| Citation |
NHG-P.767.026
3 Apr 1767:23,31 (548)
Rare News for Old England. If the information be true, our
great folks are going immediately to reform themselves for
the benefit of the poor, and the thousands who are at this
very time almost perishing for want in the different parts
of the Kingdom. The nobility and gentry, wisely and humanely
considering in what luxury they live; how foolishly they
idle away their time; how indiscreetly they encourage
idleness and debauchery; what sums of money they expend on
mistresses, dogs and horses; on Italian, French, and Jewish
commodities; in gaming, eating, drinking, and perfumes; are
resolved, to act the very reverse [ ] for the future.
They will begin by first paying off their just debts, that
the tradesmen they employ may be able in turn to pay theirs,
and keep themselves and families out of goal. They are
determined for the future, to discharge their bills
regularly every quarter, that the tradesmen may think it an
honor to serve them. They have agreed among themselves to
be fully satisfied with the diversions of the play house,
and do not intend going to any operas, assemblies, concerts,
or other expensive entertainments during the whole winter.
They are greatly concerned that an Italian singer should be
paid fifty pounds a night, when one hundred pounds a week
would comfortably support 200 honest industrious Englishmen.
Horse races and cock fighting are to be totally abolished,
as the keeping of race horses is an infernal expence; and [
] both these diversions are in themselves quite diabolical;
the tortures these animals are put to, being the highest
reflection on humanity, and the end being of the most
dishonourable nature, and the total destruction of fortune,
families, and all peace of mind.
It is also resolved to discard all foreigners from the
service of our truely English nobility and gentry. French
valets, fiddlers, cooks, ladies French women, friseurs, &c.
will be directly shipped off for West Florida, where they
will be allowed each of them some hundred acres of land.
French wines, French cloths, French cordials, French
laces, and French pills, will never more be in fashion: the
shop in Soho square will be shut up, and preference will be
given to every kind of English commodity.
The same sum of money commonly subscribed to the
winter's diversions will be collected and deposited in the
hands of the bankers for the relief of the industrious and
indigent; and it is assured great pains will be taken to
restore the old English hospitality; a deal of beef and
pudding will be given away, and those who can afford it will
keep open house this Christmas.
Erasmus. November 25, 1766.
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