four hundred and sixty-one casks, and eighty-five thousand seven
hundred and twenty-seven firkins of butter? And what hands were
employed in this manufacture?

149. Qu. Whether a foreigner could imagine that one half of the
people were starving, in a country which sent out such plenty of
provisions?

150. Qu. Whether an Irish lady, set out with French silks and
Flanders lace, may not be said to consume more beef and butter than
a hundred of our labouring peasants?

151. Qu. Whether nine-tenths of our foreign trade be not carried on
singly to support the article of vanity?

152. Qu. Whether it can be hoped that private persons will not
indulge this folly, unless restrained by the public?

153. Qu. How vanity is maintained in other countries? Whether in
Hungary, for instance, a proud nobility are not subsisted with small
imports from abroad?

154. Qu. Whether there be a prouder people upon earth than the noble
Venetians, although they all wear plain black clothes?

155. Qu. Whether a people are to be pitied that will not sacrifice
their little particular vanities to the public. good? And yet,
whether each part would not except their own foible from this public
sacrifice, the squire his bottle, the lady her lace?