Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Folly Of Noblemen And Gentlemen Paying Their Debts,
dignity should be distinguished , by the number of duns at his lordship ' s doors , as they are , by the spots in the ermine upon the parliamentary robes . But there is a farther advantage accruing from this honourable art , more than ornamental , which has hitherto been entirely overlooked ; that is , the vast power that it will by degrees lace in the hands of the aristocracyby making so many
depenp , dents upon them : for in case of an invasion , every Baron may by this means be enabled to raise a regiment or two in twenty-four hours , by calling his creditors about him ; which service they would not so willingly enter into , if they were made rich and saucy by frequent payments . As I have already said enough for the instruction of these
illustrious debtors , I think it is my duty to give a word or two of advice to the plebeian creditors : fori have been informed that the progress of this art has lately been often obstructed , by their ill-timed impatience , ill-conducted manner of dunning , and want of mercantile faith . And since they have so far forgot their duty , I shall take upon me to remind them of it , and prescribe proper rules for their
behaviour , in this respect , for the future . Faith , silence , and patience , should be the characteristics of a tradesman , and every one ought to write the names of these three virtues in golden letters over his counter : the one will dictate to him to give proper credit ; the second will prevent him from making use of any impertinent expressionwhen he attends the leveeand the third will inure him to the
, ; disappointments-of ' Mr . Such-a-one , I'll pay you to-morrow : ' for procrastination is now a constant attendant on the great , and with them , as Shakespear says , To-morrow , and To-morrow , and To-morrow , Creeps in this petty Pace from Day to Day ;
and tradesmen ought no more to expect their money , than my lord or my lady intends to pay it . 'Tis sufficient honour to be employed by them , and the name of a Rig ht Honourable should stand for no more in their day-books , than the arms upon the sign-post , to draw in other customers . If shopkeepers and mechanics would practise this part of their duty , I dare say , a perpetual harmony would be
established between the court and city , and those opprobious names with which they brand each other would be entirely abolished ; but ¦ while the dirty shoes of Ludgate-Hill and Covent-Garden presume to po : lute the stairs at St . James ' s , the citizens can never reasonably expect to be countenanced ; nay , perhaps , if they carry their impertinence a little further , that useless thing they live by , called ' Trade , ' may , in a second improvement of politeness , be banished the kingdom . PHILARETES .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Folly Of Noblemen And Gentlemen Paying Their Debts,
dignity should be distinguished , by the number of duns at his lordship ' s doors , as they are , by the spots in the ermine upon the parliamentary robes . But there is a farther advantage accruing from this honourable art , more than ornamental , which has hitherto been entirely overlooked ; that is , the vast power that it will by degrees lace in the hands of the aristocracyby making so many
depenp , dents upon them : for in case of an invasion , every Baron may by this means be enabled to raise a regiment or two in twenty-four hours , by calling his creditors about him ; which service they would not so willingly enter into , if they were made rich and saucy by frequent payments . As I have already said enough for the instruction of these
illustrious debtors , I think it is my duty to give a word or two of advice to the plebeian creditors : fori have been informed that the progress of this art has lately been often obstructed , by their ill-timed impatience , ill-conducted manner of dunning , and want of mercantile faith . And since they have so far forgot their duty , I shall take upon me to remind them of it , and prescribe proper rules for their
behaviour , in this respect , for the future . Faith , silence , and patience , should be the characteristics of a tradesman , and every one ought to write the names of these three virtues in golden letters over his counter : the one will dictate to him to give proper credit ; the second will prevent him from making use of any impertinent expressionwhen he attends the leveeand the third will inure him to the
, ; disappointments-of ' Mr . Such-a-one , I'll pay you to-morrow : ' for procrastination is now a constant attendant on the great , and with them , as Shakespear says , To-morrow , and To-morrow , and To-morrow , Creeps in this petty Pace from Day to Day ;
and tradesmen ought no more to expect their money , than my lord or my lady intends to pay it . 'Tis sufficient honour to be employed by them , and the name of a Rig ht Honourable should stand for no more in their day-books , than the arms upon the sign-post , to draw in other customers . If shopkeepers and mechanics would practise this part of their duty , I dare say , a perpetual harmony would be
established between the court and city , and those opprobious names with which they brand each other would be entirely abolished ; but ¦ while the dirty shoes of Ludgate-Hill and Covent-Garden presume to po : lute the stairs at St . James ' s , the citizens can never reasonably expect to be countenanced ; nay , perhaps , if they carry their impertinence a little further , that useless thing they live by , called ' Trade , ' may , in a second improvement of politeness , be banished the kingdom . PHILARETES .