19. Mr. S, says he, you are a spendthrift; you have squandered away your estate, and neglected your own affairs, and how can I expect you will take care of mine? Walk along, sir.-Then came great T, with little t.

20. Mr. T, says he, I hear you are a thief, and if you do not clear yourself of this charge, I shall neither admit you into my house, nor into my regiment. A thief is the most despicable of all characters I would not for the whole world, have a single one in my company for one scabby sheep will spoil a whole flock.-Then came great U, with little u.

21. Mr. U, says he, I am informed you are a great usurer; that you extort the most extravagant interest from honest tradesmen, who are in distress; that you have no compassion on the needy, and that you grind the face of the poor. If these things be true, I shall consider all your pretences to religion, only as vile cloaks for your

sins. A hypocrite in religion, is hateful both to God and man.-Then came great V, with little v.

22. Mr. V, says he, I hear you are a great vaunter, and boast even of actions that you have never attempted. A braggadocio is always a coward; besides, you have no regard for truth--and who would connect himself with a liar! Truth is so divine, so desirable, that all wise and good men are in the search of it-but lying lips, who can bear? All liars shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.-Then came great W, with little w.

23. Mr. W, says he, I rejoice to see you well. I take you to my heart, and shall always esteem a friend like you as an invaluable treasure. You are not only wise, but you are good-for he that has true wisdom, must, I think, have innate good

H

ness. You are constant and steady in the worship of the Almighty-and before him offer up the most grateful of all sacrifices; that of an upright heart. You consider every child of sorrow, as your brother-your benevolence is extended to all-though preference is given to the most industrious and deserving-you assist the fatherless, and comfort the widow-by you the naked are clothed, and the hungry are not sent empty away-for which the almighty will pour down blessings on you seventy fold-Peace shall be established in your possessions, and sportive liberty shall wanton in your plains-"The clouds shall drop fatness on your fields, and the vallies shall stand so thick with corn, that they shall laugh and sing."--Then came great X, with little x.

24. Mr. X, says he, you are an excellent fellow, and to you I have no exception-your learning is very extensive, and your virtues highly extolled. Your father planted in you those seeds of learning and knowledge, which grow for the good of mankind-and in you we behold the blessed fruits of a virtuous education.--Then came great Y, with little y behind him.

25. Mr. Y, says he, you are young, and unfit for me at present, but if you will have a little patience, and pay attention to the useful lessons which are given you, by those who have the care of your education, you may, by and bye, stand first in the rank of honour-and if you follow the advice of your most excellent father, your pursuits will be crowned with peace and plenty. For though I have been young and now am old, yet never saw I the righteous forsaken, or his seed begging bread.--Then came great Z, and little with him.

26. Mr. Z, says he, I know you are very zealous; but your zeal is sometimes misplaced, and

then it becomes a bad ingredient, even in a good man. You ought to take care that your zeal be founded on knowledge, and consistent with humanity; otherwise you may do more harm than those who have a worse heart. We have scen what havock mistaken zeal has made in the world; whole nations have been ruined by it, and many people have been burnt alive. So it may be truly said, that seal without knowledge is a fire without light.

Given under my hand and seal, in the Critic's Palace, this 27th day of September, in the year of the world, 5792.

GREAT A.

N. B. Here you will observe that great A, being a person of prudence and penetration, never takes up with appearances only; but inspects, as it were, the very hearts of men, before he engages them in his service; for every man's disposition may be pretty well known, by comparing his words and actions for a long series of time. He had but three, as you will find, out of the whole twenty-six-a sad sign of depravity. By his example, however, and good management, all the rest were converted and became good.

1040

Chapter XLVI. Forty-sixth.

A CHAPTER OF PROVERBS.

1. A Proverb is a child of experience.
All the wit in the world is not in the head.
A wise man hath more ballast than sail.

A friend is not so soon found as lost.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
A fool and his money are soon parted:

2. Better spare at the brim than at the bottom..
Bought wit is best, if not bought too dear.
Better to play at small game than stand idle.
Better is half a loaf than no bread.

Be always mindful of past favours.
Birds of a feather flock together.

3. Cheer up, man, God is still where he was.
Crosses are ladders which lead to heaven.
Craft brings nothing home at last.
Covetous men's chests are rich, not they.
Conscience is a thousand witnesses.
Chuse a wife on Saturday, not on Sunday,
4. Diligence will overcome difficulties.
Do no ill and fear no harm.

Death is the doctor that cures all disorders.
Discontent is man's worst evil.

Do all you can to be good, and you will be so.
Discretion is the parent of virtue.

5. Every bird thinks its own young the best.
Every fool is wise in his own conceit.
Every one should sweep before his own door.
Evil be to him who evil thinks.

Every bean has its black.

Enough is as good as a feast.

6. Fair words butter no parsnips.

Fine sense is not so good as common sense. Fly the pleasure that will bite to-morrow. Friends do not grow on every bough. Foolish tongues talk by the dozen. Fierceness is softened by mildness. 7. Good to begin well, better to end well. Good swimmers are drowned at last. Good looks buy nothing in the market. Great fires may be kindied with small coals. Gold goes in any gate except heaven's. Good husbandry is good divinity. 8. Hear with both ears, and then judge. He looks one way and rows the other.

He that will not work should not eat.
He who once hits will be always shooting.
He who abounds in words wants wit.

Honesty is the best policy-the world over.
9. If once a man fall, all will tread on him.
Idleness will clothe a man with rags.
I speak of chalk and you of cheese.
It is a good horse that never stumbles.
It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.
I will go warm, and let fools laugh on.
10. John Do-little, is the sun of Sue Spin-little.
Jack will never make a Gentleman.
Jealousy has a thousand eyes.

Joe's mother-wit is better than school-logic.
Jack at all trades and good at none.

11. Keep your mouth slut and your eyes open.
Keep thy shop, and that will keep thee.
Kings may conquer armies, but not death.
Knowledge is good for nothing unless it be used.
Keep bad company at a distance.

Keep with good men, and add to their number.
12. Lean Liberty is better than fat slavery.
Lend, and loose my money, so play fools,
Live, and let live; i. e. be a good landlord.
Look not a gift-horse in the mouth.
Lawyers' houses are built with fools' money.
Lazy folks take the most pains.

13. Many words will not fill a bushel.

Mettle is dangerous in a blind horse.
Much better loose a jest than a friend.
Marry in haste, and repent at leisure.
Make no friendship with a bad man.
Money is a good servant, but a bad master.
14. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Never let go a certainty for an uncertainty.
Near is my shirt, but nearer is my skin.
None is a fool always; every one sometimes.