Whether it be not in the Power 10
of any particular Person, at once to disappear, and convey
himself into foreign Parts? Or whether there can be any
Security in an Estateof Land, when the Demands upon it
are unknown?
39. Qu. Whether the establishing of a National Bank,
if we suppose a Concurrence of the Government, be not very
practicable ?
40. Qu. But, whether though a Scheme be never so evi
dently practicable and useful to the Public, yet, if conceived
to interfere with a private Interest, it be not forthwith in
Danger of appearing doubtful, difficult, and impracticable?
41. Qu. Whether the legislative Body hath not already
sufficient Power to hurt, if they may be supposed capable of
it, and whether a Bank would give them any new Power?
42. Qu. What should tempt the Public to defraud itself ?
43. Qu. Whether, if the Legislature destroyed the Pub
lic, it would not be felo de se; and whether it be reasonable to
suppose it bent on its own Destruction? || 11
84 GEORGE BERKELEY
44. Qu. Whether the Objection to a public National
Bank, from Want of Secrecy, be not in truth an Argument for
it?
45. Qu. Whether the Secrecy of private Banks be not
the very thing, that renders them so hazardous ? and whether,
without, that there could have been, of late, so many Suf
ferers ?
46. Qu. Whether when all Objections are answered, it
be still incumbent to answer Surmises?
47. Qu. Whether it were just to insinuate, that Gentle
men would be against any Proposal they could not turn into
a Job.
48. Qu. Suppose the Legislature passed their Word for
any private Banker, and regularly visited his Books, would
not Money lodged in his Bank be therefore reckoned more
secure ?
49. Qu. In a Country where the Legislative Body is not
fit to be trusted, what Security can there be for trusting any
one else?
50. Qu. If it be not ridiculous to question, whether the
Public can find Cash to circulate Bills of a limited Value,
when private Bankers are supposed to find enough to circulate
12 them to an unlimited Value? ||
51. Qu. Whether the united Stock of a Nation be not
the best Security? And whether any thing but the Euin of
the State can produce a National Bankrupcy?
52. Qu. Whether the total Sum of the public Treasure,
Power, and Wisdom, all cooperating be not most likely to
establish a Bank of Credit, sufficient to answer the Ends,
relieve the Wants, and satisfy the Scruples of all People ?
53. Qu. Whether those Hazards, that in a greater Degree
attend private Banks, can be admitted as Objections against
a public one ?
THE QUERIST 85
54. Qu. Whether that which is an Objection to every
thing be an Objection to any thing? And whether the pos
sibility of an Abuse be not of that kind ?
55. Qu. Whether in Fact all things are not more or less
abused, and yet notwithstanding such Abuse, whether many
Things are not upon the whole expedient and useful ?
56. Qu. Whether those Things that are subject to the
most general Inspection are not the lest subject to Abuse? || 13
57. Qu. Whether, for private Ends, it may not be some
times expedient to object Novelty to Things that have been
often tried, Difficulty to the plainest Things, and Hazard to
the safest?
58. Qu. Whether some Men will not be apt to argue, as
if the Question was between Money and Credit, and not (as
in Fact it is) which ought to be preferred private Credit or
public Credit? See Part I. qu. 208 and 261.
59. Qu. Whether they will not prudently overlook the
Evils felt, or to be feared, on one Side ?
60. Qu. Whether, therefore, those that would make an
impartial Judgment ought not to be on their Guard, keeping
both Prospects always in View, balancing the Inconveniencies
on each Side and considering neither absolutely?
61. Qu. Whether wilful Mistakes, Examples without a
Likeness, and general Addresses to the Passions are not often
more successful than Arguments?
62. Qu. Whether there be not an Art to puzzle plain
Cases, as well as to explain obscure ones ? || 14
63. Qu. Whether private Men are not often an over-
Match for the Public, want of Weight being made up for by
Activity ?
86 GEORGE BERKELEY
64. Qu. If we suppose neither Sense nor Honesty in our
Leaders or Kepresentatives, whether we are not already un
done, and so have nothing further to fear?
65. Qu. Suppose a Power in the Government to hurt the
Public by Means of a National Bank, yet what should give
them the Will to do this ? Or supposing a Will to do Mischief,
yet how could a National Bank modelled and administred
by Parliament put it in their Power?
68. Qu. Whether even a wicked Will intrusted with
Power can be supposed to abuse it for no End?
67. Qu. Whether it be not much more probable, that
those who make such Objections do not believe them?
68. Qu. Whether it be not vain to object, that our Fellow-
Subjects of Great Britain would malign or obstruct our In
dustry, when it is exerted in a Way, which cannot interfere
with their own?
66. Qu. Whether it is to be supposed, they should take
15 Delight in the Dirt and Nakedness || and Famine of our
People, or envy them Shoes for their Feet and Beef for their
Bellies ?
70. Qu. What possible Handle or Inclination could our
having a national Bank give other People to distress us?
71. Qu. Whether it be not ridiculous to conceive, that a
Project for Cloathing and Feeding our Natives should give
any Umbrage to England?
72. Qu. Whether such unworthy Surmises are not the
pure Effect of Spleen?
73. Qu. Whether London is not to be considered as the
Metropolis of Ireland? And whether our Wealth (such as it
is) doth not circulate through London and throughout all
England, at freely as that of any Part of his Majesty s Do
minions ?
THE QUERIST 87
74. Qu. Whether therefore it be not evidently the In
terest of the People of England, to encourage rather than
oppose a National Bank in this Kingdom, as well as every
other Means for advancing our Wealth, which shall not im
pair their own?
75. Qu. Whether it is not our Interest to be useful to
them rather than rival them; and whether || in that Case we 16
may not be sure of their good Offices? See Part I. qu. 95
and 99.
76. Qu. Whether we can propose to thrive, so long as we
entertain a wrongheaded Distrust of England?
77. Qu. Whether, as a National Bank would increase
our Industry, and that our Wealth, England may not be a
proportionable Gainer, and whether we should not consider
the Gains of our Mother-Conntry as some Accession to our
own?
78. Qu. Whether the Protestant Colony in this Kingdom
can ever forget what they owe to England?
79. Qu. Whether there ever was in any Part of the
World, a Country in such wretched Circumstances, and which,
at the same time, could be so easily remedied, and neverthe
less the Eemedy not applied?
