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To what extent, or in what manner, it may be proper to preſs further retrenchments, the Author has not the remoteſt intention of offering aim opinion: his view has been clearly explained and he truſts the ſtatements will bring to the recollection of his readers what has been done for the attainment of objects of high importance, and of deep intereſt to the public, by ſhewing the preſent ſtate of patronage and influence, compared with what it was in antecedent periods which have been ſpoken of as "good times" about which he is perſuaded much miſconception prevails at this day, even among reaſonable and candid men. The opinion already alluded to, as prevailing to a certain extent, that if ſinecures and penſions were entirely ſuppreſſed, the burthens of the country would be inſtantly lightened to a great amount, and by ſome entertained, that they would, in that caſe, be removed altogether, renders it neceſſary that a compariſon ſhould be made of the before-mentioned total, large as it is, with the amount of the taxes raiſed upon the people.
The whole revenue of Great Britain is more than 60,000,000l. a-year; the charge on which,
