we cannot fpare the ready money, and be now to be fine without it. But, think what you do when you run t. You give to another power over yuriberty. If you cannot pay at the , you will be ashamed to fee your tor: you will be in fear when you jak to him; you will make poor, pitineaking excufes, and by degrees me to lofe your veracity, and fink inbafe downright lying; for, as poor Richard lays," The fecond vice is ly ing, the firft is running in debt." And , to the fame purpose, “ Lying rides apon Debt's back;" wereas a free-born Ehman ought not to be ashamed nor dil to fee or fpeak to any man living, Poverty often deprives a man of all p and virtue: It is hard for an bag to ftand upright," as poor Kilard truly fays. What would you k of that prince, or that government, who Thould iffue an edict forbidding you drefs like a gentleman or a gentlewosan, on pain of imprisonment or fervide? Would you not fay, that you e free, have a right to drefs as you kafe, and that fuch an edit would be reach of your privileges, and fuch a emment tyrannical? And yet you about to put yourself under that tyranwhen you run in debt for fuch drefs! our creditor has authority, at his plea re, to deprive you of your liberty, by fing you in gaol for life, or by fellgyon for a fervant, if you should not be to pay him. When you have got ur bargain, you may, perhaps, think de of payment; but "Creditors (poor hard tells us) have better memories Debtors ;" and in another place he "Creditors are a superstitious sect, Et obfervers of fet days and times." I day comes round before you are a , and the demand is made before are prepared to fatisfy it. Or if you your debt in mind, the term which it feemed fo long, will, as it leffens, ar extremely fhort. Time will feem have added wings to his heels as well atis fhoulders. Thofe have a fhort Lett (faith poor Richard) who owe moto be paid at Eafter." Then fince, hefays, "the Borrower is a flave to the Lender, and the Debtor to the Credidifdain the chain, preferve your freedom, and maintain your indepenracy; be induftrious and free, be fruand free. At prefent, perhaps, you y think yourfelves in thriving cir VOL. XXXIX. cumftances, and that you can bear a little extravagance without injury; but, "For age and want fave while you may, No morning-fun lafts a whole day," as poor Richard fays.-Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but ever, while you live, expence is conftant and certain; and "It is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel," as poor Richard fays. So "Rather go to bed fupperlefs than rife in debt." "Get what you can, and what you get hold; It is the ftone that will turn all your lead into gold," as poor Richard fays. And when you have got the Philofopher's tone, fure you will no longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of paying taxes. This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom: But, after all, do not depend too much upon your own Industry, and Frugality, and Prudence, though excellent things; for they may all be blafted without the bleffing of Heaven: and therefore afk that bleffing humbly. and be not uncharitable to those that at prefent feem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember Job fuffered, and was afterwards profperous. And now, to conculde, " Experience keeps a dear school; but fools will learn in no other, and fearce in that; for it is true, we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct," as poor Richard fays. However, remember this, "They that will not be counselled, cannot be helped," as poor Richard fays; and further, "That if you will not hear Reason, she will furely rap your knuckles.' Thus the old gentleman ended his ha rangue. The people heard it, and ap proved the doctrine; and immediately practifed the contrary, juft as if it had been a common fermon: for the auction opened, and they began to buy extravagantly, notwithstanding all his cautions, and their own fear of taxes.I found the good man had thoroughly studied my Almanacks, and digested all I had dropped on thofe topics during the courfe of twenty-five years. The frequent mention he made of me must have tired any one elfe, but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it; though I was confcious that not a tenth part of the wildom was my own which he afcribed to me, but rather the glean. ings that I had made of the fenfe of all ages and nations. However, I refolved D to be the better for the echo of it; and though I had firft determined to buy ftuff for a new coat, I went away, refolved to wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the fame, thy profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever thine, to serve thee. To the Author of the SCOTS MAGAZINE. THE HE following loose reflections I found in the cabinet of a dear friend whom I have lately loft.— His mind was of that uncommon frame, which could bear to meditate with complacency and chearfulness on a fubject of doubt, anxiety, and difmay. As they may tend to cherish the same happy difpofition in others, they are prefented to you without apology. A Materialift, who fuppofes the foul to be but a quality of matter, modified in a certain manner, fhould be afked, "Where is the change in the modification of matter at the inftant that the fpirit leaves the body?