80. Qu. What must become of a People, that can neither
see the plainest Things, nor do the easiest?
81. Qu. Be the Money lodged in the Bank what it will,
yet whether an Act to make good Deficiencies would not re
move all Scruples? || 17
82. Qu. If it be objected that a National Bank must
lower Interest, and therefore hurt the monied Man, whether
the same Objection would not hold as strong against multi
plying our Gold and Silver?
88 GEORGE BERKELEY
83. Qu. But whether a Bank that utters Bills, with the
sole View of promoting the public Weal, may not so propor
tion their Quantity, as to avoid several Inconveniencies which
might attend private Banks ?
84. Qu. Whether there be any Difficulty in comprehend
ing, that the whole Wealth of the Nation is in Truth the
Stock of a National Bank ? And whether any more than the
Eight Comprehension of this, be necessary to make all Men
easy with regard to its Credit? See qu. 51 and 52.
85. Qu. Whether any Thing be more reasonable than
that the Public, which makes the whole Profit of the Bank,
should engage to make good its Credit?
86. Qu. Whether the Prejudices about Gold and Silver
are not strong, but whether they are not still Prejudices?
87. Qu. Whether Paper doth not by its Stamp and Sig
nature acquire a local Value, and become as precious and
18 scarce as Gold? And whether it || be not much fitter to cir
culate large Sums, and therefore preferable to Gold?
88. Qu. Whether, in order to make Men see and feel, it
be not often necessary to inculcate the same thing, and place
it in different Lights?
89. Qu. Whether it doth not much import to have a right
Conception of Money? And whether it s true and just Idea
be not that of a Ticket, entitling to Power and fitted to
record and transfer such Power?
90. Qu. Whether the Managers and Officers of a National
Bank ought to be considered otherwise than as the Cashiers
and Clerks of private Banks ? Whether they are not in effect
as little trusted, have as little Power, are as much limited by
Rules, and as liable to Inspection?
91. Qu. Whether the mistaking this Point may not
create some prejudice against a National Bank, as if it de-
THE QUERIST 89
pended on the Credit or Wisdom, or Honesty of private Men,
rather than on the Public, which is really the sole Proprietor
and Director thereof, and as such obliged to support it ?
92. Qu. Whether, though the Bank of Amsterdam doth
very rarely, if at all, pay out Money, yet whether every Man
possessed of Specie || be not ready to convert it into Paper, ifr
and act as Cashier to the Bank? And whether, from the
same Motive, every monied Man throughout this Kingdom,
would not be Cashier to our National Bank?
94. Qu. Whether a National Bank would not be the
great Means and Motive for employing our poor in Manu
factures? See Part II. qu. 212. and 250.
94. Qu. Whether Money, though lent out only to the
rich, would not soon circulate among the poor ? And whether
any Man borrows but with an intent to circulate?
95. Qu. Whether both Government and People would
not in the Event, be Gainers by a National Bank? And
whether any Thing but wrong Conceptions of its Nature can
make those that wish well to either, averse from it?
96. Qu. Whether it may not be right to think, and to
have it thought, that England and Ireland Prince and People,
have one and the same Interest ?
97. Qu. Whether, if we had more Means to set on Foot
such Manufactures and such Commerce, as consists with the
Interest of England, there would not of Course be less Sheep-
walk, and less Wool exported to foreign Countries? And
whether a National Bank would not supply such Means?
See Part II. qu. 250. || 20.
98. Qu. Whether we may not obtain that as Friends,
which it is in vain to hope for as Rivals ?
99. Qu. Whether in every Instance by which we prejudice
England, we do not in a greater Degree prejudice our selves?
See Part II. qu. 153. and 154.
90 GEORGE BERKELEY
100. Qu. Whether in the rude original of Society, the
first Step was not the exchanging of Commodities, the next
a substituting of Metals by Weight as the common Medium
of Circulation, after this the making use of Coin, lastly a
further Eefinement by the Use of Paper with proper Marks
and Signatures ? And whether this, as it is the last, so it be
not the greatest Improvement ?
101. Qu. Whether we are not in Fact the only People,
who may be said to starve in the midst of Plenty?
102. Qu. Whether Business in general doth not languish
among us ? Whether our Land is not unbilled ? Whether its
Inhabitants are not upon the Wing?
103. Qu. Whether there can be a worse Sign than that
People should quit their Country for a Livelihood ? Though
Men often leaAe their Country for Health or Pleasure, or
21 Eiches, yet to || leave it merely for a Livelyhood? Whether
this be not exceeding bad, and sheweth some peculiar Mis
management ?
104. Qu. Whether our Circumstances do not call aloud
for some present Eemedy? And whether that Eemedy be
not in our own Power ?
105. Qu. Whether in order to redress our Evils, artificial
Helps, are not most wanted, in a Land where Industry is most
against the natural Grain of the People ?
106. Qu. Whether of all the Helps to Industry that ever
were invented, there be any more secure, more easy, and more
effectual than a National Bank?
107. Qu. Whether Medicines do not recommend them
selves by Experience, even though their Eeasons be obscure?
But whether Eeason and Fact are not equally clear, in Favour
of this political Medicine ?
108. Qu. Whether, although the Prepossessions about
Gold and Silver have taken deep root, yet the Example of our
THE QUERIST 91
Colonies in America doth not make it as plain as Day-Light,
that they are not so necessary to the Wealth of a Nation, as
the vulgar of all Eanks imagine? See Part I. qu. 284 and
285.
109. Qu. Whether it be not evident that we may main
tain a much greater inward and out || ward Commerce, and be 22
five times richer than we are, nay, and our Bills abroad be of
far greater Credit, though we had not one Ounce of Gold or
Silver in the whole Island?
110. Qu. Whether wrongheaded Maxims, Customs, Fash
ions are not sufficient to destroy any People, much more a
People which hath so few Eesources as the Inhabitants of
Ireland?
111. Qu. Whether it would not be an horrible Thing, to
see our Matrons make dress and play their chief Concern.
112. Qu. Whether our Ladies might not as well endow
Monasteries as wear Flanders Lace? and whether it be not
true that Popish Nuns are maintained by Protestant Contri
butions ?
113. Qu. Whether England, which hath a free Trade,
whatever she remits., for foreign Luxury with one Hand, doth
not with the other receive much more from Abroad ? Whether,
nevertheless, this Nation would not be a Gainer, if our Women
would content themselves, with the same Moderation in Point
of Expence, as the English Ladies?
