said, says I, "We can get the eggs from
Washington for nothing; then we can have the stands in the attic, and
there's the osage-orange hedge, that does nothing in the world but
keep the boys from stealing apples, and we have no apples to steal;
the children can feed them, so that the total cost will be nothing. We
can sell the cocoons at $1.50 a pound; and suppose we raise five
hundred pounds only the first season; there's $750, which is
absolutely clear profit, the whole of it. We can then buy a carriage,
and we will give a ball, and 'ye shall walk in silk attire.'"

Mrs. W. turned up her nose. In using that expression, I do not mean
that she actually inverted that feature of her countenance, but the
expression of her face indicated the idea which usually finds
utterance in the word 'Rats.' At this point I took occasion to explain
to Mrs. W. the relations of this most beautiful and fascinating
industry to the principles of political economy. My amiable lady had
frequently said it was all "bosh;" that to try to raise silk in this
country was mere gammon. I explained to her that her position, as a
philosophical proposition, would be true, were it not for the
fostering care of a paternal government, which had inaugurated the
American system of protection. That this great principle of protection
was the source of our national wealth, that the tariff on silk was
sixty per cent, and----

"Tariff!" inquired Mrs. W., "what is tariff?"

"Tariff, my dear," said I, "I am surprised. I had supposed that such
an intellect as yours would have familiarized itself with the great
economic questions of the day." But I did not wish to be too severe
with her, as I remembered that the sphere of woman did not bring her
into contact with these rugged issues that are the theme of
philosophers and statesmen; so I explained briefly, but still kindly:

"My dear, a tariff is a tax paid by the importer."

To this she made the very singular reply: "But how is taxing a people
going to make them rich, and be the source of national wealth? I know
when tax day comes around, you are always groaning and saying that it
keeps your nose flat on the grindstone, to raise money enough to pay
your taxes." I told her she still failed to see the point, as she was
referring to mere state taxes, while I, upon a higher plane, was
viewing the comprehensive bearings of national institutions.

"W.," she said, "you don't know any more about it than Horace Greeley