
World only to watch and govern its Motion: And as to the Difference of Brains in
Quantity or Quality, among those who are Directors in Faction; the Doctor
assured us from his own Knowledge, that it was a perfect Trifle.
    I heard a very warm Debate between two Professors, about the most commodious
and effectual Ways and Means of raising Money without grieving the Subject. The
first affirmed, the justest Method would be to lay a certain Tax upon Vices and
Folly; and the Sum fixed upon every Man, to be rated after the fairest Manner by
a Jury of his Neighbours. The second was of an Opinion directly contrary; to tax
those Qualities of Body and Mind for which Men chiefly value themselves; the
Rate to be more or less according to the Degrees of excelling; the Decision
whereof should be left entirely to their own Breast. The highest Tax was upon
Men, who are the greatest Favourites of the other Sex; and the Assessments
according to the Number and Natures of the Favours they have received; for which
they are allowed to be their own Vouchers. Wit, Valour, and Politeness were
likewise proposed to be largely taxed, and collected in the same Manner, by
every Person giving his own Word for the Quantum of what he possessed. But, as
to Honour, Justice, Wisdom and Learning, they should not be taxed at all;
because, they are Qualifications of so singular a Kind, that no Man will either
allow them in his Neighbour, or value them in himself.
    The Women were proposed to be taxed according to their Beauty and Skill in
Dressing; wherein they had the same Privilege with the Men, to be determined by
their own Judgment. But Constancy, Chastity, good Sense, and good Nature were
not rated, because they would not bear the Charge of Collecting.
    To keep Senators in the Interest of the Crown, it was proposed that the
Members should raffle for Employments; every Man first taking an Oath, and
giving Security that he would vote for the Court, whether he won or no; after
which the Losers had in their Turn the Liberty of raffling upon the next
Vacancy. Thus, Hope and Expectation would be kept alive; none would complain of
broken Promises, but impute their Disappointments wholly to Fortune, whose
Shoulders are broader and stronger than those of a Ministry.
    Another Professor shewed me a large Paper of Instructions for discovering
Plots and Conspiracies against the Government. He advised great Statesmen to
examine into the Dyet of all suspected Persons; their Times of eating; upon
which Side they lay in Bed; with which Hand they wiped their