114. Qu. But whether it be not a notorious Truth, that
our Irish Ladies are on a Foot, as to dress with those of three
times their Fortune in England? \\ 23
115. Qu. Whether it be not even certain, that the Ma
trons of this forlorn Country send out a greater Proportion
of its Wealth, for fine Apparel, than any other Females on
the whole Surface of this terraqueous Globe?
92 GEORGE BERKELEY
116. Qu. Whether the Expence, great as it is, be the
greatest Evil; but whether this Folly may not produce many
other Follies, an entire Derangement of Domestic Life, ab
surd Manners, neglect of Duties, bad Mothers, a general Cor
ruption in both Sexes?
117. Qu. Whether therefore a Tax on all Gold and
Silver in Apparel, on all foreign Laces and Silks, may not
raise a Fund for the Bank, and at the same Time have other
salutary Effects on the Public?
118. Qu. But if Gentlemen had rather tax themselves-
in another Way, whether an additional Tax of ten Shillings
the Hogshead on Wines, may not supply a sufficient Fund for
the National Bank, all Defects to be made good by Parlia
ment?
119. Qu. Whether upon the Whole it may not be right
24 to appoint a National Bank? ||
120. Qu. Whether the Stock and Security of such Bank
would not be, in Truth, the National Stock, or the total Sum
of the Wealth of this Kingdom ? See qu. 84.
121. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, there should not be a
particular Fund for present Use, in answering Bills and
circulating Credit?
122. Qu. Whether for this End, any Fund may not suf
fice, provided an Act be passed for making good Deficiencies ?
123. Qu. Whether the sole Proprietor of such Bank
should not be the Public, and the sole Director the Legisla
ture?
124. Qu. Whether the Managers, Officers and Cashiers
should not be Servants of the Public, acting by Orders and
limited by Rules of the Legislature?
THE QUERIST 93
125. Qu. Whether there should not be a standing Num
ber of Inspectors, one third Men in great Office, the rest
Members of both Houses, half whereof to go out, and half
to come in every Session?
126. Qu. Whether those Inspectors should not, all in a
Body, visit twice a Year, and three as often as they pleased? || 25
127. Qu. Whether the general Bank should not be in
Dublin, and subordinate Banks or Compters, one in each
Province of Munster, Ulster and Connaught 9
128. Qu. Whether there should not be such Provisions
of Stamps, Signatures, Checks, strong Boxes, and all other
Measures for securing the Bank Notes and Cash, as are usual
in other Banks?
129. Qu. Whether these ten or a dozen last Queries may
not easily be converted into Heads of a Bill? See Part I.
and II.
130. Qu. Whether any one concerns himself, about the
Security or Funds of the Banks of Venice or Amsterdam?
And whether in a little Time, the Case would not be the same
as to our Bank?
131. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, the first Beginnings of
Expedients do not always meet with Prejudices, and whether
even the Prejudices of a People ought not to be respected ?
132. Qu. Whether a National Bank be not the true Phi-
I
losopher s Stone in a State? See Part II. qu. 23. II
133. Qu. Whether it be not the most obvious Eemedy
for all the Inconveniencies we labour under, with Regard to
our Coin?
134. Qu. Whether it be not agreed on all Hands, that our
Coin is on a very bad Foot, and calls for some present
Eemedy ?
94 GEORGE BERKELEY
135. Qu. Whether the Want of Silver hath not intro
duced a Sort of Traffick for Change, which is purchased at
no inconsiderable Discount, to the great Obstruction of our
Domestic Commerce?
136. Qu. Whether, though it be evident Silver is wanted,
it be yet so evident, which is the best Way of providing for
this Want? Whether by lowering the Gold, or raising the
Silver, or partly one, partly the other?
137. Qu. Whether a partial raising of one Species be
not, in truth, granting a Praemium to our Bankers, for im
porting such Species? And what that Species is which de
serves most to be encouraged?
138. Qu. Whether it be not just, that all Gold should
7be alike rated according to its Weight and Fineness? ||
139. Qu. Whether this may be best done, by lowering
some certain Species of Gold, or by raising others, or by
joining both Methods together?
140. Qu. Whether all Eegulations of Coin should not be
made, with a View to encourage Industry and a Circulation
of Commerce, throughout the Kingdom ?
141. Qu. Whether the North and the South have not,
in truth, one and the same Interest in this Matter?
142. Qu. Whether to oil the Wheels of Commerce, be
not a common Benefit? And whether this be not done by
avoiding Fractions and multiplying small Silver?
143. Qu. But, whether a public Benefit ought to be
obtained by unjust Methods, and therefore, whether any Ee-
duction of Coin should be thought of, which may hurt the
Properties of private Men?
144. Qu. Whether those Parts of the Kingdom, where
Commerce doth most abound, would not be the greatest
28 Gainers by having our Coin placed on a right Foot? ||
THE QUERIST 95
145. Qu. Whether, in case a Seduction of Coin be
thought expedient, the uttering of Bank Bills, at the same
Time may not prevent the Inconveniencies of such a Reduc-
tion?
146. Qu. But whether any public Expediency could
countervail a real Pressure, on those who are least able to
bear it, Tenants and Debtors?
147. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, the Political Body, as
well as the Natural, must not sometimes be worse in order to
be better?
148. Qu. Whether, all Things considered, a general rais
ing the Value of Gold and Silver be not so far from bringing
greater Quantities thereof into the Kingdom, that it would
produce a direct contrary Effect, inasmuch as less, in that
Case, would serve, and therefore less be wanted? And
whether Men do not import, a Commodity, in proportion to the
Demand or Want of it?
149. Qu. Whether the lowering of our Gold would not
create a Fever in the State? And whether a Fever be not
sometimes a Cure ; but whether it be not the last Cure a Man
would choose?
150. Qu. What if our other Gold were raised to a Par
with Portugal Gold, and the Value of Silver in general raised,
with Eegard to that of Gold? || 29
151. Qu. Whether the Public Ends, may or may not, be
better answered by such Augmentation, than by a Reduction
of our Coin?
152. Qu. Provided Silver is multiplied, be it by raising
or diminishing the Value of our Coin, whether the great End
is not answered?
