h their own growth?

163. Qu. If we imported neither claret from France, nor fir from
Norway, what the nation would save by it?

164. Qu. When the root yieldeth insufficient nourishment, whether
men do not top the tree to make the lower branches thrive?

165. Qu. Whether, if our ladies drank sage or balm tea out of Irish
ware, it would be an insupportable national calamity?

166. Qu. Whether it be really true that such wine is best as most
encourages drinking, i.e., that must be given in the largest dose to
produce its effect? And whether this holds with regard to any other
medicine?

167. Qu. Whether that trade should not be accounted most pernicious
wherein the balance is most against us? And whether this be not the
trade with France?

168. Qu. Whether it be not even madness to encourage trade with a
nation that takes nothing of our manufacture?

169. Qu. Whether Ireland can hope to thrive if the major part of her
patriots shall be found in the French interest?

170. Qu. Why, if a bribe by the palate or the purse be in effect the
same thing, they should not be alike infamous?

171. Qu. Whether the vanity and luxury of a few ought to stand in
competition with the interest of a nation?

172. Qu. Whether national wants ought not to be the rule of trade?
And whether the most pressing wants of the majority ought not to be
first consider'd?

173. Qu. Whether it is possible the country should be well improved,
while our beef is exported, and our labourers live upon potatoes?

174. Qu. If it be resolved that we cannot do without foreign trade,
whether, at least, it may not be worth while to consider what
branches thereof deserve to be entertained, and how far we may be
able to carry it on under our present limitations?

175. Qu. What foreign imports may be necessary for clothing and
feeding the families of persons not worth above one hundred pounds a
year? And how many wealthier there are in the kingdom, and what
proportion they bear to the other inhabitants?

176. Qu. Whether trade be not then on a right foot, when foreign
commodities are imported in exchange only for domestic superfluities?

177. Qu. Whether the quantities of beef, butter, wool, and leather,
exported from this island, can be reckoned the superfluities of a
country, where there are so many natives naked and famished?

178. Qu. Whether it would not be wise so to order our trade as to
export manufactures rather than provisions, and of those