rowers in the country. This will, in good part, raise the price of land, because land purchased at sixteen years' purchase will yield six in the hundred, and somewhat more; whereas this rate of interest yields but five. This by like reason will encourage and edge industrious and profitable improvements; because many will rather venture in that kind than take five in the hundred, especially having been used to greater profit. Secondly, let there be certain persons licensed to lend to known merchants upon usury at a higher rate; and let it be with the cautions following. Let the rate be, even with the merchant himself, somewhat more easy than that he used formerly to pay; for by that means all borrowers shall have some ease by this reformation, be he merchant, or whosoever. Let it be no bank or common stock, but every man be master of his own money. Not that I altogether mislike[1] banks, but they will hardly be brooked, in regard[2] of certain suspicions. Let the state be answered[3] some small matter for the licence, and the rest left to the lender; for if the abatement be but small, it will no whit discourage the lender. For he, for example, that took before ten or nine in the hundred, will sooner descend to eight in the hundred, than give over his trade of usury, and go from certain gains to gains
- ↑ Mislike. To dislike; to disapprove of.
"Mislike me not for my complexion."
Shakspere. The Merchant of Venice. ii. 1.
- ↑ In regard 'of' or 'to.' Out of consideration for.
"I thank my liege that in regard of me
He shortens four years of my son's exile."
Shakspere. King Richard II. i. 3.
- ↑ Answer. To repay; to pay.