- Each component part of the body retains its form and fituation. The image is ftill painted on the retina of the eye; as may be proved by taking it out of its focket, and placing a white fubftance behind it, which will receive the picture of all external objects. And fo it is with all the organs of fenfe." Death, therefore, is not a change of modification in the parts of our body; but as the body remains the fame, it must be the feparation of a fubftance perfectly diftinct from the body. In what manner the foul fhould ever be united to the body, is as incomprehenfible, as that they fhould ever exit teparately and difunited. But we know that the foul is not congenial with the embryo, but united to it at a certain period of its growth; we know likewife, that at another period this intelligent fubftance leaves its material companion: -- - two facts which prove it to be a feparate fubftance: And it is easier for me to conceive it to be a fubftance capable of a feparate existence, than to fuppofe it only à refult of compounded matter. Is there any other compofition of matter but the animal compofition, which forms a refult refembling intelligence? What then, do we fear in death, which is but a change in the mode of our cxiftence? We made one charge when we came into life; and why fhould we fear make another? Do we change our master in that afte ftate?-do we ceafe to be under the ge vernment of that being who took care us in this life? Have we lefs reafon to truft that H will wifely difpofe of us after this lif than we have, that He will care for during what yet remains of it? With equal reason should I fear to li to-morrow, as fear to die. The chief fource of the fear of Dea is in the ignorance of the nature of th state which fuce.zds. We dread it fomething unknown; a dark labyrint of which we know not the termination a path where thousands go before, b there is none to inform us of its issue. Thus we fear every thing that we not know. The first navigator feared truft his bark out of fight of the fhore. but experience foon taught him, that t diftant ocean was more tranquil than t fhallow bays. The Equatorial as wi as the Polar regions, while unknow were deemed uninhabitable. A blit man fears to tread a path with which] is unacquainted. Fear, therefore, is no proof of the ce tainty of danger. That terror is childi which arifes folely from uncertainty. But another fource of the fear Death is the dread of the pain fuppof to attend the feparation of the foul fro the body. But here, perhaps, we judge erron ouЛly. It is certain that an acute difea is painful: but if the difeafe is painfu the termination of that pain fhould pleafant. The laft ftruggle is probably the eafiel The fenfes are gradually abforpt. No we know that the abforption of the fe fes is rather pleasant than painful. It pleafant to fink gradually into fleep and perhaps it is a fimilar abforption the faculties when we die. The forethought or expectation of dy ing conftitutes its pain; for were we d vefted of that, our laft illness would b no more fevere than others from whic we have recovered.. Animals which have not forethough or apprehenfion of death, appear to d eafily. When mortally wounded, the clofe their eyes, as in a fleep, and expi often without the finalleft ftruggle. To balance thofe fears which arife from uncertainty, we need but to review the confolation confolations, for fome of which we have well-founded, and for others abfolute certainty. We have the certainty of deliverance from much mifery. Chained to a mafs of matter which is in a continual progrefs to decay, the foul fhares in all the pars and difeafes of its frail vehicle. But loofed from the body, he is emancpated from her bondage, and is free to the exertion of her native powers, with out incumbrance or refraint. The victim of difeafe fhall exchange his fickly frame for angelic ftrength and beauty. The wounds of the spirit, more fevere than the keeneft anguish of the body, hall then be healed for ever. Patient merit fhall no longer fuffer "the fpurn of the unworthy." The poor fhall ceafe to bow beneath the rod of the oppreffor. The capricious changes of Fortune, the stroke of unforeseen calamity, the death of friends and protectors, leaving comfortless and abandoned, from thefe, which conftitute the miferies of fe, we have a certain deliverance. To thefe confolations, we add the opes which arise from Reason and Reigion. To the good and virtuous man the balance of expectation in an after state is furely comfortable. Whether we fhall draw pleasure from the fame fources whence we now derive is among the arcana that are for ever fut to mortal eyes. As our faculties are at prefent conftitated, we cannot easily conceive other burces. If the foul fhall exift through the medam of fenfes, we can figure enjoyments refembling those which conftitute or prefent happiness. The pleafures arifing from the virturus affections are the highest of which We can conceive the foul to be capable; moft certainly, not unworthy of hea ven itself. Friends fhall unite, no more to part; -the husband and the wife, the orphans and their father, the mother and fought truth; —the counfels of Provi- To the Author of the SCOTSMAGAZINE. REading, fome months fince, in a pe riodical publication, the journal of a woman of high tafte; and meeting with the following by accident, written, as it appears, by the wife of a man in the country, who had but a fcanty income, and was burdened with a family; I thought the contraft fufficiently ftriking, if it has no other merit, to intitle it to a place in your Magazine. "SUNDAY. Rofe pretty early. Refolved to go to church with my family; but a little chagrined when I reflected, that Kitty's gown was very fo fo; Tom's breeches wanted feating ;- Harry's coat much the worse for the wear; little Ned and Bill's fhoes had been cobled extremely, and were apt to run down at heel. However, ill-health only fhould prevent our joining in public worship: bruthed them up as well as poffible: hufband and self headed them to church. An excellent fermon from Dr Harrifon : the text, "Take no thought for to-morrow," &c.