Introduction
In 1796, a proposal went before Parliament to tax dogs, partly as a rebuke to rich sportsmen, and partly because it was felt that the poor were frittering away their income support on dog-food. Windham was not much bothered about the rich sportsmen, but he leapt to the defence of the poor man and his lurcher.
IT was unworthy [said Mr Windham] of this or any other country, to levy a rate on any animal, because that animal was not employed in tilling ground, or because the poor might feed on dogs’ provisions.* It appeared as if there was not room enough on earth for men and dogs.
Some dogs are retained by the poor as implements of trade, and the Legislature ought not to tax the industry, but the expenditure, of the people. Some were retained for their companionable qualities; if the rich man feels a partiality for a dog, what must a poor man do, who has so few amusements? A dog is a companion of his laborious hours; and when he is bereft of his wife and children, fills up the dreary vacuity.
It would be cruel and impolitic to pass such a law; it is a sort of law, from which every man would revolt. The dog is a companion to a solitary man, and to a man with a family a play-fellow for his children.*
As reported, abridged
That is, because the poor were spending money on feeding their dogs instead of themselves. Windham pointed out, first, that the food given to dogs was not generally fit for human consumption, and had to be disposed of somehow; second, that such sacrifices were a testimony to man’s affection for his pets; and third, that if dogs were taxed, people wouldn’t abandon their pets, they would register for income support.
The Bill was thrown out ‘without a division’, i.e. without even bothering to take a formal vote. It was opposed also by the Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger (PM from 1873-1801).
Précis
In 1796, a Bill was laid before Parliament proposing to tax dogs. William Windham MP rose to oppose it, arguing that the tax would hit the poor the hardest, as their dogs were not merely for sport, but for work or companionship in what could be a very empty existence. The Bill was comprehensively defeated. (55 / 60 words)
In 1796, a Bill was laid before Parliament proposing to tax dogs. William Windham MP rose to oppose it, arguing that the tax would hit the poor the hardest, as their dogs were not merely for sport, but for work or companionship in what could be a very empty existence. The Bill was comprehensively defeated.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, because, besides, if, may, ought, whereas, whether.
Archive
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Cruel. Dog. Other.
2 Every. He. Quality.
3 Because. Country. Rate.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
plt (9+1)
palate. pelt. pilot. plait. plate. plateau. pleat. plot. polite.
epaulet.
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