payment of no taxes, but such as are levied by our own consent, form a pretty arrangement of words and ideas; but, strictly speaking, the fact is seldom really so. No man pays a tax with his own con|sent, that is, he would rather not pay it, if he could refuse with honour and safety. The payment of taxes is always attended with some reluctance of mind, and often with open murmurings and com|plaints, either as to the time, purpose, or propor|tion of the tax. The case is quite otherwise when money is taken from us by the strong hand of ar|bitrary power: all reasoning, all deliberation is out of the question—we have nothing to do but pay—and so the mind is saved a deal of trouble and vexation. This paying may, indeed, have a ten|dency to poverty—and so much the better; for poverty incites industry, and industry is the mother of health and contentment.TO illustrate my meaning by a familiar instance: suppose a traveller meets a friend on the road, who requests him to give or lend him a small sum of money for a present purpose: the traveller he|sitates; he cannot decently refuse; and yet he would rather the request had not been made: in this conflict his mind suffers no small anxie|ty. But should a highwayman present a pistol to his breast, and with oaths and imprecations de|mand 0