338 Means of raifing an additional 'Tax for the Current Service . 
a very good capacity of paying three or four millions annually, 
for two or three years fucceflively, without any burthen ; and 
the moiety taken in time, may anfwer a better purpofe than a 
greater portion of it, when we are prefled hard. By taking only 
half the quantity, pieces of plate of the mod codly workman- 
ftiip may be preferved to the lad, and thus we may make pro- 
viflon even for thofe who have a fondnefs for toys, ’till, being 
weaned by degrees, we may at length refolve to look to the 
main chance, and not regard any minute conflderation. 
If it pleafes heaven to chaftife us with the calamities of war 
for more than three or four years, which I trud it will not, we 
mull extend our calculation ; but when you conflder ferioufly 
what the dangers of war are, let it be ever fo well conducted, 
you will agree with me in opinion upon the fubjeCt of coining 
plate, which I have already mentioned in my xm th letter. 
Surely nothing will afford a dronger proof of a puerile fond- 
nefs of baubles, compared with the importance of the objects 
in quedion ; nor will any thing give a clearer demondration 
that we are infatuated, than being repugnant to coin our 
plate, fhould a vigorous profecution of war require it. And 
why may not the ingenious manufacturer of glafs or porcelain 
take his turn in furnifliing utenfils for the elegance and parade 
of the mod fplendid table ? Silver has the pre-eminence only 
from its intrinflc value ; and the time I apprehend is near, 
when it may be neceffary to fliow it has a value fuperior to 
glafs or porcelain. We may change the form of many a mafly 
heap, and yet not darve the fllverfmith : we may garnifli glafs, 
porcelain, or ebony, with diver, and keep the ingenious frnith at 
work : 
