THE LAST NEW PROJECT.
Mr. BUCKINGHAM has published a pamphlet in behalf of a pro- ject of peculiar brilliancy and splendour : he proposes, in lieu of all other taxes whatever, to raise a tax of eighty millions pounds SteOing, by ;wax of a tax on rank. A duke, for the sake of being a duke, is to pity 30,0001. per annum, and any person who chooses to pay that sum may be a duke ; other ranks to pay proportionably; and,any one is entitled to enrol himself in any rank he pleases,pro- vided he pay the penalty. It is needless to point out to perstms of ordinary penetration, that Mr. BUCKINGHAM.S great tax palace is built in the sand. His plan would have simply the effect of annihilating rank and the revenue at a stroke. The distinction on which the tax is founded would cease. A duke would be a rare article under the new financial scheme, and the title he another name for victim or laughingstock, according as the assumption of it was obligatory or voluntary—a man would as soon be tied to a stake as called his grace.
We are advocates for a general property-tax, which should cover all (or at least many) other taxes, and satisfy the wants of the country—but it must be raised on something substantial as pro- perty: to attempt to raise a revenue on an arbitrary distinction, is like trying to make soap-bubbles carry weights.
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