The Works of Arthur Murphy, Esq (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1786 Excerpt: ...upon thousands of his Majesty's well-; dispofed subjects, and lolls at ease in his chariot. In the army, it is to be seared, preserment goes more by interest, than merit. There is not a wind can blow from any quarter of the heavens, but fills the merchant's imagination with pictured scenes of shipwreck; and while he breaks the seal of a letter, he trembles for sear of receiving the news of some correspondent's failure. I know at at this very moment a person in the city little stiort of fourscore: he has been allways considered as a good man upon 'Change. His lise has gone on in one unwearied tenor of application and industry. He has been regularly, for forty years together, at Lloyd's coffee-house every morning at six, to learn the news from the several sea-ports throughout England. His table has been allways hospitable, but with due frugality. And yet, after all his pains, this very person is now a bankrupt; and at his age has the world to begin over again. There is, however, a way of lise, which I cannot help thinking the most eligible. Not to keep the reader in suspence, the occupation I mean is that of a gamester. After mature deliberation, the gentlemen of this calling seem to me to be in possession of greater advantages than any of the others, and the inconveniencies attending them, are not upon a balance with the conveniences. A gamester, from a constant habit of venturing large sums upon the turning up of a card, or a die, acquires that thorough disregard for money, which is so much recommended by the philofophers. In the words of Sallust, he is alieni appe 2 tenst tens, fui profufus; at the fame time that he is desirous of his friends substance, he has the pleasure of being profuse in his own private gratifications. Instead of creeping through lise...