SEVERAL REASONS Humbly offered to consideration, why a Pound Rate, for Paving the Streets of the City of LONDON, should not be imposed upon the Inhabitants thereof.  
I. EVery Man, being compellable to pave his own door, is free to do it( when ever defective) without complaining, and no Man, after warning, refuses or neglects, for fear of incurring a greater damage than the Charge amounts unto.  
II. Any Man may pave his own door at a less charge, then it will cost the Commissioners; the Paviors making great waste of Stones, and gravel, and slighting the Work,( when done upon a public account) and putting in soft Stones, which being done at a wet Sea●on, quickly turn to dirt: One reason whereof is, their not being duly paid, or being forced to give large gratuities to get their money, when the work is done.  
III. If a Man paves his own door( his interest inducing him thereunto) he buys the best Materials, and takes the best Season, as soon as need requires, which renders the charge much less than it would be, if longer neglected.  
IV. If but four pence per pound be charged upon the yearly rents, it is supposed it will raise a far greater Sum than the whole Paveing will cost to be well done. And if six pence per pound( as some design) it will further increase the charge; in many places five times more than need, to the great damage of the Inhabitants.  
V. It appears to be so remote from public good, that it tather looks like an oppressive Monopoly to enrich the designed Undertakers, their Friends, Clerks, and Servants employed under them; who( being corrupted) for their greater profit, may wholly neglect or retard the amendments to the prejudice of Trade.  
VI. It seems very unreasonable, that Courts or Allies, paved with Free-stone( at the great chatge of the Builders) made to last twenty or thirty years, with little or no amendment, should have a rent charge entailed upon them, contrary to former usages and customs.  
VII. It will be a great discouragement to the present Tenants( the first of whom( building being dear) pay too great Rents) to have a further continued Imposition laid upon them; and will obstruct the letting Empty Houses, or cause the fall of their expected Rents, to the great prejudice of Landlords.  
VIII. Since the public Paveing many Streets have lain so ruinous, as to endanger men and horses; which, with other great taxes upon the City( more than upon the out parts) hath hindered many of its former Inhabitants from returning, and caused divers after their return and settling at a great charge, to return back( leaving their houses empty) to prevent their utter ruin.