Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Folly Of Noblemen And Gentlemen Paying Their Debts,
liamentary authority * . But as innovations of all kinds , let them be ever so productive of public utility , generally meet with opposition , so there are at present a few among the quality , who either Through a tenacious disposition of habit , a stubborn opposition to the court , or an unaccountable frenzy . that has seized them , still persevere in the old road of paying ; and annually fling away vast sums in the unnecessary discharge of what is commonly called lawful debts .
However , as the number of these is very small , and daily decreases , 1 hope no inconvenience wiil accrue from their obstinate dissension ; yet , lest vulgar error should invest , such people with characters to make them the objects of admiration , and consequently imitation , to the young nobility , I think it the duty of one who wishes well to that bodyto expose the absurdity of such a proceeding , and to
, warn the unexperienced against this enthusiasm . I call it enthusiasm , because these schismatics plead conscience , and an inward calling , that instigates them to these ungentleman-like , as well as unsociable , actions . In the first place I must deviate a little from my subject , to make a proper distinction between two things which have been confounded
of late on purpose by this party to advance their doctrine , viz . Honour ancl Honesty . Now they have long argued in vain , and used many sophistical reasons , to prove , that the punctual observance of one , constitutes the other ; whereas , a little insi ght into the present age , will
clearly demonstrate , that they not only can , but do actually exist separately and independent of each other . For instance , Honour is not that little pitiful thing it has long been taken for , of servilely keeping a promise , paying debts , & c . No , ' tis of a more high ancl aerial extraction . Honour runs in the blood , nods under the coronet , and is enrolled in the patent ; ancl in that shape is transmitted unalienable down to posterityfrom generation to generation . My Lord ' s
an-, cestors had titles , and he ancl his offspring are persons of Honour , in spite of any dirty mechanic ' s uncross'd shop-book among them . This is Honour , ancl appears at Court in the greatest lustre ; whilst Honesty , the paltry inhabitant of a Cottage , has no manner of business in a palace ; and if by chance any of the above-mentioned faction invite her therethey are looked upon as men who deliht in low
com-, g pany , and are stigmatized and avoided accordingly . I would have , therefore , our young people of quality , who are desirous of being esteemed polite , persons of honour and hi gh breeding , be particularly careful not to be influenced by the precepts or examples of such antiquated bigots : for paying debts now-a-days , is looked upon as a great mark of honestywhich . 1 dare saypeople of their
, , , lank and education would industriousl y fly from , if they knew it , as it is become in some measure incompatible with honour . Long bills and no receipts ought to be as an inseparable mark of a patrician , as the coronet upon the coach ; and the different degrees of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Folly Of Noblemen And Gentlemen Paying Their Debts,
liamentary authority * . But as innovations of all kinds , let them be ever so productive of public utility , generally meet with opposition , so there are at present a few among the quality , who either Through a tenacious disposition of habit , a stubborn opposition to the court , or an unaccountable frenzy . that has seized them , still persevere in the old road of paying ; and annually fling away vast sums in the unnecessary discharge of what is commonly called lawful debts .
However , as the number of these is very small , and daily decreases , 1 hope no inconvenience wiil accrue from their obstinate dissension ; yet , lest vulgar error should invest , such people with characters to make them the objects of admiration , and consequently imitation , to the young nobility , I think it the duty of one who wishes well to that bodyto expose the absurdity of such a proceeding , and to
, warn the unexperienced against this enthusiasm . I call it enthusiasm , because these schismatics plead conscience , and an inward calling , that instigates them to these ungentleman-like , as well as unsociable , actions . In the first place I must deviate a little from my subject , to make a proper distinction between two things which have been confounded
of late on purpose by this party to advance their doctrine , viz . Honour ancl Honesty . Now they have long argued in vain , and used many sophistical reasons , to prove , that the punctual observance of one , constitutes the other ; whereas , a little insi ght into the present age , will
clearly demonstrate , that they not only can , but do actually exist separately and independent of each other . For instance , Honour is not that little pitiful thing it has long been taken for , of servilely keeping a promise , paying debts , & c . No , ' tis of a more high ancl aerial extraction . Honour runs in the blood , nods under the coronet , and is enrolled in the patent ; ancl in that shape is transmitted unalienable down to posterityfrom generation to generation . My Lord ' s
an-, cestors had titles , and he ancl his offspring are persons of Honour , in spite of any dirty mechanic ' s uncross'd shop-book among them . This is Honour , ancl appears at Court in the greatest lustre ; whilst Honesty , the paltry inhabitant of a Cottage , has no manner of business in a palace ; and if by chance any of the above-mentioned faction invite her therethey are looked upon as men who deliht in low
com-, g pany , and are stigmatized and avoided accordingly . I would have , therefore , our young people of quality , who are desirous of being esteemed polite , persons of honour and hi gh breeding , be particularly careful not to be influenced by the precepts or examples of such antiquated bigots : for paying debts now-a-days , is looked upon as a great mark of honestywhich . 1 dare saypeople of their
, , , lank and education would industriousl y fly from , if they knew it , as it is become in some measure incompatible with honour . Long bills and no receipts ought to be as an inseparable mark of a patrician , as the coronet upon the coach ; and the different degrees of