- much comforted by it. Dined on a fhoulder of mutton and potatoes; - good appetites and thankful hearts.- At church again in the afternoon. Mrs Dulcet's to tea.- Mem. A moft excellent woman. — Chearful, pious, and friendly.— Two hours flid away imperceptibly in chearful chat, without detraction: not always the cafe that at country tea-tables.— Heard the young folks read, and to bed about ten. MONDAY. Waked, full of diftreffing thoughts: the good fermon obliterated, or fwallowed up, by carking care.Kitty fixteen, no portion,-full of fenfibility, loves reading, bas a taste for books, of a delicate frame,- cannot labour as a household drudge, likes the needle, is ingenious, and induftrious, The moft diftant ages fhall unite.- but no friend to put her in a way whereThe virtuous fhall affociate with the mo- in her talents might turn to emolument. dels of their life, thofe illuftrious cha-Tom of age to go apprentice, but no raters, the wife and good that diftin- money for a premium.-- Harry withing guithed ancient days. for fchool-books, which cannot be bought. Little Ned and Bill only anxi her child. The philofopher thall find his long ous for bread, fhoes, and stockings. Throw afide these tormenting reflections: A little breakfast,- faces all chearful, but my poor man's.-Set down to mending old linen till one.- Dine on cold mutton. Walked out with my daughter. Mem. The fpring unfolds its beauties with equal benevolence to all, and the pure fnowdrop courts the hand of Indigence with as much complacency as that of the minion of Fortune. Drank tea. Query, is not that an unwarrantable indulgence? - but we have often fhort dinners. Our small beer is indeed fmall. Thus do we always find excufes for our favourite gratifications.At the needle till night, eat a cruft of bread, and to bed. TUESDAY. Rofe at fix; called the poor maid; the fervant of fuch poor people is intitled to that epithet.-Set her to washing the linen, (not an immenfe quantity, while Kitty and felf buffled in the other household matters. Breakfafted. The children at school. -The butcher brought in his bill, viz. a quarter's, amounting to L. 5, 10 s.; — told him, I would give it Mr Johnson: - he looked furly.- Defired him to fend a neck of mutton: believed he had not one, might have a breaft: - however, a neck was fent.- Broth for dinner.Mrs Dulcet fent for us to tea.- Johnfon, felf, and Kitty went : forgot, as ufual, in her fweet fociety, the cares that weighed me down. She too has been a difciple in the fchool of Adverfity: - her heart is meliorated without lofing its chearfulness -- nor will fhe allow of for. row, but for guilt, or the death of friends. -Supped with her.- Grieved at the report that prevailed of one of the Royal Family being dead, and a general mourn ing. Mem. Hard upon us, to be obliged to get mourning, and yet it can't be difpenfed with in my husband's fituation. Johnson (who fometimes extracts a jeft from his own poverty) faid, it would be a good scheme, to get the hatter to immerfe us in his dye-kettle, juft as we were; at which we laughed Supped there. came home late; the children all asleep. — And fo clofes Tuesday. WEDNESDAY. A fine morning to dry our poor linen.- Breakfasted as u fual. This morning's poft brought a letter from my uncle Stapleford: -- preffes for one year's intereft for the loan of fifty pounds (five years fince), which, if he has not in a week, he will feize for the principal. Mem. he is worth twer ty thoufand pounds, has no family, ha had five per cent. punctually paid for th faid five years: I am his next heir, bu fhall moft probably wade to the end my difficulties, and go to fleep before.Muft write a fupplicating letter for for bearance, for I am fure we cannot pa immediately. At a lofs for dinner: heard sprats cried ; — bought enough fo feven pence to dine us all.- Told Kitty I would speak the next day to Mrs Kee for fome plain work for her to do.- In portuned by a poor beggar (with man tears) for a dry cruft; wept with her - gave a flice from the loaf, and the r maining fprats.-The boys will con home hungry, but there is cheefe; to will fupply my fupper. My poor Joh fon came home much dejected, Stitch t tailor, whom he owes feven ponnda, ha infulted him at a public houfe: defire him not to mind it; - put him in min that on Friday he would receive twent pounds: - but then there is the bu cher's bill; - would not remind him that then. A melancholy evening-t bed at eleven, after talking over all of embarraffments, to which appeared n end. - THURSDAY. Rofe, I truft, in noi frame of mind: our habitation glor oufly illuminated by the morning-fun - poured out my heart to that GREA BEING, of whom the fun (powerful a he is) can give us but a faint idea; thankful that we wanted not a mea which, though fcanty, thousands want ed. Breakfafted. Froned linen. - A fraid to fend to Haunch's for a joint c meat at laft took courage, procu red a piece of beef, which, with th addition of a pudding, will furnish ou to-morrow's dinner. In the afternoo drefs'd a little, and waited on Mrs Keen - - - Coldly received.