flumbers, and funk as deeply in downy beds as he; that many who are now kept within the compass of four bare walls, have rattled through the streets in carriages, as magnificent as himself.

Hz is, in the next place, to be informed, that they had THEN as good fecurity to remain in that splendour as he has now; that the fault of their breaking was in neceffity, and not in their will; particular inftances he will adduce to the contrary; but, comparatively, few, very few indeed.

He is then to be told, that ONE out of a thousand unprovided mifchances, out of a million unforeseen accidents, may, in one fatal day, reduce him to the like variety of wretchednefs. And therefore, all that I befeech and implore of any fuch man, is, to fpare from his pleasures one virtuous look into his own bofom, to make the cafe his own, and then, after afking himself the question, what a tenderness of behaviour he would imagine due from his fellowcreatures? let him be guided in his conduct by the answer his reason would give him.

How different is this honeft fpirit, from the fpirit of a cruel creditor! How is he by himself deprived even of the nature of man, when he speaks real vengeance for crimes purely imaginary, and framed by his own wild and outrageous fancy, upon the head of an innocent and wellmeaning debtor, whom unavoidable cafualty, has made infolvent, and rendered the causeless object of his wrath!

In order to have a clear idea of this matter, let us imagine we now fee what, in such a trading and populous city, we may every day behold if we will be at a little trouble for the obfervation let us, I fay, place before us fome honeft, generous and wealthy merchant, with a large, good, and happy family round him, high in the eftcem of all his neighbours, and of thofe that he deals with; to whom the news is juft arrived of all his fhips being loft; one surprised in a fudden tempeft, and fnatched away from him. in a whirlwind; a fecond dafhed to pieces against "merchant-marring rocks ;" a third ftaved and funk by water-fpouts burfting from a cloud; and the last drowned and swallowed up within fight of his own fhore, by bulging fatally on a land. Let us behold the good honeft man fupporting himfelf under this load of calamity, by the props of a heavenly refignation, ftopping the heart-breaks that gape to let out life, and would make a fhipwreck of his person too, when the tears of a dearly beloved wife, and the cries of the pledges of their loves, who, by being their children, are grown the orphans of good fortune, fwell up the ocean of his mifery, and diftraft the tide of hope.

Let us behold him ftemming a fea of troubles, ftrugling and grapling in a hurricane of fate, fweating and toiling beneath a weary life, and juft finking under the burden of heavy debts, which it is impoffible for him to discharge, otherwife than by a pious refolution to do it as foon as he is able, and to make himself able as far as his ftrongeft endeavours would let him. Let us behold him weathering through the storm for a time, with the chearfulness of a good confcience, and never fighing at his own misfortunes but when he fighs that they were the cruel caufes of those disappointments, with which he is not willing, but is forced to difoblige his creditors. And fhall we not, after placing all this fcene of unavoidable woe before our eyes, be melted into compaflion for fuch a man? And fhall we not, with uncommon wrath and indignation, rife up against any barbarous purfe-proud creditor, that breaks in roughly upon his prayers and tears, to infult his wants, and mock and aggravate his forrows; that interrupts his honeft labours and intentions to pay his debts, on purpose to make him an everlasting debtor? It is becaufe thefe creditors have the world on their fide, and the fpecious colour of infamous laws to justify their caufe. Shall they not be told that the extremity of rigour in the law is frequently the extremity of injuftice? And that it as often happens that what is nationally legal is not only not religiofly lawful, but, on the contrary, confeientioufly examined, very criminal?

In this view, and it too often happens to be a true one, the debtor is an innocent fufferer, but loaded with reproach that claims all the aid and aflistance we can bring him; and the creditor is by fo much more barbarous a villain, because, vefted with the authority of the law, he makes his power his will, without any confideration or mercy for his fellow-creature, and out of a luft of rage, profecutes, with prepenfe malice, a man for being innocently and unfortunately guilty, not of a voluntary, but of a necellary crime against him.

In this cafe not the debtor, but the creditor is the unjust man; and if ever it lies honeftly in their way to do it, all men are obliged to moderate the feverity of the law, when it is fo flagrantly inconfiftent with humanity. I must own, for my part, I would step in between fuch a ruined debtor, and fuch an enraged creditor, as foon as if I beheld a man falling from a window, breaking his own limbs, and only jostling another in his fall; I would defend him as he lay on the ground, from the rafhness of a person who would be only like the creditor, if he went

to

to ftab him as he lay helplefs on the earth, for giving him an affront which was only caused by the fame accident that made the poor creature break his limbs, and put him in danger of his life, without the additional calamity of being inhumanly butchered,

THE parallel is juft, and the cafe I have stated is the cafe of most of those debtors who are really infolvent. With refpect to those who are not really infolvent, fome further confiderations will be neceffary, when I fhall refume this subject.

