HISTORY Of MALTA-

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On the Finances of the Order. General Observations on the Science ofFinance. Meaning of Deficit. Origin of Loans. Venerable Chamberof the common Treasury ; in what Manner composed ; its Functions ;Arrangement of the Accounts ; general Receipt; Explanation of theArticles which compose it. The annual Produce, on an Average often Years. Contingent of each Language. Income of different Foun-dations fallen into the Treasury ; their Amount, and how employed.Explanation of the Articles which form the general Expences of theOrder; their annual Amount, on an Average of ten Years. A Com-parison between the Balance of the Treasury in April, 1779 , andApril, 1789 . A Table of Receipts and Expences.

The science of finance was never carried to so high a pointof perfection, nor studied with so much attention, as in thelast century. The expences of all the different powers ex-ceeding their revenues, it was necessary to devise some methodto supply the void in the sovereign's coffers. This void istermed deficit; and those ministers who were most skilled inthe art of procuring money were regarded as the most able,and the only ones, indeed, whom a prince was desirous of re-taining in his service. This necessity gave rise to what iscalled the science of finance; the knowledge of which raises anation to the height of glory, while ignorance of it plunges itinto an abyss.of misery.

Such repeated want of money made it necessary to borrow,by way of loan; consequently, to establish a certain degree pf