153. Qu. Whether raising the Value of a particular
Species will not tend to multiply such Species, and to lessen
96 GEORGE BERKELEY
others in proportion thereunto? And whether a much less
Quantity of Cash in Silver would not, in reality, enrich the
Nation more than a much greater in Gold ?
154. Qu. Whether, if a Eeduction be thought necessary,
the obvious Means to prevent all Hardships and Injustice, be
not a National Bank ?
155. Qu. Upon Supposition, that the Cash of this King
dom was five hundred thousand Pounds, and by lowering the
various Species, each one Fifth of its Value, the whole Sum
was reduced to four hundred thousand Pounds, whether the
Difficulty of getting Money, and consequently of paying Eents,
would not be encreased in the Proportion of Five to Four ?
156. Qu. Whether such Difficulty would not be a great
30 and unmerited Distress on all the Te || nants in the Nation?
But if, at the same Time with the aforesaid Reduction, there
were uttered one hundred thousand Pounds, additional to
the former current Stock, whether such Difficulty or Incon
venience would then be felt?
157. Qu. Whether, cceteris paribus, it be not true that
the Price of Things increase, as the Quantity of Money in-
creaseth, and are diminished as that is diminished? And
whether, by the Quantity of Money, is not to be understood
the Amount of the Denominations, all Contracts being nomi
nal for Pounds, Shillings and Pence, and not for Weights of
Gold or Silver?
158. Qu. Whether in any foreign Market, two Pence
advance in a Kilderkin of Corn could greatly affect our Trade ?
159. Qu. Whether, in Regard of the far greater Changes
and Fluctuations of Price from the Difference of Seasons and
other Accidents, that small Rise should seem considerable ?
160. Qu. Whether our Exports do not consist of such
Necessaries as other Countries cannot well be without?
THE QUERIST 97
161. Qu. Whether upon the Circulation of a National
Bank more Land would not be tilled, more Hands employed,,
and consequently more Commodities exported? || 31
162. Qu. Whether, setting aside the Assistance of a Na
tional Bank, it will be easy to reduce or lower our Coin,
without some Hardship (at least for the present) on a great
Number of particular Persons?
163. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, the Scheme of a Na
tional Bank doth not intirely stand clear of this Question;
and whether such Bank may not compleatly subsist and
answer its Ends, although there should be no Alteration at
all made in the Value of our Coin ?
164. Qu. Whether, if the ill State of our Coin be not
redressed, that Scheme would not be still more necessary,
inasmuch as a National Bank, by putting new Life and
Vigour into our Commerce, may prevent our feeling the ill
Effects of the Want of such Eedress?
165. Qu. Whether Men united by Interest are not often
divided by Opinion; and whether such difference in Opinion
be not an Effect of Misapprehension?
166. Qu. Whether two Things are not manifest, First,
that some Alteration in the Value of our Coin is highly
expedient, Secondly, that whatever Alteration is made, the
tenderest Care || should be had of the Properties of the People, 33
and even a Begard paid to their Prejudices?
167. Qu. Whether our taking the Coin of another Na
tion for more than it is worth be not, in reality and in event,
a Cheat upon our selves?
168. Qu. Whether a particular Coin over-rated will not
be sure to flow in upon us, from other Countries, beside that
where it is coined?
169. Qu. Whether, in case the Wisdom of the Nation
shall think fit to alter our Coin, without erecting a National
7
98 GEORGE BERKELEY
Bank, the Eule for lessening or avoiding present Inconven
ience should not be so to order Matters, by raising the Silver
and depressing the Gold, as that the total Sum of coined
Cash within the Kingdom shall, in denomination, remain
the same, or amount to the same nominal Value, after the
Change that it did before?
170. Qu. Whether all Inconvenience ought not be les
sened as much as may be; but after all, whether it would be
prudent, for the Sake of a small Inconvenience, to obstruct
a much greater Good? And whether it may not sometimes
happen that an Inconvenience, which in Fancy and general
Discourse seems great, shall when accurately inspected and
33 cast up, appear inconsiderable? ||
171. Qu. Whether in public Councils the Sum of Things,
here and there, present and future, ought not to be regarded ?
172. Whether Silver and small Money be not that which
circulates the quickest, and passeth through all Hands, on the
Eoad, in the Market, at the Shop ?
173. Qu. Whether all Things considered, it would not
be better for a Kingdom that its Cash consisted, of half a
Million in small Silver, than of two Millions in Gold? See
Part I. qu. 22.
174. Qu. Whether there be not every Day five hundred
lesser payments made for one that requires Gold ?
175. Qu. Whether Spain, where Gold bears the highest
Value, be not the laziest, and China., where it bears the lowest,
be not the most industrious Country in the known World?
176. Qu. Money being a Ticket, which entitles to Power
and records the Title, whether such power avails otherwise
than as it is exerted into Act?
177. Qu. Whether it be not evidently the Interest of
every State, that its Money should rather circulate than
84 stagnate? ||
THE QUERIST 99
178. Qu. Whether the principal Use of Cash be not it s
ready passing from Hand to Hand, to answer common Oc
casions, and whether common Occasions of all Sorts of People
are not small ones ?
179. Qu. Whether business at Fairs and Markets is not
often at a Stand, and often hindered, even though the Seller
hath his Commodities at Hand, and the Purchaser his Gold,
yet for Want of Change?
180. Qu. Whether beside that Value of Money which is
rated by weight, there be not also another Value consisting
in it s aptness to circulate ?
181. Qu. As Wealth is really Power, and Coin a Ticket
conveying Power, whether those Tickets which are the fittest
for that Use, ought not to be preferred ?
182. Qu. Whether those Tickets which singly transfer
small Shares of Power, and being multiplied, large Shares,
are not fitter for common Use than those which singly trans
fer large Shares? See qu. 178.
183. Qu. Whether the Public is not more benefited, by a
Shilling that circulates, than a Pound that lies dead? || 35
184. Qu. Whether Six Pence twice paid, be not as good
as a Shilling once paid ?
185. Qu. Whether the same Shilling circulating in a
Village may not supply one Man with Bread, another with
Stockings, a Third with a Knife, a Fourth with Paper, a
Fifth with Nails, and so answer many Wants which must
otherwise have remained unsatisfied?
186. Qu. Whether facilitating and quickening the Cir
culation of Power to supply Wants, be not the promoting of
Wealth and Industry among the lower People ? And whether
upon this the Wealth of the Great doth not depend ?