Ir will, perhaps, be remarked that the particular inftance I have adduced of a merchant reduced to diftrefs, is the cafe of a very few of the infolvent debtors in this kingdom; and perBut I have no haps the remark may be juft. doubt that the cafes of at leaft two thirds of the poor wretches that now linger in prisons, if truly ftated, would prove them to be as much more honeft as they are lefs fortunate than those who fent them there. And nothing can justify a creditor depriving an honeft debtor of his liberty.

THE attaining the age of twenty one years by a Prince of Wales has generally been celebrated by the liberation of all prisoners for debt, by an act of the legislature; and it is no wonder if, previous to a period fo well known, many should voluntarily become prifoners, with an intent to defraud their creditors. Such men doubtless deferve an almoft perpetual continuance of that punishment, which they have folicited; and if they could be indentified fhould be precluded all benefit arifing from that act by which the honeft infolvent would regain his freedom.

MANY objections arise against acts of this nature which, however, may be cafily obviated by particular claufes to prevent fraud and collufion. If instead of the debt being entirely done away, the debtor was restored to liberty, on condition of repayment, according to his ability, in a given time, five years for inftance, I have no doubt but that every debtor would gladly fign an inftrument to that purpofe, and that creditors would at length be repaid thofe demands which, under common circumflances, many have little reafon to expect. I truft fome fuch mode will be adopted; that our prifons will be cleared of their prefent inhabitants; and that the community will reap benefit from the labours of those who are now deprived of their liberty and means of fubfiftence, by the operation of ridiculous laws, and the caprice of unfeeling creditors.

Nor fear rebuke, nor four displeasure,

A father's lovelieft name is friend. Some truths, from long experience flowing, 'Worth more than royal grants, receive; For truths are gifts of heaven's bestowing,

Which kings have feldom power to give.

Since, from an ancient race defcended,-
You boast an unattainted blood,

By your's be their fair fame defended,
And claim by birth-right to be good.
In love of every fellow creature,

'Superior rife above the croud:
'What most ennobles human nature,
• Was ne'er the portion of the proud.
Be thine the generous heart that borrows
From other's joys, a friendly glow;
And for each hapless neighbour's forrows,
Throbs with a fympathetic woe.

This is the temper molt endearing,

Though wide proud pomp her banner (preads; An heavenlier power, good nature bearing, Each heart in willing thraldom leads.

Tafle not of Fame's uncertain fountain,

The peace-deftroying ftreams that flow; 'Nor from Ambition's dangerous mountain 'Look down upon the world below.

• The

4

Tread where the faithlefs meteors glow,

'He'd find too late, his rashness ruing,
• That fatal quickfands lurk below.

In life, fuch bubbles nought admiring,
• Gilt with falfe light, and fill'd with air,
Do you from pageant crouds retiring,
To peace in virtue's cot repair.

'There seek the never-wafted treasure

Which mutual love and friendship give ; Domeftic comfort, fpotlefs pleafure,

And blefs'd and bleffing you shall live!

If heaven with children crown your dwelling,
As mine its bounty does with you;

• In fondness fatherly excelling,
'The example you have felt pursue !"

He paus'd, for tenderly careffing

The darling of his wounded heart, Looks had means only of expreffing Thoughts language never could impart ! Now night her fable mantle fpreading,

Had robed with black the horizon round; And dank dew from her treffes fhedding,

With genial moisture bath'd the ground:

When back to city follies flying,

'Midft cuftom's flaves he liv'd refign'd; His face, array'd in fmiles, denying

The true complexion of his mind.

For feriously around furveying

Each character in youth and age;
Of fools betray'd, and knaves betraying,
That play'd upon this human ftage:
Peaceful himself, and undefigning,

He loth'd the fcenes of guilt and strife;
And felt each fecret wifh inclining
To leave this fretful farce of life!
Yet to whate'er above was fated,

Obediently he bow'd his foul;

For what all bounteous heaven created,
He thought heaven only should controul!

