refutation of the objection. But on the diligent and careful examination which has taken place, of the state of the different Classes who might be affected by the Measure, it has appeared, that in the Metropolis and in large Towns, there may be found cases of persons paying at present above Three Pounds, on whom either a Treble Rate, or any great augmentation beyond what they now pay, might be a real hardship. What has been proposed in consequence? That whatever may be the sum which any one now pays to the Assessed Taxes, whether One Pound, Three Pounds, or any other sum; whatever may be the appearance which his trade and situation may require, or which any motive may have led him to assume, yet if he can declare on Oath that he is not worth so much as Sixty Pounds per annum (after deducting his present Assessed Taxes), he shall be absolutely exempt.- No PERSON UNDER SIXTY POUNDS PER ANNUM, FREE INCOME, IS TO BE CHARGED WITH ANY THING. At Sixty Pounds per annum, and in the Classes next above it, he is to pay only 1-120th part, or Two-pence in the Pound, which will amount, on an Income of Sixty Pounds, to Ten Shillings, to be paid by instalment in the course of a whole year. If the Income is greater, the possessor is entitled to a less Abatement in proportion. Those worth One Hundred Pounds per annum, are however in no case to pay more than 1-40th part, that is, Sixpence in the Pound, which, at that rate of Income, will amount to Two Pounds Ten Shillings. Those worth 150l. per annum, are to pay 1-20th part, or One Shilling in the Pound, which, on an Income to that amount, would be Seven Pounds Ten Shillings. Those worth 2001. per annum are entitled to such an Abatement as will reduce the additional Sum to no more than 1-10th of their Income.

No

No person worth more than 2001. per annum is entitled to any Abatement below one-tenth of whatever may be his Income; and no one is required to pay more,

To this Abatement any Householder (whose Income comes within the limits prescribed) will be entitled, on declaring upon Oath before the Vestry or Commissioners appointed in each Parish, that his Income does not exceed such a sum. These Commissioners will in no case bave any power to increase his Charge beyond the proportion estimated on his Assessment; but they are bound, in all cases, to reduce it in the proportion before stated, to his Income; and this upon his own declaration of what his Income does not exceed, without any statement of its precise amount, or any disclosure of the particulars of his situation. The only exception in the Bill in this respect is, if the Parochial Commissioners should in any instance think it necessary to appeal to the General Commissioners for the County.

It certainly may be expected, that this simple Statement would be sufficient to prove how much attention has been employed in framing this Plan, to prevent its pressure on those who could least bear it. A new ground however has recently been started, in order if possible to counteract the impression which these Facts must produce. The attention of the Public is called to the List of those who in different Parishes are unable to contribute to the Poor's Rates, without some relief either in the time or the amount of their Payments. That in the Auctuation of human affairs, there must occur in every populous place some instances of this description, is and always must be true. But the persons to whom this parochial relief is given with respect to the Parish Rates, are for the most part exempted wholly from the present

Tax. Before any use can be made of this observation, for the purpose for which it is urged, it must be shown what the persons so relieved from the Poor's Rates pay to the Assessed Taxes, and what proportion of them are. possessed of an Income above 60l. per annum. The argument is stated as if it proved a general inability to pay, in those who are to be charged. It applies, in fact, hardly to any but those who are exempted.

Failing in all means of proving that the measure now proposed presses directly on the least opulent part of Society, the Opposers of the Plan have tried their ingenuity in attempting to prove that it will ruin them indirectly. This, as they think, they prove by saying, that a large Tax, taken from Annual Income, must affect the Expenditure of the Individuals who pay it, and by diminishing consumption, reduce the demand for every article now supplied by those who subsist on their industry. Our first answer.is, that if this were true, it is an argument not against this particular Plan, but against all Plans for raising a large proportion of the Supplies within the year. The question then will not be, whether the Sum can be raised without difficulty, or whether this is the best mode; but whether it ought to be raised at all? In deciding this question, we only hope it will be recollected, that if we do not raise it ourselves for our own defence, the French (if they invade us) will probably raise five times its amount as our immediate Ransom, and then leave their generous Friends here to raise ten or a hundred times more by Universal Plunder. Our next answer is, that there is not the smallest ground to suppose any diminution in the consumption or use of Articles of Production and Manufacture (by the sale of which Retail Dealers are supported) in any proportion to the

amount

amount of a Contribution like that now proposed. If that Contribution is drawn from the Purse of Individuals of different descriptions, it does not remain stagnantit is again issued for Public Services, to various persons; finds its way again into circulation, and maintains a demand and a consumption, perhaps very little less than that which it would have produced if the Tax had never existed. Perhaps the only way in which consumption is likely to be materially affected is, if too large a Sum is taken at once from any particular order, and especially if (under the pretence of relieving the Poor) the burden is disproportionably and unreasonably accumulated on the

Rich.

WEEKLY EXAMINER.

LIES.

"THE new Plan of Requisition strikes more fatally at Male Ser"vants than at any other description. By the peculiarity of our "climate, our habits, and our spirit of ostentation, which has be66 come naturalized in this Island, almost every family of the "middle order has a Man Servant; wherever that is the case, the "Requisition is to be tripled, so that A FAMILY will have to pay "FIFTEEN OF TWENTY POUNDS for the mere right of keeping a MALK 66 SERVANT."-Morning Chronicle, and Star, Dec. 8.

The charge would amount to only 41. 10s.-Vide Kearsley.

"One of the principal Tax-gatherers of St. James's Parish waited "upon the Minister last Saturday, to state no less than sixty-five "levies of distress in that District, during the course of only

one week. The honest fellow endeavoured, though vainly, to "ground his appeal to the feelings of Mr. PITT."-Morning Chrenicle, Saturday, Dec. 9.

Very circumstantial! but a Lie nevertheless.

"We

"We were long stunned by the Ministry with the assertion, that "we were fighting for the preservation of Religion and Social "Order; and now, we are given to understand, that one of the "principal objects of contest is a Feather."-Morn. Chron. Dec. 6.

This is a repetition of the pitiful Falsehood we noticed in our Second Number. Are the Party become Bankrupts in Invention as well as Truth, that they cannot vary their Attacks? Surely it was of such the Poet

wrote

"Who shames a scribbler? break one cobweb through, "He spins the slight, self-pleasing thread anew; "Destroy his fib, or sophistry, in vain,

"The creature's at his dirty work again."

We congratulate The Morning Chronicle, however, on its having discovered that Tea does not grow in the West Indies.

MISREPRESENTATIONS.

"YESTERDAY Lord DUNCAN, accompanied by the Marquis of SA"LISBURY, attended at the Admiralty to consult with Earl SPEN"CER and the Board, what number of Seamen are to attend the "Royal Procession to St. Paul's. We understand that the Noble "Admiral is not permitted to go to Scotland to see his Family un"til after this Frencbified Farce."-Morn. Chron. Dec. 9, 1797.

Depraved indeed must be that mind, to which His MAJESTY'S Proclamation for a solemn Thanksgiving, and the object of that Proclamation, retrace the objects or the ceremonies of the Revolutionary Festivals of France.

Are we on the 19th inst. to prostrate ourselves before the Goddess of Reason? Are we to celebrate the Progress of Infidelity, or the Triumph of Philosophy and Jacobinism,