7*
100 GEORGE BERKELEY
187. Qu. Whether, without the proper Means of circu
lation, it be not in vain, to hope for thriving Manufactures
and a busy People?
188. Qu. Whether four Pounds in small Cash may not
circulate and enliven an Irish Market, which many four
Pound Pieces would permit to stagnate ?
189. Qu. Whether a Man that could move nothing less
than a hundred Pound Weight would not be much at a Loss
to supply his Wants; and whether it would not be better for
36 him to be less strong and more active? ||
190. Qu. Whether the natural Body can be in a State of
Health and Vigour, without a due circulation in the Ex
tremities, even in the Fingers and Toes? And whether the
Political Body, any more than the Natural, can thrive without
a proportionable Circulation through the minutest and most
inconsiderable Parts thereof ?
191. Qu. If we had a Mint for coining only Shillings,
Six-pences, and Copper-Money, whether the Nation would
not soon feel good Effects thereof?
192. Qu. Whether the greater Waste by wearing of small
Coins would not be abundantly overbalanced by their Useful
ness?
193. Qu. Whether it be not the Industry of common
People that feeds the State, and whether it be possible to keep
this Industry alive without small Money ?
194. Qu. Whether the Want of this be not a great Bar,
to our employing the People in these Manufactures which are
open to us, and do not interfere with Great-Britain?
195. Qu. Whether therefore such Want doth not drive
Men into the lazy Way of employing Land under Sheep-
87 Walk? II
THE QUERIST 101
196. Qu. Whether the running of Wool from Ireland
can so effectually be prevented, as by encouraging other Busi
ness and Manufactures among our People?
197. Qu. Whatever Commodities Great-Britain import-
eth, which we might supply, whether it be not her real Interest
to import them from us, rather than from any other People ?
198. Qu. Whether the Apprehension of many among us
(who for that very Eeason stick to their Wool) that England
may hereafter prohibit, limit, or discourage our Linen Trade,
when it hath been once, with great Pains and Expence thor
oughly introduced and settled in this Land, be not altogether
groundless and unjust? See Part I. qu. 99 and Part II. qu.
155.
199. Qu. Whether it is possible for this Country, which
hath neither Mines of Gold, nor a free Trade, to support, for
any Time, the sending out of Specie?
200. Qu. Whether in Fact our Payments are not made
by Bills ? And whether our foreign Credit doth not depend
on our Domestic Industry, and our Bills on that Credit? || 38
201. Qu. Whether in Order to mend it, we ought not
first to know the peculiar Wretchedness of our State ? And
whether there be any knowing of this but by Comparison?
202. Qu. Whether there are not single Market-Towns in
England, that turn more Money in buying and selling, than
whole Countries (perhaps Provinces) with us?
203. Qu. Whether the small Town of BermingJiam alone
doth not, upon an average, circulate every Week one way or
other, to the Value of fifty thousand Pounds? But whether
the same Crown may not be often paid ?
204. Qu. Whether there be any Woollen Manufacture in
BermingJiam ?
102 GEORGE BERKELEY
205. Qu. Whether bad Management may not be worse
than Slavery? And whether any Part of Christendom, be
in a more languishing Condition than this Kingdom?
206. Qu. But whether any Kingdom in Europe be so
good a Customer at Bourdeaux as Ireland?
207. Qu. Whether the Police and OEconomy of France
be not governed by wise Councils ; And whether any one from
39 this Country, who sees || their Towns, and Manufactures, and
Commerce, will not wonder what our Senators have been
doing ?
208. Qu. What Variety and Number of excellent Manu
factures are to be met with throughout the whole Kingdom
of France ?
209. Qu. Whether there are not every where some or
other Mills for many Uses, Forges and Furnaces, for Iron
Work, Looms for Tapestry, Glass-Houses, and so forth?
210. Qu. What Quantities of Paper, Stockings, Hats,
what Manufactures in Wool, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Leather,
Wax, Wool, Earthen-Ware, Brass, Lead, Tin, &c.
211. Qu. Whether the Manufactures and Commerce of
the single Town of Lyons do not amount to a greater Value,
than all the Manufactures, and all the Trade of this Kingdom
taken together?
212. Qu. Whether it be not true, that within the Compass
of one Year there flowed from the South-Sea, when that
Commerce was open, into the single Town of St. Malo s, a
Sum in Gold and Silver equal to four times the whole Specie
of this Kingdom? And whether that same Part of France
doth not at present draw from Cadiz, up || wards of two hun-
40 dred thousand Pounds per Annum ?
213. Qu. Whether in the Anniversary Fair at the small
Town of Beaucair upon the Rhone, there be not as much
Money laid out as the current Cash of this Kingdom amounts
to?
THE QUERIST 103
214. Qu. Whether it be true that the Dutch make ten
Millions of Livres, every Keturn of the Flota and Galleons,
by their Sales, at the Indies, and at Cadiz?
215. Qu. Whether it be true, that England makes at
least one hundred thousand Pounds per Annum, by the single
Article of Hats sold in Spain?
216. Qu. Whether the very Shreds shorn from Woollen
Cloth, which are thrown away in Ireland, do not make a
beautiful Tapestry in France ?
217. Qu. Whether the Toys of Thiers do not employ five
thousand Families?
218. Qu. Whether there be not a small Town or two in
France, which supply all Spain with Cards?
219. Qu. Whether there be not French Towns subsisted
merely by making Pins? ||
220. Qu. Whether the coarse Fingers of those very
Women, those same Peasants, who one Part of the Year till
the Ground and dress the Vineyards, are not another employed
in making the finest French Point?
221. Qu. Whether there is not a great Number of idle
Fingers, among the Wives and Daughters of our Peasants?
222. Qu. Whether, about twenty five Years ago, they did
not first attempt to make Porcelain in France; and whether,
in a few Years, they did not make it so well, as to rival that
which comes from China.
223. Qu. Whether the French do not raise a Trade from
Saffron, dying Drugs, and the like Products, which may do
with us as well as with them?
224. Qu. Whether we may not have Materials of our own
Growth to supply all Manufactures, as well as France, except
Silk, and whether the Bulk of what Silk, even they manufac
ture, be not imported ?