JOHN BULL

To his friend, the NEW SPECTATOR,
Greeting:

WHEREAS, in obedience to your SPECTATORSHIP'S commands, I have, for the last ten days, made it my business to attend moft places of public refort in this metropolis, and, have been enabled to draw no other conclufion than one, made fome centuries ago by a famous writer of thofe days that there is nothing new under the fun. I am glad, however, to find that amongst the most fashionable pastimes, are to be reckoned THEATRICAL AMUSEMENTS,

which, as the flage is now tolerably chafte, and as tragedy has, in fome measure, regained her empire, may tend to improve, rather than to injure the morals of the people. It, therefore, gives me no fmall pleasure, at a well-played tragedy, on cafting my cyes round the theatre, to obferve those of others bedecked with the sympathetic pearls which indicate hearts feeling for the diftreffes of others. And my feelings, in this refpect, were amply gratified on Saturday evening, at Drury-lane Theatre, when the tragedy of

TANCRED and SIGISMUNDA

was performed, for the benefit of Mrs. Siddons, in which that lady played Sigifmunda, and Mr. Kemble Tancred, with fuch happiness of expreffion, as to leave few, if any, dry eyes in the house. It was well, indeed, that the strength of the piece rested on those two characters, for the others were but indifferently supported.The play is well got up; and Mr. Kemble and Mrs. Siddons are the only performers in London who can do juftice to Tancred and Sigifmunda.

THE

SUNDAY.-Went to church. There is fomething more than prieftcraft in religion. The lovely R. always told there was not, and she has fenfe. Mem. not to trouble myself about the matter.-Dined with the family; all chearful.Going to town, detained at Kew by a pair of bright eyes. Proves to be a Windfor milliner. A good deal of the ftarch of virtue about her. Patience.-Accompany C. to M's-Both drunkReturn home at twelve.

MONDAY. A pathetic lecture from Mater.Sorry to difoblige her, but what is life without women and wine?-Letter from R.-Curfed fick of her.-Money, money, money.-Why don't you fhe get into keeping with ****? Threatens to fhew my letters. Not fo bad as my uncle's neither.-Send her 50l. and have done with her. Try on a hunting frock.-Look well in boots and leather-breaches.-Order fix frocks of the fame fort and colour.-Write to Charles about l'argent.-Dine with uncle and aunt.— Uncle not a good judge of women.-His claret good.-Drunk.-Who can help it?-Go privately to the play.-Beft company in the two fhilling gallery.-See a girl to Water-lane -Sober.-Sup.-Drunk.-Go to bed.

TUESDAY.-Head-ach.-Determined never to be intoxicated again.-Drink strong tea,-Better. -Read a page of Voltaire's Candide.-Defcription of the fummer-house lined with mirrors, delightful.-Mem. To have one myself when I have a garden of my own; but the fofa to be light blue fattin.-Ride.---Meet R.-Well dressed;

looks like Diana, but nothing nouvelle.-Shake hands, and give her a 10l. note.-Very badly fpare it. Return.-Drefs-Charles dines with me.-Can get no cash.—Consult about ways and means. Charles a rake half reformed, and an honeft fellow.-Play billiards.-Lose 7001.His inftructions worth half the money, and his company the other half.-M. and I.. come.Drink deep.-New knee buckles come; exquifite tafte-Thefe make my bill 8751.-Order two pair more to give away.—Tea.-Burgundy. -Claret.-Mixing liquors the devil.-L. fings and throws M. and I afleep.-Sup.-Scotch ale.-Drunk.-Go to bed.

WEDNESDAY, Ride out carly.---Breakfast.--No head-ach.---Skim the papers; d---d impudent; abufe poor R.about her poverty; must do something to fet her straight.---Order a new drefs.---Letter from Mrs. C. offering her fervices.---Stick to the little milliner.---Ride with Pater.---See a distressed family; Pater gives them all his ready money. Give a guinea myfelf.--Mem. Generally cofts me fomething when I go with him.---Return.-Dress.---Hair looks vilely.---Dine with Mater.--Talk of the poor family.-Tears in her eyes.--Sends them ten guineas.---Mem. Mater the best woman living.---Sifter plays a leffon, Bach's, on the harpsichord.---Plays well five minutes, and then carelessly.---A private ball to morrow evening. Mem. To keep fober.--Coffee.---Sifter reads La Fontaine very well.---Gives me a pair of worked ruffles.Vifit M.-His wife handsome.---Sup there.---Drink too much.---Go to bed.

THURSDAY.Breakfast.---Read an Epiftle from Florizel to Perdita. Not genuine.---Mufic master. Practife on the Violincella. Certainly improved.---Ride. --- Dress.---Dine.---Play billiards with L.---Tea.---Drefs for the ball.---Dance with M. She dances very well.---Pleafant evening's amufement.---Accompany M. home Go to bed.

