(1)

THE BOROUGH.

LETTER VIII.

TRADES.

Non possidentem multa vocaveris
Recte beatum: rectius occupat
Nomen Beati, qui Deorum

Muneribus sapienter uti,!

Duramque callet pauperiem pati.

HOR. lib. iv. Ode 9. (1)

Non propter vitam faciunt patrimonia quidam,

Sed vitio cæci propter patrimonia vivunt.-JUVENAL, Sat. 12. (2)

["Not he, of wealth immense possess❜d,

Tasteless who piles his massy gold,

Among the number of the blest

Should have his glorious name enroll❜d.

He better claims the glorious name, who knows

With wisdom to enjoy what Heaven bestows." — FRANCIS.]

["Few gain to live, Corvinus, few or none,

But, blind with avarice, live to gain alone."— GIFFORD.]

No extensive manufactories in the Borough: yet considerable Fortunes made there- Ill Judgment of Parents in disposing of their Sons -The best educated not the most likely to succeed-Instance-Want of Success compensated by the lenient Power of some Avocations - The Naturalist Weaver an Entomologist, &c. A Prize-Flower- Story of Walter and William.

- The

145

THE BOROUGH.

LETTER VIII.

TRADES.

Or manufactures, trade, inventions rare,
Steam-towers and looms, you'd know our Borough's
share-

'Tis small: we boast not these rich subjects here,
Who hazard thrice ten thousand pounds a year;
We've no huge buildings, where incessant noise
Is made by springs and spindles, girls and boys;
Where, 'mid such thundering sounds, the maiden's

song

Is "Harmony in Uproar" (1) all day long.

Still common minds with us in common trade, Have gain'd more wealth than ever student made; And yet a merchant, when he gives his son His college-learning, thinks his duty done; A way to wealth he leaves his boy to find, Just when he's made for the discovery blind.

(1) The title of a short piece of humour by Arbuthnot. VOL. III.

Ꮮ

Jones and his wife perceived their elder boy
Took to his learning, and it gave them joy;
This they encouraged, and were bless'd to see
Their son a fellow with a high degree;
A living fell, he married, and his sire
Declared 'twas all a father could require;

Children then bless'd them, and when letters came,
The parents proudly told each grandchild's name.
Meantime the sons at home in trade were

placed,

Money their object-just the father's taste;
Saving he lived and long, and when he died,
He gave them all his fortune to divide :
"Martin," said he, "at vast expense was taught ;
"He gain'd his wish, and has the ease he sought."
Thus the good priest (the Christian scholar!)
finds

What estimate is made by vulgar minds;
He sees his brothers, who had every gift
Of thriving, now assisted in their thrift;
While he whom learning, habits, all prevent,
Is largely mulct for each impediment.

Yet let us own that Trade has much of chance,
Not all the careful by their care advance;
With the same parts and prospects, one a seat
Builds for himself; one finds it in the Fleet.
Then to the wealthy you will see denied,
Comforts and joys that with the poor abide:
There are who labour through the year, and
No more have gain'd than—not to be in debt;
Who still maintain the same laborious course,
Yet pleasure hails them from some favourite source;

yet