Imatges de pàgina
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find their work well done, and increase their riches. But if a master, or his overseer, be careless, and at the same time has the power of rewarding and punishing those under his direction, and, when he views his workmen, does not make them sensible, either one way or other, of his authority; whenever he comes, or goes, it is the same thing to them; they work or play at their discretion. Such a one is very little worth the regard of any man: but the man who ought to be admired and valued, is he, who, when he comes among his servants, creates in them a pleasant countenance, and makes them rejoice, every one running or striving in their business to serve him, and using all ways to get his praise and love. Such a man as this is worthy the rank of a king. A master of any science, as well as husbandry,

who has good sense enough to bring his family to such affection toward him, and good order, he does not possess this by learning only, but he must receive his good nature and wisdom from the gods; he must be born with a generous nature, which must proceed from the gods; for I have never yet found the true gift of government, but it was attended with generosity. Where these excellent qualities appear, all under that direction are willing to obey, and especially if the power of rule be in the hands of those who are endowed with virtue and temperance: but where a master exercises himself in cruelty, or acts in a tyrannical way, against the good-will and reason of mankind, he can never hope for the least ease or comfort."

DISCOURSE

UPON

IMPROVING THE REVENUE OF THE STATE

OF

ATHENS.

TRANSLATED

BY WALTER MOYLE, Esq.

A

DISCOURSE

UPON

IMPROVING THE REVENUE OF THE STATE

OF

ATHEN S.

I ALWAYS held it for a certain maxim, that go-
vernments resembled their governors, and that
the prosperity or declension, the vigour or de-
cay of all states, was derived from the virtues
and vices, the abilities or weakness of their
rulers but since it is generally alleged in vin-
dication of the Athenian ministry, that they un-bours would be quieted.
derstand the common principles of justice as well
as the rest of mankind, but that they are com-
pelled by the necessities' of the common people
to oppress their confederate cities with unrea-
sonable tributes and taxes: I have attempted
to examine whether this apology is well ground-
ed, and whether they are not capable by native
riches, and revenue of the state of Athens, to

| maintain the whole body of our people, which
is the justest and most honourable provision
can be thought of for I imagine if such a de-
sign could be compassed, that the wants of
the people would be more effectually relieved,
and the jealousies and suspicions of our neigh-

1 Διὰ δὲ τὴν τοῦ πλήθους πενίαν. The state of Athens was at a great charge in maintaining the common people. They were allowed three oboli a man for every cause they judged; and this pension was called the τριώβολον δικαστικον : Lucian in bis accusato. And some days many thousands received this pension.

The ignor was an allowance of two oboli a-piece, to pay for the sight of public shows. Liban in argu. Olyn. primæ.

The izzλnitize was an obolus a-piece, paid them every time they assembled, Jull. Poll. 1. 6. c. 9; and this pension was afterwards increased to three oboli. Besides, all maimed and disabled citizens had a pension of two oboli a day. Harpocrat. in verbo doratos.

2 Xenophon says only spi ràs módus, but the word ovuμaxídas is plainly understood, as appears from the sequel of this discourse, and Xenophon's treatise of the government of Athens. This tax upon the confederates was at first but 460 talents, but it was afterwards advanced to 1300. Plutarc. in vita Aristidis. This tribute was so burdensome, that it provoked the confederates to frequent revolts.

Upon a general view of the whole matter, it appeared to me that the Athenian territory is capable of affording a mighty income and revenue, the truth of which assertion may be easily evinced by a brief survey of the state and nature of the country.

The fruits of the earth, and native products of our soil, are a proof of the temperature of our climate and the mildness of our seasons; for we have plants which bear in great abundance in our country, which will never grow in others; and our sea, as well as land, abounds in all things necessary for life, or luxury: add to this, that all the blessings which the gods have made peculiar to the different seasons of the year, begin earlier, and end later with us, than in any part of the world.

Besides the vast plenty we enjoy of perishable goods, our soil affords us some staple and permanent commodities, such as our noble quarries of marble, out of which are drawn the best materials for the building and ornamenting of temples, and for the altars and statues of the gods, and which both the Greeks and barbarous nations set a high value upon.

And where the soil is too barren to receive the common improvements of husbandry, it

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