第3章

Thirdly,Whereas the maintainance of an hundred thousand children,from two years old,and upwards,cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a piece per annum,the nation's stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per annum,besides the profit of a new dish,introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom,who have any refinement in taste.And the money will circulate among our selves,the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.

Fourthly,The constant breeders,besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children,will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.

Fifthly,This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns,where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to perfection;and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen,who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating;and a skilful cook,who understands how to oblige his guests,will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.

Sixthly,This would be a great inducement to marriage,which all wise nations have either encouraged by rewards,or enforced by laws and penalties.It would encrease the care and tenderness of mothers towards their children,when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes,provided in some sort by the publick,to their annual profit instead of expence.We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women,which of them could bring the fattest child to the market.Men would become as fond of their wives,during the time of their pregnancy,as they are now of their mares in foal,their cows in calf,or sow when they are ready to farrow;nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice)for fear of a miscarriage.

Many other advantages might be enumerated.For instance,the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barrel'd beef:the propagation of swine's flesh,and improvement in the art of making good bacon,so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs,too frequent at our tables;which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown,fat yearly child,which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor's feast,or any other publick entertainment.But this,and many others,I omit,being studious of brevity.

Supposing that one thousand families in this city,would be constant customers for infants flesh,besides others who might have it at merry meetings,particularly at weddings and christenings,I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcasses;and the rest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper)the remaining eighty thousand.

I can think of no one objection,that will possibly be raised against this proposal,unless it should be urged,that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom.This Ifreely own,and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world.I desire the reader will observe,that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland,and for no other that ever was,is,or,I think,ever can be upon Earth.