329 
Additional Tax for the Current Service . 
LETTER XXIII. 
To the fame, 
M A D A M, 
T HOSE whofe minds are formed to a relifh of the great 
concerns of life, fuch as regard the welfare of mankind, 
or the happinefs of their fellow fubjefts, will ever attend to the 
political ftate of their country : but to make fuch fpeculations 
conducive to the end propofed, we mud: bring them home, and 
adapt them to particular times and circumftances ; and fuppo- 
fing they happen to be of no fignification to the public, it can- 
not be faid the time is totally loft. If men of the greated: pro- 
bity and experience are often divided in their opinions, thofe 
who have not fuch opportunities of knowledge, may be eafily 
acquitted, if, in their honed: refearches, they midake the true 
intered: of their country. Politicians, like other men, often 
take principles for granted, which are not true, and confe- 
quently the whole fabric of reafoning which is built on them 
falls to the ground. Scriblers of every denomination are apt 
to grow enamoured of their own thoughts, and blind to the 
defe&s of them ; but the native integrity of the mind ever leads 
us to desire, if not to practice, what we think is good. 
Men of probity as well as knaves ; in private, as well as in 
public life, will be intruding their thoughts upon us : and we 
are more indebted for our freedom, to the liberty of the press, 
which honest writers fupport, and knavish ones often abufe, 
than almod to any other circumdance. Nor are we to con- 
demn hadiJy : every day’s experience proves, that things which 
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