104 GEORGE BERKELEY
225. Qu. Whether it be possible for this Country to grow
rich, so long as what is made by Domestic Industry, is spent
42 in foreign Luxury? ||
226. Qu. Whether Part of the Profits of the Bank should
not be employed, in erecting Manufactures of several Kinds,
which are not likely to be set on Foot and carried on to Per
fection, without great Stock, publick Encouragement, general
Begulations, and the Concurrence of many Hands? See qu.
238.
227. Qu. Whether our Natural Irish are not partly
Spaniards and partly Tartars; and whether they do not bear
Signatures of their Descent from both these Nations, which
is also confirmed by all their Histories ?
228. Qu. Whether the Tartar Line is not numerous in
this Land; and whether there is an idler Occupation under the
Sun, than to attend Flocks and Herds of Cattle ?
229. Qu. Whether the Wisdom of the State should not
wrestle with this hereditary Disposition of our Tartars, and
with a high Hand introduce Agriculture ?
230. Qu. Whether it were not to be wished, that our
People shewed their Descent from Spain, rather by their
Honour and Honesty than their Pride, and if so, whether
they might not easily insinuate themselves into a larger
43 Share of the Spanish Trade? ||
231. Qu. Whether once upon a Time France did not,
by her Linen alone, draw yearly from Spain about eight Mil
lions of Limes ?
232. Qu. Whether the French have not suffered in their
Linen Trade with Spain, by not making their Cloth of due
Breadth; and whether any other People have suffered, and
are still likely to suffer through the same Prevarication?
THE QUERIST 105
233. Qu. Whether the Spaniards are not rich and lazy,
and whether they have not a particular Inclination and
Favour for the Inhabitants of this Island? But whether a
punctual People do not love punctual Dealers?
234. Qu. Whether about fourteen Years ago, we had not
come into a considerable Share of the Linen Trade with
Spain, and what put a Stop to this ?
235. Qu. Whether we may not, with common Industry
and common Honesty, under-sell any Nation in Europe?
236. Qu. Whether if the Linen Manufacture were car
ried on in the other Provinces, as well as in the North, the
Merchants of Qorlce, Limeric, and Galway would not soon
find the Way to Spain? \\ 44
237. Qu. Whether the Woollen Manufacture of England
is not divided into several Parts or Branches, appropriate to
particular Places, where they are only, or principally, manu
factured, fine Cloths in Somertshire, coarse in Yorkshire, long
Ells at Exeter, Saies at Sudbury, Crapes at Norwich, Linseys
at Kendal, Blankets at Whitney, and so forth ?
238. Qu. Whether the united Skill, Industry, and Emu
lation of many together on the same Work, be not the Way
to advance it? And whether it had been otherwise possible
for England, to have carried on her Woollen Manufactures to
so great Perfection?
239. Qu. Whether it would not on many Accounts be
right, if we observed the same Course with respect to our
Linen Manufacture, and that Diapers were made in one Town
or District, Damasks in Another, Sheeting in a Third, fine
wearing Linen in a Fourth, coarse in a Fifth, in another
Cambricks, in another Thread and Stockings, in others
stamped Linen, or striped Linen, or Tickens, or dyed Linen,
of which last Kinds there is so great a Consumption among
the Seafaring Men of all Nations ?|| 45
106 GEORGE BERKELEY
240. Qu. Whether it may not be worth while, to inform
our selves of the different Sorts of Linen, which are in Be
quest among different People?
241. Qu. Whether we do not yearly consume of French
Wines about a thousand Tun more than either Sweden or
Denmark, and yet, whether those Nations pay Keady-money
as we do ? See Part I. qu. 169.
242. Qu. Whether they are not the Swiss, that make
Hay, and gather in the Harvest throughout Alsatia?
243. Qu. Whether it be not a Custom for some thousand
of French Men to go about the Beginning of March into
Spain, and having tilled the Lands, and gathered the Harvest
of Spain, to return Home with Money in their Pockets, about
the End of November?
244. Qu. Whether of late Years our Irish Labourers do
not carry on the same Business in England, to the great Dis
content of many there? But whether we have not much
more Eeason than the People of England, to be displeased at
46 this Commerce? ||
245. Qu. Whether, notwithstanding the Cash supposed
to be brought into it, any Nation is in Truth, Gainer, by
such Traffic?
246. Qu. W T hether the Industry of our People employed
in foreign Land, while our own are left uncultivated, be not
a great Loss to the Country?
247. Qu. Whether it would not be much better for us,
if, instead of sending our Men Abroad, we could draw Men
from the Neighbouring Counties to cultivate our own?
248. Qu. Whether, nevertheless, we are not apt to think
the Money imported by our Labourers to be so much clear
Gains to this Country; but whether a little Eeflection, and a
little political Arithmetic, may not shew us our Mistake?
THE QUERIST 107
249. Qu. Whether our Prejudices about Gold and Silver
are not very apt to infect or misguide our Judgments and
Eeasonings about the public Weal? See qu. 291. and Part
II. qu. 13, 14, 15.
250. Qu. Whether it be not a good Eule whereby to judge
of the Trade of any City, and its Usefulness, to observe
whether there is a Circulation through the Extremities, and
whether the People round about are Busy and Warm? || 47
251. Qu. Whether we had not, some Years since, a Manu
facture of Hats at Athlone, and of Earthen- Ware at Arklow,
and what became of those Manufactures ?
252. Qu. Why do we not make Tiles, of our own, for
Flooring and Koofing, rather than bring them from Holland?
253. Qu. What Manufactures are there in France and
Venice of Gilt-Leaiher, how Cheap, and how Splendid a
Furniture ?
254. Qu. Whether we may not for the same Use, manu
facture divers Things at Home, of more Beauty and Variety,
than Wainscot, which is imported at such Expence from
Norway ?
255. Qu. Whether the Use and the Fashion will not soon
make a Manufacture?
256. Qu. Whether if our Gentry used to drink Mead and
Cyder, we should not soon have those Liquors in the utmost
Perfection and Plenty?
257. Qu. Whether it be not wonderful, that with such
Pastures, and so many black Cattle, we do not find our selves
in Cheese?
258. Qu. Whether great Profits may not be made by
Fisheries; but whether our Irish who live by that Business,
do not contrive to be drunk and unemployed, one half of the
Year?!! 48
108 GEORGE BERKELEY
259. Qu. Whether it be not Folly to think, an inward
Commerce cannot enrich a State, because it doth not encrease
its Quantity of Gold and Silver? And whether it is possible
a Country should not thrive, while Wants are supplied, and
Business goes on ? See Part I. qu. 4.
