MAXIMS CONCERNING PATRIOTISM. 1 EVERY man by consulting his own heart, may easily know whether he is or is not a patriot. But it is not so easy for the by-standers. 2. Being loud and vehement either against a court, or for a court, is no proof of patriotism. 3 A man whose passion for money runs high, bids fair for being no patriot. And he likewise whose appetite is keen for power. 4. A native than a foreigner, a married man than a bachelor, a believer than an infidel, have a better chance for being patriots. 5. It is impossible an epicure should be a patriot. 6. It is impossible a man who cheats at cards, or cogs the dice, should be a patriot. 7. It is impossible a man who is false to his friends and neighbours should be true to the public. 8. Every knave is a thorough knave. And a thorough knave is a knave throughout. 9. A man who hath no sense of God or conscience; would you make such a one guardian to your child? if not, why guardian to the state? 10. A sot, a beast, benummed and stupified by excess, is good for nothing, much less to make a patriot of. 11. A fop or man of pleasure makes but a scurvy patriot. 12. A sullen, churlish man, who loves nobody, will hardly love his country. 13. The love of praise and esteem may do something: but to make a true patriot there must be an inward sense of duty and conscience. 14. Honesty (like other things) grows from its proper sced, good principles early laid in the mind. 15. To be a real patriot, a man must consider his countrymen as God's creatures, and himself as accountable for his acting towards them. 16. If pro aris et focis be the life of patriotism, he who hath no religion or no home makes a suspected patriot. 17. No man perjures himself for the sake of conscience. 18. There is an easy way of reconciling malcontents. Sunt verba et voces quibus hunc lenire dolorem, &c. 19. A good groom will rather stroke than strike. 20. He who saith there is no such thing as an honest man, you may be sure is himself a knave. 21. I have no opinion of your bumper patriots. Some cat, some drink, some quarrel for their country. MODERN PATRIOTISM! 22. Ibycus is a carking, griping, closefisted fellow. It is odds that Ibycus is not a patriot. 23. We are not to think every clamorous haranguer, or every splenetic repiner against a court, is therefore a patriot. 24. A patriot is one who heartily wisheth the public prosperity, and doth not only wish, but also study and endeavour to promote it. 25. Gamesters, fops, rakes, bullies, stock-jobbers: alas! what patriots? 26. Some writers have thought it impossible that men should be brought to laugh at public spirit. Yet this hath been done in the present age. The 27. The patriot aims at his private good in the public. The knave makes the public subservient to his private interest. former considers himself as part of a whole, the latter considers himself as the whole. 28. There is and ever will be a natural strife between court and country. The one will get as much, and the other give as little as it can. How must the patriot behave himself? 29. He gives the necessary. If he gives more it is with a view of gaining more to his country. 30. A patriot will never barter the public money for his private gain. 31. Moral evil is never to be committed, physical evil may be incurred, either to avoid a greater evil, or to procure a good. 32. Where the heart is right, there is true patriotism. 33. In your man of business, it is easier to meet with a good head than a good heart. 34. A patriot will admit there may be honest men, and that honest men may differ. -35. He that always blames or always praises is no patriot. 36. Were all sweet and sneaking courtiers, or were all sour malcontents; in either case the public would thrive but ill. 37. A patriot would hardly wish there was no contrast in the state. 38. Ferments of the worst kind succeed to perfect inaction. 39. A man rages, rails, and raves; I suspect his patriotism. 40. The fawning courtier and the surly 'squire, often mean the same thing, each his own interest. 41. A patriot will esteem no man for being of his party. 42. The factious man is apt to mistake himself for a patriot ADVERTISEMENT BY THE AUTHOR. THE Querist was first printed in the year one thousand seven hundred and thirty-five, since which time the face of things is somewhat changed. In this edition some alterations have been made. The three parts are published in one; some few queries are added, and many omitted, particularly of those relating to the sketch or plan of a national bank; which it may be time enough to take again in hand, when the public shall seem disposed to make use of such an expedient. I had determined with myself never to prefix my name to the Querist, but in the last edition was overruled by a friend, who was remarkable for pursuing the public interest with as much diligence, as others do their own. I apprehend the same censure on this that I incurred upon another occasion, for meddling out of my profession. Though to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, by promoting an honest industry, will, perhaps, be deemed no improper employment for a clergyman, who still thinks himself a member of the commonwealth. As the sum of human happiness is supposed to consist in the goods of mind, body, and fortune, I would fain make my studies of some use to mankind, with regard to each of these three particulars, and hope it will not be thought faulty or indecent in any man, of what profession soever, to offer his mite towards improving the manners, health, and prosperity of his fellow creatures. THE QUERIST. Qu. 1. WHETHER there ever was, is, or will be, an industrious nation poor, or an idle rich? 2. Whether a people can be called poor, where the common sort are well fed, clothed, and lodged? 3. 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. Whether the four elements, and man's labour therein, be not the true source of wealth? 5. Whether money be not only so far useful, as it stirreth up industry, enabling men mutually to participate the fruits of each other's labour? 6. Whether any other means, equally conducing to excite and circulate the industry of mankind, may not be as useful as money? 7. 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. Whether the public aim in every well governed state be not, that each member, according to his just pretensions and industry, should have power? 9. Whether power be not referred to action; and whether action doth not follow appetite or will? 10. Whether fashion doth not create appetites; and whether the prevailing will of a nation is not the fashion? 11. Whether the current of industry and commerce be not determined by this prevailing will? 12. Whether it be not owing to custom, that the fashions are agreeable? 13. 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, tailors, and vintners? 14. Whether reasonable fashions are a greater restraint on freedom than those which are unreasonable? 15. Whether a general good taste in a people would not |