179^' LITERARY INTELLIGENCER. I49 



tain : and " It is eafier 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 ; 

 'Tis the Hone that will turn all your lead into gold," 

 as poor Richard fays. And when you have got the philofo- 

 pher's ftone, fure you will no longer complain of bad times, or 

 the difficulty of paying taxes. 



This dodlrine, my friends, is reafon and wifdom : But, af- 

 ter all, do not depend too much upon your own indultry, 

 and frugality, and prudence, though exctl'ent things ; for 

 they may be blafted without the blefTmg of heaven ; and 

 therefore afk that blefling humbly, and be not uncharitable 

 to thofe that at prefent feem to want it, but comfort and 

 help them. Remember Job fufiered and was afterwards 

 profperous. 



And now, to conclude, " Experience keeps a dear fchool; 

 but fools will learn in no other, and fcarce in that ; for it 

 is true, we may give advice, but we ccnnot give condufl," 

 as poor Richard fays. However, remember this, *•• They 

 that will not be counfelled, cannot be helped," as poor 

 Richard fays ; and further, " That if you will not hear 

 Reafon, fhe will furely rap your nuckles.'' 



Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The peo- 

 ple heard it, and approved the doftrine, and immediately 

 pradtifed the contrary, juft as if it had been a common fer- 

 mon : for the audtion opened, and they began to buy ex- 

 travagantly, notwithftanding all his cautions, and their own 

 fear of taxes. I found the good man had thoroughly ftudiei 

 my Almanacks, and digefted all 1 had dropped on thofe 

 topics, during the courfe of twenty-five years. The fre- 

 quent mention he made of me, mult have tired any one elfe ; 

 but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it, though I 

 •was confcious that not a tenth part of the wifdom was my 

 own, which he afcribed to me, but rather the gleanings 

 that I had made of the fenfe of all ages and nations. How- 

 ever, 1 refolved to be the better for the echo of it ; and tho' 

 I had firft determined to buy fluff 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 ferve thee, 



Richard Saunders. 



