Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/183

 proud Beggars, and, lastly, I thank God, to provide employment for 300 useful artisans and labourers without profit to myself. The last sort are "Political Arithmetick;" and the "Political Anatomy of Ireland;" whereupon I think depends the Political Medicine of that country; and these things too without passion or interest, faction or party; but as I think according to the Eternal Laws and Measures of Truth. As for complaints, the Poor ever complained against the Rich; one endeavoured to cheat or oppress the other; and those out of power did ever find fault with those that are arm'd with it. Trading was ever dead among the Lazy and Ignorant; nor is it any more than good luck for the Ingenious and Industrious to thrive, or for the Innocent to be punished as malefactors. But if you would have me pitch upon the partialitys which may diminish our grievances in Ireland, I shall shortly do it as well as I can; and, I hope, without reflection on any person in power or envy of his preferment; altho' I do not think that shifty and transient expedients, or any gratifying of humours or opinions, can produce any permanent advantage; for I ever fear'd the Act of Settlement (how much I own it ought to be preserved) not to have been built upon so firm ground, as ought to have been had at the price.'

As already seen, the house which he had erected in Lothbury had been totally destroyed in the Great Fire. The disaster was serious, but never perhaps did the elasticity of his mind come out more strongly. No sooner was he aware of the extent of his losses than he set to work to repair them. He at once addressed a paper of inquiries from Dublin to Captain Graunt, in order to ascertain the plan proposed for the restoration of the City. 'What,' he inquires, 'do the several parties give as the provocation of God unto this vengeance on London; and to what action or motion does this providence incline them? ' He soon had made up his own mind on what he intended to do himself. 'I intend,' he said, replying to his own inquiry, 'God willing, to introduce the use of brick into the city; for I find that a sixth part more housing may be built upon my ground, than with stone, and at less charge.'