- Afked for work fo Kitty: he is furprifed that I let the gir wear her hair so high; wonders, nov fhe is fo old, I do not do without fervant; thinks we might get Tom ou without much money;-many Londo tradefmen would be glad of fuch a lad he might be an errand-boy at first in deed; but as he can write fo well, and fo forth, he would get higher; — John. fon himself, the thought, might teach the little-ones, and fave their schooling and he will have time enough, perhaps foon, as the hears there is a new regulation in his office, by which means his duty duty will be lefs, and confequently his appointment reduced. This news, and her infults, melted me into tears. She afked me to tea; of which I accepted, not being willing to diftrefs my dear ones by returning with a crying face.Wiped up my tears, and received from hera dozen of fhirts for my daughter to make. Mem. This woman was my mother's fervant, but had married a man who had made his way in the world (in the fame manner she had chalked out for Tom) and left her rich.-Supped with fame degree of chearfulness, and retired to reft. red Mr Johnfon to take an account of every thing,-give them all,- and let us croud into a garret, and live on bread and water.- But fee the ways of Providence! Before I had well done speaking, comes a fpecial meffenger from my uncle's houfe, with the news of his death, and that he had left me every thing.Mr Johnfon fet out immediately,- dined luxurioufly with my children, though not on dainties: -our gratifications were of the mental kind. Mrs Dulcet congratulated me with heartfelt joy.- Mrs Keen likewife paid her compliments: and fo great an alteration has taken place in a few hours, that Kitty is genteel, fenfible, and well-educated; my boys are fine, promifing children; and I have always been the beft of managers, wives, and mothers. Such is the miraculous effect of money: but I, from the bottom of my heart, fay, "Lord be with us in all time of our wealth." Such, Sir, is this week's journal, on which I fhall make no farther comment, but am, &c. A-B Mr URBAN, which Nov. 1776. to the first blow given in the war FRIDAY. Slept late. Agreeable dreams.- Ought to murmur, if a ferene night fucceeds a forrowful day Poor Johnfon received his pittance: in a thousand ftraits how to apply it in the best ranner :- at last paid Haunch's whole account,-half Stitch's bill,-poor Sufan's year's wages,-no less than three pounds, half a year's rent, amounting to four ditto,— several small accounts with the grocer, &c. no money to come for many months.- Wrote to Mr Stapleford;-muft fqueeze out a trifle for neceflary odd matters; the children maft have fhoes, and I have not a decent Previous commenced in the year 1740, a apron to tie on; my green gown must be turned, and perhaps Kate's ftriped Captain English, who happened to be on may bear it too; but that we can do our board Ld Aubrey Beauclerk's fhip, in the elves. For dinner cold beef and hot Weft Indies, told Mr Leflie, (then his Lordfhip's Lieutenant), that he had a prefentipotatoes. Bought myself an apron, ment that his own life would be the firft faEtty a hat, and the boys each a pair crifice in that war. A few days after, Lord of hoes-Drank tea with Mrs Latter, Aubrey fell in with a fleet of French men of who fhewed me a many things, which war; whom he hailed, and called upon to Itruly wanted; but I will not contract lower their top-fails. The Frenchmen refudrhts without fome prospect of payment. fed, and Lord Aubrey ordered Mr Leslie to -Treated durfelves this evening with a go forward, and fire one of the forecastlebafan of fmall punch,- forgot our cares, guns among them. As Leflie left the quar-retired late, and flept foundly. terdeck, he clapt his hand upon Capt. EngSATURDAY. Waked Kitty betimes lif's back, and faid, "Now for it, my to fit close to her needle. Whilft we friend; the game is going to begin." The tre chearfully at breakfast, comes a Frenchmen returned a broadɓide before Mr letter from Mr Collins in London, to Leflie got back to the quarterdeck; where my husband was bound for a bun- he found Mr English dead, and the only dred pounds for his coufin and friend man who had received any personal injury Bristow, giving us to understand, that when the body was ftript, no wound appear on board the fhip. But this was not all: Bristow was gone off, and if he (Mr Co-ed, nor was the manner of his death to be ns) had not the money immediately, he accounted for, till fome hours afterwards, would bring an execution into the houfe. when it was found, that a fhot of the ene-Overwhelmed with this intelligence, my had ftruck against one of the muzzles of and the more fo, as I had perfuaded the a quarterdeck gun, and fome particles of the poor man to be engaged from a grateful fpray or honeycomb of the gun, had penective, as Briftow was the means of trated through the skull into the brain. This procuring him his prefent establishment. is a fact, and I dare fay there are many yet -Burst into tears. Mr Stapleford will living who remember it. exafperated beyond measure. Defi. Gent. Mag. A WONDERER. NEW |