When in his Seat; and still the Coat seems new,
Preserv'd by common use of Seaman's blue.

He was a Fisher from his earliest day,

And plac'd his Nets within the Borough's Bay;
Where by his Skates, his Herrings, and his Soles,
He liv'd, nor dream'd of Corporation-Doles;*
But toiling sav'd, and saving, never ceas'd

Till he had box'd up Twelve-score Pounds at least:
He knew not Money's power, but judg❜d it best
Safe in his Trunk to let his Treasure rest;

Yet to a Friend complain'd :-" Sad charge, to keep
"So many Pounds, and then I cannot sleep:"
'Then put it out,' replied the Friend:-" What, give
"My Money up? why then I could not live:"
'Nay, but for Interest place it in his hands,
"Who'll give you Mortgage on his House or Lands:*
"Oh, but," said Daniel, "that's a dangerous plan,
"He may be robb'd like any other Man;"
• Still he is bound, and you may be at rest,
'More safe the Money than within your Chest;
'And you'll receive, from all deductions clear,
Five Pounds for every Hundred, every Year.'

* I am informed that some explanation is here necessary, "though I am ignorant for what class of my readers it can be required. Some corporate bodies have actual property, as appears by their receiving rents; and they obtain money on the admission of members into their society: this they may lawfully share perhaps. There are, moreover, other doles, of still greater value, of which it is not necessary for me to explain the nature or to enquire into the legality.

"What good in that?" quoth Daniel," for 'tis plain, "If part I take, there can but part remain :" 'What! you, my Friend, so skill'd in gainful things, 'Have you to learn what Interest Money brings?' "Not so," said Daniel, "perfectly I know, "He's the most Interest who has most to show." True! and he'll show the more, the more he lends; Thus he his weight and consequence extends;' For they who borrow must restore each sum, And pay for use-What, Daniel, art thou dumb?' For much amaz'd was that good Man-" Indeed !” Said he with glad'ning eye, "will Money breed? "How have I liv'd? I grieve, with all my heart, "For my late Knowledge in this precious Art :"Five Pounds for every Hundred will he give? "And then the Hundred ?----I begin to live."So he began, and other means he found, As he went on, to multiply a Pound: Though blind so long to Interest, all allow That no Man better understands it now : Him in our Body-Corporate we chose, And once among us, he above us rose ; Stepping from post to post, he reach'd the Chair, And there he now reposes-that 's the Mayor.

But 'tis not he, 'tis not the kinder Few,
The Mild, the Good, who can our Peace renew;
A peevish humour swells in every Eye,

The Warm are angry, and the Cool are shy;
There is no more the social Board at Whist,
The good old Partners are with scorn dismiss'd;
No more with Dog and Lantern comes the Maid,
To guide the Mistress when the Rubber 's play'd;

Sad shifts are made lest Ribbons blue and green,
Should at one Table, at one time be seen;
On Care and Merit none will now rely,
'Tis Party sells, what Party Friends must buy ;
The warmest Burgess wears a Bodger's Coat,
And Fashion gains less Interest than a Vote;
Uncheck'd the Vintner still his Poison vends,
For he too votes, and can command his Friends.

But this admitted; be it still agreed, These ill Effects from noble Cause proceed; Though like some vile Excrescences they be, The Tree they spring from is a sacred Tree, And its true produce, Strength and Liberty.

Yet if we could th' attendant Ills suppress,
If we could make the sum of Mischief less;
If we could warm and angry Men persuade,
No more Man's common Comforts to invade ;
And that old Ease and Harmony re-seat,
In all our Meetings, so in Joy to meet;
Much would of Glory to the Muse ensue,
And our good Vicar would have less to do.

}

LETTER VI.

PROFESSIONS-LAW.

Quid Leges sine moribus

Vanæ proficiunt?

Horace.

Væ! misero mihi, mea nunc facinora
Apperiuntur, elam quæ speravi fore.

Manilius.

THE PROFESSION OF LAW.

Trades and Professions of every kind to be found in the Borough. -Its Seamen and Soldiers.-Law, the Danger of the Subject. -Coddrington's Offence.-Attorneys increased; their splendid Appearance, how supported. — Some worthy Exceptions.— Spirit of Litigation, how stirred up.-A Boy articled as a Clerk; his Ideas.-How this Profession perverts the Judgment. Actions appear through this medium in a false light.-Success from honest Application.—Archer a worthy Character.— Swallow a Character of different kind.—His Origin, Progress, and Success, &c.