FRIDAY.---Card from D. for tea and cards.--Not fo handfome as her fifter; too mafculine; unmeaning face; mouth always open.---Will attend.---Breakfast, and read the pamphlet Charles fent me. Don't understand it.---Ride.---Meet Charles; go to a billiard-table; win 70l.---Dress and dine.---Dally an hour with little E.---Vifit D. A room full of ladies.---Aunt the handsomest amongst them.-Lofe 19 guineas at quadrille.Tea and chatter.-L. M. and C. come in and join us at cards.-Lofe 36 guineas.-Determined to be revenged on the lovely M. Think no woman can withstand me.-Sup.-Take formal leave of the company, and go to mother ***** with Charles.-Drunk. -Go to bed.

SA

SATURDAY.-Hunt. Very good fport.-Buy a frefh hunter.-Give one to Charles, who returns it, having no ftable to keep it. Would keep it for him, but Pater would be angry.-Mem. Pater don't not like Charles.-Drefs.-Dine.Go to the opera; Pacchierotti inimitable; Theodore a flying devil.--Mem. To enquire after the figurante that nodded to L. in the pit, and to have her as cheap as poffible.-Sup.-Half feas over. Go to bed.

SUCH, friend SPEC, are the memorandums of this young gentleman; by which you will perceive that he was, at that time, fomething too much addicted to Bacchus; but I am told, that he has, in a great measure, renounced the jolly god; in which cafe, I have no doubt but that he will become a valuable member of fociety.

You will perceive that his engagements are of fuch a kind, and with fuch people, that they preclude all poffibility of mental improvement, unlefs he had virtue enough to renounce his bottle companions, as well as Bacchus himself. But he is perpetually told that it is time enough for him to think of grave affairs; and it is a kind of fashion for young men to pafs their early years în fuch a manner as to provide fufficient matter of repentance for many years to come. This gentleman's difpofition is naturally good, and he has nothing to dread but the bane of Falstaffe, villainous company!"

BULIA.

WE had been repeatedly informed that in not place more than in Bulia, was the influence of example more difcernible. And, refpecting infamous example, we found it fo. The King and Queen of Niatirb were the most amiable of the Bulians in their public and private conduct, and the example of royalty ufually extends through the fubject realms. But here it failed. It requires fome virtue to follow virtuous example, and-the Bulians were too deeply emerged in grofs purfaits to let virtue generally predominate over vice. The King and Queen, therefore, flood alone. The Court was apparently adorned with graces, but, alas! they were the external graces of polluted minds; the mere femblance of goodnefs.

SELAW, the eldeft fon of the king, vain, giddy, and oftentatioufly affable, had fet an example to the rifing nobility very different from that of his parents. He was courted by youth and age, and flattered, becaufe his ideas were fimilar to thofe of the Bulians-who centred all good in prefent enjoyment; who renounced all religion as an idle ceremony; and who willingly 'facrificed every thing to paffion and intereft.

"WITH an aching heart have I beheld thy

purfuits, and marked thy connexions with deep "diftrefs. It becomes not thee, my fon, like "base-born fouls, to emerge into diffipation, and "wafte thy precious time in folly. The mind of "Selaw fhould be actuated by noble views. Thy

public and thy private conduct fhould be the "reverse of that by which the minions of thefe days are diftinguifhed. Believe me, Selaw, "thy affociates are fuch that 'tis a vice to "know them.' Guard thine own heart, and be"lieve not the tongue of flattery, left it lead thee "to destruction. Let not the lovely propensity "of thy foul to oblige univerfally, tempt thee to "facrifice to others the conduct of thy own life, "for that will lead thee to difgrace. Neither "be perfuaded that those actions can be pardon"able in thee, which bring difhonour on others. "Elevation of dignity aggravates crimes.

"LET a determined refolution to discounte"nance vice, in all her forms, mark thy gene "ral conduct. Thy pleasures refulting then "from virtuous purfuits, fhall acquire stability; and thou fhalt foon difcern the vast difference "between the tranfient flufhcs of diffipated mer"riment, and the inextinguishable glow of mo"ral happinefs. To renounce pleasure is dif "ficult to an ignoble mind; but, O my Selaw, "let Bulia fee that thy mind, like thy ftation, "is elevated. Whilft I with tears, Bulia with indignation, views thee the sport of every gale "of passion; unsteady in thy purposes; quit"ting good for evil, and, like folly, purfuing the phantoms of delufion. Turn, nobly turn; "free thyfelf from public fcorn, and me from public pity.

"It becomes not me to interfere respecting thy "political conduct. Ridicule always, and fome"times infamy attends the female politician. "The club of Hercules ill becomes the hand of "Diana. In this, act as becomes a man and a "prince. Remember that thy father's intereft is

thy