A Tax on Companionship
William Windham MP was appalled at the idea of levying a tax on man’s best friend.
1796
King George III 1760-1820
William Windham MP was appalled at the idea of levying a tax on man’s best friend.
1796
King George III 1760-1820
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.
As reported, abridged
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).
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
What did the Bill before Parliament propose?
That all dog owners should be taxed.
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.
Parliament should not tax the industry of the people. It should tax only the expenditure of the people.