A Stiptick for a Bleeding Nation

In the wake of the South Sea crisis, a fiery pamphlet emerges from the streets of 1721 London, demanding a cure for a nation whose coffers run dry. Its author paints a stark picture of pride, luxury, bribery and corruption as the twin engines of ruin, and calls on honest citizens to replace them with piety, industry and frugality. The voice is urgent yet reasoned, urging readers to confront the greed that has hollowed out public credit.

The work lays out a concrete plan: tighten oversight of corporations, separate profit‑seeking gamblers from responsible investors, and revive domestic industries such as iron, hemp and tar. It proposes a fresh arrangement for the South Sea Company, a transparent ledger of debts, and a system of modest interest to rebuild trust. Listeners will discover a vivid snapshot of early modern economic debate, where moral philosophy and practical finance collide in a plea to rescue the public purse.