 of the Sense and emblematical Reference that the Old Testament bears to the New?
Sir, said I, I have often dipped, with Pleasure, into the Bible, as there are many Passages, in it, extremely affecting; and others full of fine Imagery and the true Sublime.
My poor dear Child, (mournfully answered Mr.
Goodville,
) by all I can find, you know no one Thing, of Use to yourself, or any other Person living, either with respect to this World or the World to come. Could you make a Pin, or a Waistcoat Button, or form a Pill Box, or weave a Cabbage Net, or shape a Cobler's Last, or hew a Block for a Barber, or do any of those Things by which Millions, daily, maintain themselves, in supplying the Wants and Occasions, or Fashions and Vanities of others; you might not be under the Necessity of perishing.
The Ways of Life, for which your Studies have best prepared you, are Physic and the Law. But, then, they require great Expence, and an intense Application of many Years to come, before you can propose to enter on a Livelihood, by either of those Professions. And, after all, your Success would be very precarious, if you were not supported, by many Friends and a strong Interest, at least on your setting out.
I have, already, told you,
Clement,
that I am not rich; and, if I were; it is not he who gives you Money, but he who puts you into a way of getting it, that does you a Friendship.
I am advised to go to
Montpellier
for the Establishment of my Health, after a tedious Fit of Sickness that I had at
Bath.
I shall set out, in about a Month. But, before I go, my Child, I earnestly wish, and advise you, to fix on some Craft, or Trade, or Manner of employing your Time, that will enable you to earn a certain Subsistance, and, at the same Time, make you a worthy Member of the Community. For, believe me, my Boy, that it is not speculative Science; no, nor all the Money and Jewels upon Earth, that make any Part of the real Wealth of this World. It is Industry, alone, employed on Articles that are useful and beneficial to Society, that constitutes the true Riches of all Mankind.
As soon as you have made your Election, let me see you again. And, in all events, let me