260. Qu. Whether Plenty of all the Necessaries and
Comforts of Life be not real Wealth?
261. Qu. Whether Lyons, by the Advantage of her mid
land Situation, and the Eivers Rhone and Sone, be not a
great Magazine, or Mart for inward Commerce ? And whether
she doth not maintain a constant Trade with most Parts of
France, with Provence for Oils and dried Fruits, for Wines
and Cloth with Languedoc, for Stuffs with Champaign, for
Linen with Picardy, Normandy and Bretagny, for Corn with
Burgundy ?
262. Qu. Whether she doth not receive and utter all
those Commodities, and raise a Profit from the Distribution
thereof, as well as of her own Manufacture, throughout the
Kingdom of France?
263. Qu. Whether the Charge, of making good Eoads
and navigable Eivers across the Country, would not be really
49 repaid by an inward Commerce? ||
264. Qu. Whether as our Trade and Manufactures in
creased, Magazines should not be established in proper Places,
fitted by their Situation, near great Eoads and navigable
Eivers, Lakes or Canals, for the ready Eeception and Distri
bution of all Sorts of Commodities, from and to the several
Parts of the Kingdom; and whether the Town of Athlone,
for Instance, may not be fitly situate for such a Magazine, or
Centre of Domestic Commerce?
265. Qu. Whether an inward Trade would not Cause
Industry to flourish, and multiply the Circulation of our
THE QUERIST 109
Coin, and whether this may not do as well as multiplying the
Coin it self?
266. Qu. Whether the Benefits of a Domestic Commerce
are sufficiently understood, and attended to, and whether the
Cause hereof be not the prejudiced and narrow Way of think
ing about Gold and Silver? See Part I. qu. 116, and 129.
267. Qu. Whether there be any other more easy and
unenvied Method of increasing the Wealth of a People ?
268. Qu. Whether we of this Island are not from our
peculiar Circumstances determined to this very Commerce
above any other, from the Number of Necessaries and good
Things that we possess within our selves, from the Extent
and || Variety of our Soil, from the navigable Eivers and good 50
Roads which we have or may have, at a less Expence than any
People in Europe, from our great plenty of Materials for
Manufactures, and particularly from the Restraints we lie
under with regard to our foreign Trade?
269. Qu. Whether Commissioners of Trade or other
proper Persons should not be appointed, to draw up Plans of
our Commerce both foreign and domestic, and lay them at the
Beginning of every Session before the Parliament?
270. Qu. Whether Registers of Industry should not be
kept, and the Public from Time to Time acquainted, what
new Manufactures are introduced, what increase or decrease
of old ones?
271. Qu. Whether annual Inventories should not be pub
lished of the Fairs throughout the Kingdom, in order to judge
of the Growth of its Commerce?
272. Qu. Whether there be not every Year more Cash
circulated at the Card Tables of Dublin, than all the Fairs of
Ireland?
110 GEORGE BERKELEY
273. Qu. Whether the Wealth of a Country will not bear
51 proportion to the skill and Industry of its Inhabitants? ||
274. Qu. Whether foreign Imports that tend to promote
Industry should not be encouraged, and such as have a Ten
dency to promote Luxury should not be discouraged?
275. Qu. Whether the annual Balance of Trade between
Italy and Lyons be not about four Millions in Favour of the
Former, and yet, whether Lyons be not a Gainer by this
Trade?
276. Qu. Whether the general Eule, of determining the
Profit of a Commerce by its Balance, doth not, like other
general Eules, admit of Exception?
277. Qu. Whether it would not be a monstrous Folly to
import nothing but Gold and Silver, supposing we might do
it, from every foreign Part to which we trade? And yet,
whether some Men may not think this foolish Circumstance
a very happy one?
278. Qu. But whether we do not all see the Eidicule of
the Mogol s Subjects, who take from us nothing but our
Silver, and bury it under Ground in order to make sure
thereof against the Eesurrection ?
279. Qu. Whether he must not be a wrong-headed Pa
triot or Politician, whose ultimate View was drawing Money
52 into a Country and keeping it there? ||
280. Qu. Whether it be not evident, that not Gold but
Industry causeth a Country to flourish?
281. Qu. Whether it would not be a silly Project in any
Nation to hope to grow rich by prohibiting the Exportation
of Gold and Silver?
282. Qu. Whether there can be a greater Mistake in
Politics, than to measure the Wealth of a Nation by its Gold
and Silver?
THE QUERIST 111
283. Qu. Whether Gold and Silver be not a Drug where
they do not promote Industry? Whether they be not even
the Bane and Undoing of an idle People ?
284. Qu. Whether Gold will not cause either Industry
or Vice to flourish ? And whether a Country, where it flowed
in without Labour, must not be wretched and dissolute like
an Island inhabited by Buccaneers ?
285. Qu. Whether Arts and Virtue are not likely to
thrive, where Money is made a Means to Industry? But
whether Money without this would be a Blessing to any Peo
ple?
286. Qu. Whether therefore Misisipi, South-Sea, and
such like Schemes were not calculated for public Euin? || 53
287. Qu. Whether keeping Cash at Home, or sending it
Abroad, just as it most serves to promore Industry, be not the
real Interest of every Nation?
288. Qu. Whether Commodities of all Kinds do not
naturally flow where there is the greatest Demand? Whether
the greatest Demand for a Thing be not where it is of most
Use? Whether Money, like other Things hath not its proper
Use ? Whether this Use be not to circulate ? Whether there
fore there must not of Course be Money where there is a
Circulation of Industry; and where there is no Industry,
whether there will be a Demand for Money?
289. Qu. Whether all such Princes and Statesmen are
not greatly deceived, who imagine that Gold and Silver, any
way got, will enrich a Country? See Part I. qu. 45. and
Part II. qu. 15.
290. Qu. Whether it is not a great Point to know what
we would be at ? And whether whole States, as well as private
Persons, do not often fluctuate for Want of this Knowledge ?
112 GEORGE BERKELEY
291. Qu. Whether Gold may not be compared to Sejanus s
Horse, if we consider its Passage through the World, and the
Fate of those Nations which have been successively possessed
54 thereof? ||
292. Qu. Whether the Effect is not to be considered,
more than the Kind or Quantity of Money ?
