lantern-tax

Updated: May 5, 2025

The gaols were ordered to be levelled to the ground criminals to be pardoned the sword of justice to remain in its scabbard the bastinado to be discontinued. Even the odious lantern-tax was taken off, in honour of the peerless Chaoukeun, whose praises were celebrated by all the poets of the country, until they were too hoarse to sing, and the people too tired to listen to them.

Frederick Marryat - The Pacha of Many Tales