Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, Or General And Complete Library.
nature . Tne motive , too , of the relater , often helps , out the unhrw portance of his relation ; and to the ingenuous and susceptible , there is a feeling not unpleasant in allowing for the partiality of gratitude , and the tediousness of him who recounts his obligations . The virtuous connections of life and of the heart it is always pleasing to trace , even though the objects are neither new nor striking . Like those familiar paintings that shew the inside of cottagesand the exercise
, of village duties , such narrations come home to the bosoms of the worthy , who feel the relationship of Virtue , and acknowledge her family wherever it is found . And perhaps there is a calmer and more placid delight in viewing her amidst these unimportant offices , than when we look up to her invested in the pomp of greatness , and the pride of power .
Mr . WILLIAM STRAHAN was born at Edinburgh in the year 1715 , His father , who had a small appointment in the customs , gave his son the education which every lad of decent rank th . en received in a country where the avenucs . to learning were easy , and open to men of the most moderate circumstances . After having passed through the tuition of a grammar-school , he was put apprentice to a printer ; and when a very
young man , removed to a wider sphere in that line of business , and ¦ went to follow his trade in London . Sober , diligent , and attentive , while his emoluments , were for some time very scanty , he contrived to live rather within than beyond his income ; and though he married early , and without such a provision as prudence might have looked for in the establishment of a family , he continued to thrive , and to better his circumstances . This he would often mention as an encouragement to early matrimony , and used to say , that he never had a . child born that Providence did not send some increase of income to
provide for the increase of his household . With sufficient vigour of mind , he had that happy flow of animal spirits , that is not easily discouraged by unpromising appearances . By him who can look with nrmnessupon difficulties , their conquest is already half atcfoieved ; but the man pn whose heart and spirits they lie heavy , will scarcely be able to bear up against their pressure . The forecast of timid , or the disgust of too delkaie mindsare very unfortunate attendants for
, men of business , who , to be successful , must often push improba . bilities , and bear with mortifications . His abilities in his profession , accompanied with perfect integrity and unabating diligence , enabled him , after the first difficulties ivere pvercomg , to' get on with rapid success ; and he was one of the most flourishing men in the trade , when ,, in the year 1770 , he purchafed
a share of the patent for King ' s Printer of Mr . Ei'ie ,, with whom he . maintained the most cordial intimacy during all the rest of his life . Besides the emoluments arising from this appointment , as well as from a very extensive private business , he now drew largely from a field which required some degree of speculative sagacity to cultivate ; we mean that great literal y property which he acquired by purchasing the copy-ri g hts of some of the most celebrated authors of the time . | n this his liberality kept equal pace with his prudence , and in some
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, Or General And Complete Library.
nature . Tne motive , too , of the relater , often helps , out the unhrw portance of his relation ; and to the ingenuous and susceptible , there is a feeling not unpleasant in allowing for the partiality of gratitude , and the tediousness of him who recounts his obligations . The virtuous connections of life and of the heart it is always pleasing to trace , even though the objects are neither new nor striking . Like those familiar paintings that shew the inside of cottagesand the exercise
, of village duties , such narrations come home to the bosoms of the worthy , who feel the relationship of Virtue , and acknowledge her family wherever it is found . And perhaps there is a calmer and more placid delight in viewing her amidst these unimportant offices , than when we look up to her invested in the pomp of greatness , and the pride of power .
Mr . WILLIAM STRAHAN was born at Edinburgh in the year 1715 , His father , who had a small appointment in the customs , gave his son the education which every lad of decent rank th . en received in a country where the avenucs . to learning were easy , and open to men of the most moderate circumstances . After having passed through the tuition of a grammar-school , he was put apprentice to a printer ; and when a very
young man , removed to a wider sphere in that line of business , and ¦ went to follow his trade in London . Sober , diligent , and attentive , while his emoluments , were for some time very scanty , he contrived to live rather within than beyond his income ; and though he married early , and without such a provision as prudence might have looked for in the establishment of a family , he continued to thrive , and to better his circumstances . This he would often mention as an encouragement to early matrimony , and used to say , that he never had a . child born that Providence did not send some increase of income to
provide for the increase of his household . With sufficient vigour of mind , he had that happy flow of animal spirits , that is not easily discouraged by unpromising appearances . By him who can look with nrmnessupon difficulties , their conquest is already half atcfoieved ; but the man pn whose heart and spirits they lie heavy , will scarcely be able to bear up against their pressure . The forecast of timid , or the disgust of too delkaie mindsare very unfortunate attendants for
, men of business , who , to be successful , must often push improba . bilities , and bear with mortifications . His abilities in his profession , accompanied with perfect integrity and unabating diligence , enabled him , after the first difficulties ivere pvercomg , to' get on with rapid success ; and he was one of the most flourishing men in the trade , when ,, in the year 1770 , he purchafed
a share of the patent for King ' s Printer of Mr . Ei'ie ,, with whom he . maintained the most cordial intimacy during all the rest of his life . Besides the emoluments arising from this appointment , as well as from a very extensive private business , he now drew largely from a field which required some degree of speculative sagacity to cultivate ; we mean that great literal y property which he acquired by purchasing the copy-ri g hts of some of the most celebrated authors of the time . | n this his liberality kept equal pace with his prudence , and in some