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will be more glutted than usual； because the number of Popish
infants； is at least three to one in this kingdom； and therefore
it will have one other collateral advantage； by lessening the
number of Papists among us。
I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child
（in which list I reckon all cottagers； labourers； and four…fifths
of the farmers） to be about two shillings per annum； rags
included； and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten
shillings for the carcass of a good fat child； which； as I have
said； will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat； when he
hath only some particular friend； or his own family to dine with
him。 Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord； and grow
popular among his tenants； the mother will have eight shillings
neat profit； and be fit for work till she produces another child。
Those who are more thrifty （as I must confess the times require）
may flea the carcass； the skin of which； artificially dressed；
will make admirable gloves for ladies； and summer boots for fine
gentlemen。
As to our City of Dublin； shambles may be appointed for this
purpose； in the most convenient parts of it； and butchers we may
be assured will not be wanting； although I rather recommend
buying the children alive； and dressing them hot from the knife；
as we do roasting pigs。
A very worthy person； a true lover of his country； and whose
virtues I highly esteem； was lately pleased； in discoursing on
this matter； to offer a refinement upon my scheme。 He said； that
many gentlemen of this kingdom； having of late destroyed their
deer； he conceived that the want of venison might be well
supply'd by the bodies of young lads and maidens； not exceeding
fourteen years of age； nor under twelve； so great a number of
both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of
work and service： And these to be disposed of by their parents if
alive； or otherwise by their nearest relations。 But with due
deference to so excellent a friend； and so deserving a patriot； I
cannot be altogether in his sentiments； for as to the males； my
American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience； that
their flesh was generally tough and lean； like that of our
school…boys； by continual exercise； and their taste disagreeable；
and to fatten them would not answer the charge。 Then as to the
females； it would； I think； with humble submission； be a loss to
the publick； because they soon would become breeders themselves：
And besides； it is not improbable that some scrupulous people
might be apt to censure such a practice； （although indeed very
unjustly） as a little bordering upon cruelty； which； I confess；
hath always been with me the strongest objection against any
project； how well soever intended。
But in order to justify my friend； he confessed； that this
expedient was put into his head by the famous Salmanaazor； a
native of the island Formosa； who came from thence to London；
above twenty years ago； and in conversation told my friend； that
in his country； when any young person happened to be put to
death； the executioner sold the carcass to persons of quality； as
a prime dainty； and that； in his time； the body of a plump girl
of fifteen； who was crucified for an attempt to poison the
Emperor； was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of
state； and other great mandarins of the court in joints from the
gibbet； at four hundred crowns。 Neither indeed can I deny； that
if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this
town； who without one single groat to their fortunes； cannot stir
abroad without a chair； and appear at a play…house and assemblies
in foreign fineries which they never will pay for； the kingdom
would not be the worse。
Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about
that vast number of poor people； who are aged； diseased； or
maimed； and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course
may be taken； to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance。
But I am not in the least pain upon that matter； because it is
very well known； that they are every day dying； and rotting； by
cold and famine； and filth； and vermin； as fast as can be
reasonably expected。 And as to the young labourers； they are now
in almost as hopeful a condition。 They cannot get work； and
consequently pine away from want of nourishment； to a degree；
that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labour；
they have not strength to perform it； and thus the country and
themselves are happily delivered from the evils to come。
I have too long digressed； and therefore shall return to my
subject。 I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made
are obvious and many； as well as of the highest importance。
For first； as I have already observed； it would greatly lessen
the number of Papists； with whom we are yearly over…run； being
the principal breeders of the nation； as well as our most
dangerous enemies； and who stay at home on purpose with a design
to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender； hoping to take their
advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants； who have
chosen rather to leave their country； than stay at home and pay
tithes against their conscience to an episcopal curate。
Secondly； The poorer tenants will have something valuable of
their own； which by law may be made liable to a distress； and
help to pay their landlord's rent； their corn and cattle being
already seized； and money a thing unknown。
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 publi