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 sortare well fed, clothed, 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 employneither heads nor hands for the common benefit deserve not to beexpelled like drones out of a well-governed State?
4. Qu. Whether the four elements, and man's labour therein, be notthe true source of wealth?
5. Qu. Whether money be not only so far useful, as it stirreth upindustry, enabling men mutually to participate the fruits of eachother's labour?
6. Qu. Whether any other means, equally conducing to excite andcirculate 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 whetherhe who could have everything else at his wish or will would valuemoney?
8. Qu. Whether the public aim in every well-govern'd State be notthat each member, according to his just pretensions and industry,should have power?
9. Qu. Whether power be not referred to action; and whether actiondoth not follow appetite or will?
10. Qu. Whether fashion doth not create appetites; and whether theprevailing will of a nation is not the fashion?
11. Qu. Whether the current of industry and commerce be notdetermined by this prevailing will?
12. Qu. Whether it be not owing to custom that the fashions areagreeable?
13. Qu. Whether it may not concern the wisdom of the legislature tointerpose in the making of fashions; and not leave an affair of sogreat influence to the management of women and fops, tailors andvintners?
14. Qu. Whether reasonable fashions are a greater restraint onfreedom than those which are unreasonable?
15. Qu. Whether a general good taste in a people would not greatlyconduce to their thriving? And whether an uneducated gentry be notthe greatest of national evils?
16. Qu. Whether customs and fashions do not supply the place ofreason in the vulgar of all ranks? Whether, therefore, it doth notvery much import that they should be wisely framed?
17. Qu. Whether the imitating those neighbours in our fashions, towhom we bear no likeness in our circumstances, be not one cause ofdistress to this nation?
18. Qu. Whether frugal fashions in the upper rank, and comfortableliving in the lower, be not the means to multiply inhabitants?
19. Qu. Whether the bulk of our Irish natives are not kept fromthriving, by that cynical content in dirt and beggary which theypossess to a degree beyond any other people in Christendom?
20. Qu. Whether the creating of wants be not the likeliest way toproduce industry in a people? And whether, if our peasants wereacc