a modest proposal(一个小小的建议)-第3节
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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 I freely 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。 Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients： Of taxing our
absentees at five shillings a pound： Of using neither cloaths； nor houshold
furniture； except what is of our own growth and manufacture： Of utterly
rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury： Of
curing the expensiveness of pride； vanity； idleness； and gaming in our
women： Of introducing a vein of parsimony； prudence and temperance： Of
learning to love our country； wherein we differ even from Laplanders； and
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A Modest Proposal
the inhabitants of Topinamboo： Of quitting our animosities and factions；
nor acting any longer like the Jews； who were murdering one another at
the very moment their city was taken： Of being a little cautious not to sell
our country and consciences for nothing： Of teaching landlords to have at
least one degree of mercy towards their tenants。 Lastly； of putting a spirit
of honesty； industry； and skill into our shop…keepers； who； if a resolution
could now be taken to buy only our native goods； would immediately
unite to cheat and exact upon us in the price； the measure； and the
goodness； nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just
dealing； though often and earnestly invited to it。
Therefore I repeat； let no man talk to me of these and the like
expedients； 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope； that there will ever
be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice。
But； as to my self； having been wearied out for many years with
offering vain； idle； visionary thoughts； and at length utterly despairing of
success； I fortunately fell upon this proposal； which； as it is wholly new； so
it hath something solid and real； of no expence and little trouble； full in
our own power； and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging
England。 For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation； and flesh
being of too tender a consistence； to admit a long continuance in salt；
although perhaps I could name a country； which would be glad to eat up
our whole nation without it。
After all； I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion； as to reject
any offer； proposed by wise men； which shall be found equally innocent；
cheap； easy； and effectual。 But before something of that kind shall be
advanced in contradiction to my scheme； and offering a better； I desire the
author or authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points。 First； As
things now stand； how they will be able to find food and raiment for a
hundred thousand useless mouths and backs。 And secondly； There being a
round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom；
whose whole subsistence put into a common stock； would leave them in
debt two million of pounds sterling； adding those who are beggars by
profession； to the bulk of farmers； cottagers and labourers； with their
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A Modest Proposal
wives and children； who are beggars in effect； I desire those politicians
who dislike my overture； and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer；
that they will first ask the parents of these mortals； whether they would not
at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year
old； in the manner I prescribe； and thereby have avoided such a perpetual
scene of misfortunes； as they have since gone through； by the oppression
of landlords； the impossibility of paying rent without money or trade； the
want of common sustenance； with neither house nor cloaths to cover them
from the inclemencies of the weather； and the most inevitable prospect of
intailing the like； or greater miseries； upon their breed for ever。
I profess； in the sincerity of my heart； that I have not the least personal
interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work； having no other
motive than the publick good of my country； by advancing our trade；
providing for infants； relieving the poor； and giving some pleasure to the
rich。 I have no children； by which I can propose to get a single penny； the
youngest being nine years old； and my wife past child…bearing。
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