LETTERS ON POLITICS 597

which is protected, and every way injurious, in its effects on other branches of commerce.¹

§ 6. I say all protection by import duties, for there are other means of encouraging the energies and developing the resources of a country, which it may often be in the power, and must then always be the duty, of its Government to adopt. But, still more definitely, excise duties may be made the means of discouragement of injurious and ruinous branches of industry, and at the same time a relief from the pressure of direct taxation. I am no republican, but it does not need republican prejudices to perceive the truth written in fiery letters on the last pages of all histories, that the luxury of the richer classes is, in nine cases out of ten, the cause of the downfall of kingdoms, at once undermining the moral strength of those classes themselves, and provoking the envy and cupidity of the door. It is therefore the duty of every Government to prevent, as far as possible, the unreasonable luxury of the rich, and if it cannot prevent it, to maintain itself by it. There is justice in this as well as prudence. The man by whom the existing state of things is most enjoyed, may justly be called upon to pay most for its maintenance, and the man who by his luxury increases the perils of a Government, may justly be required to contribute largely to its resources.

§ 7. Abolishing therefore all import and export duties whatsoever, let heavy taxes be laid either on the sale or the possession of all articles which tend to enervate the moral strength of the people, or to minister to its indolent pleasure; considering such taxes rather as educational than fiscal, rather as fines than sources of revenue, and regulating their distribution with a view rather to their effect on the character of the people than on the prosperity of the exchequer. I do not here enter into details, but it is evident

¹ [Compare Stones of Venice, vol. iii. (Vol. XI. pp. 197-198), where Ruskin gives as an instance of the world being still in its childhood, “that no nation dares abolish its custom-houses,” and Unto this Last, § 53.]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]