Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 9.djvu/273

Rh death: and this will bring the matter sooner to bear; which if the crown shall think fit to countenance, will soon change the present set of bishops; and consequently encourage purchasers of their lands. For example: if a primate should die, and the gradation be wisely made, almost the whole set of bishops might be changed in a month each to his great advantage, although no fines were to be got, and thereby save a great part of that sum which I have appropriated toward supplying the deficiency of fines.

I have valued the bishops lands two years purchase above the usual computed rate, because those lands will have a sanction from the king and council in England, and be confirmed by an act of parliament here: besides, it is well known, that higher prices are given every day for worse lands, at the remotest distances, and at rack rents, which I take to be occasioned by want of trade: when there are few borrowers, and the little money in private hands lying dead, there is no other way to dispose of it but in buying of land; which consequently makes the owners hold it so high.

Besides paying the nation's debts, the sale of these lands, would have many other good effects upon the nation. It will considerably increase the number of gentry, where the bishops tenants are able or willing to purchase; for the lands will afford a hundred gentlemen a good revenue to each: several persons from England, will probably be glad to come over hither, and be the buyers, rather than give thirty years purchase at home, under the loads of taxes for the publick and the poor, as well as repairs; by which means much money may be brought among us; and probably some of the purchasers themselves may S 4