293. Qu. Whether Means are not so far useful as they
answer the End? And whether, in different Circumstances,
the same Ends are not obtained by different Means?
294. Qu. If we are a poor Nation, abounding with very
poor People, will it not follow, that a far greater Proportion
of our Stock should be in the smallest and lowest Species,
than would suit with England?
295. Qu. Whether, therefore, it would not be highly ex
pedient, if our Money were coined of peculiar Values, best
fitted to the Circumstances and Uses of our own Country;
and whether any other People could take Umbrage at our
consulting our own Convenience, in an Affair intirely Do
mestic, and that lies within our selves ?
296. Qu. Whether every Man doth not know, and hath
not long known, that the Want of a Mint causeth many other
55 Wants in this Kingdom? ||
297. Qu. What Harm did England sustain about three
Centuries ago, when Silver was coined in this Kingdom?
298. Qu. What Harm was it to Spain, that her Prov
inces of Naples and Sicily had all along Mints of their own?
See Part I. qu. 100.
299. Qu. Whether those who have the Interest of this
Kingdom at Heart, and are concerned in the Councils thereof,
ought not to make the most humble and earnest Eepresen-
THE QUERIST 113
tations to his Majesty, that he may vouchsafe to grant us that
Favour, the Want of which is ruinous to our Domestic In
dustry, and the having of which would interfere with no
Interest of our Fellow Subjects?
300. Qu. Whether it may not be presumed, that our not
having a Privilege, which every other Kingdom in the World
enjoys, be not owing to our own Want of Diligence and Una
nimity in soliciting for it ?
301. Qu. Whether his most gracious Majesty hath ever
been addressed on this Head in a proper Manner, and had the
Case fairly stated for HIS Eoyal Consideration, and if not,
whether we may not blame our selves? || 56
302. Qu. If his Majesty would be pleased to grant us a
Mint, whether the Consequences thereof may not prove a
valuable Consideration to the Crown?
303. Qu. Whether it be not the Interest of England, that
we should cultivate a Domestic Commerce among our selves;
and whether it could give them any possible Jealousy, if our
small Sum of Cash was contrived to go a little further, if
there was a little more Life in our Markets, a little more
buying and selling in our Shops, a little better Provision for
the Backs and Bellies of so many forlorn Wretches throughout
the Towns and Villages of this Island?
304. Qu. Whether Great-Britain ought not to promote
the Prosperity of her Colonies, by all Methods consistent with
her own? And whether the Colonies themselves ought to
wish or aim at it by others?
305. Qu. Whether the remotest Parts from the Metropo
lis, and the lowest of the People, are not to be regarded as
the Extremities and Limbs of the political Body? || 57
114 GEORGE BERKELEY
306. Qu. Whether, although the Capilary Vessels are
small, yet Obstructions in them do not produce great Chroni
cal Diseases ?
307. Qu. Whether Faculties are not enlarged and im
proved by Exercise ?
308. Qu. Whether the Sum of the Faculties put into
Act, or in other Words, the united Action of a whole People
doth not constitute the Momentum of a State?
309. Qu. Whether such Momentum be not the real Stock
or Wealth of a State; and whether its Credit be not propor
tional thereunto?
310. Qu. Whether in every wise State the Faculties of
the Mind are not most considered?
311. Qu. Whether every Kind of Employment, or Busi
ness, as it implies more Skill and Exercise of the higher
Powers, be not more valued ?
312. Qu. Whether the Momentum of a State doth not
58 imply the whole Exertion of its Facul || ties, Intellectual and
Corporeal; and whether the latter without the former, could
act in Concert?
313. Qu. Whether the divided Force of Men, acting
singly and unadvisedly, would not be a Eope of Sand ?
314. Qu. Whether the particular Motions of the Mem
bers of a State, in opposite Directions, will not destroy each
other, and lessen the Momentum of the Whole; but whether
they must not conspire to produce a great Effect?
315. Qu. Whether the ready Means to put Spirit into
this State, to fortify and increase its Momentum, would not
be a National Bank, and plenty of small Cash?
THE QUERIST 115
316. Qu. Whether private Endeavours without Assist
ance from the Public, are likely to advance our Manufactures
and Commerce to any great Degree? But whether, as Bills
uttered from a National Bank, upon private Mortgages, would
facilitate the Purchases and Projects of pri||vate Men, even 59
so the same Bills uttered on the public Security alone, may
not answer public Ends, in promoting new Works and Manu
factures throughout the Kingdom?
317. Qu. Whether that which employs and exerts the
Force of a Community deserves not to be well considered, and
well understood?
318. Qu. Whether the immediate Mover, the Blood and
Spirits, be not Money, Paper or Metal, and whether the Soul
or Will of the Community, which is the prime Mover that
governs and directs the Whole, be not the Legislature?
319. Qu. Supposing the Inhabitants of a Country, quite
sunk in Sloth, or even fast asleep, whether upon the gradual
Awakening and Exertion, first, of the Sensitive and Loco
motive Faculties, next of Reason and Reflection, then of
Justice and Piety, the Momentum of such Country or State,
would not, in proportion thereunto, become still more and
more considerable?
320. Qu. Whether that which is last attained, and is the
finishing Perfection of a People, be not the first Thing lost
in their Declension? || 60
321. Qu. Whether Force be not of Consequence, only as
it is exerted; and whether great Force without great Wisdom
may not be a Nuisance ?
322. Qu. Whether the Force of a Child applied with
Art, may not produce greater Effects than that of a Giant?
And whether a small Stock in the Hands of a wise State,
116 GEORGE BERKELEY
may not go further, and produce more considerable Effects,
than immense Sums in the Hands of a foolish one?
323. Qu. Whether as many as wish well to their Country
ought not to aim at increasing its Momentum ?
324. Qu. Whose Fault is it if poor Ireland still con
tinues poor?
FINIS.
ERRATA.
PAGE 4. Line 13 for Silklace, read Silk, Lace, p. 30 1. 7 r.
61 Prices, p. 32 1. 21 r. to be. p. 39, 1. 8 r. as Mills. ||
ECO
V
HC
254
.5
B4
Berkeley, George, Bp. of
Cloyne
Several queries proposed
to the public, 1735-37
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CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
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