i'No. LXXIII.j
THE TABLET.
No. LXXIII.
" 1 hate a drinking companion, fays tht Creek pro
verb, who never forgets."
I KNOW not a more fallacious opinion that
men entertain, than that there is a great
degree of friendlhip and generosity among per
sons, who mingle in parties of dilfipation and
intemperance; The warm profefilons of attach
ment andlgood will that flow so easily, in moments
of feftivity, are apt to lead a by-ftander to imagine
there is some serious friend/hip, at heart. Many
an imprudent youth has fallen a victim to the af
k-verations he heard at convivial mee:ings.
There is perhaps no delcription of men who pro
claim their own generosity so loudly, and yet
who i ealize fewer substantial acts of it, from each
other, rhan those who enter circles, under the
stile of bottie-coinpanions. It is hardly credible
to one, who has not ftri<tly noticed it, how slender
the ties are, that are created by such a connexion.
The idea conveyed in my motto may be taken
in two different (enfes ; and the reader may make
his choice of them. It is true, that when per
sons are engaged in a drinking match, they should
wilh to forget their cares and misfortunes ; and
it will heighten their hilarity, if they can so far
dr*wn their reflection, as to forget the duty they
owe their character and family. And it is like
wise true, that such allociatcs desire that whatever
passes at their scenes of conviviality fliould not
be repeated elsewhere. In either of these con
structions, that companion who does not lole
his recollection will be hated by the reft. What
can be more offenfivc, in the jollity of a debauch,
than renionftrances ot reason, or lectures of mo
rality! What can be more disgusting, when the
d«bauch is over, than a jult description of the ac
tions, and recital of the expreflions, with which
it was attended. If a vociferous person throws
off all rellraint in the hours oi'liis merriment, he
certainly cannot wi(h to behold a portrait of him
felf, when he is sober. His own conduct; his own
conversation are thelaft things in the world, that
he can hear or recolle«t with approbation and
pleasure. I would advise all such clubs, that the
iirft article of their aflbciaiion should be a solemn
oath of secrecy. Otherwise they may often be
fhockedat a view of their own picture. But the
greatest advantage of forgetfulnefs consists in
freeing one from the pain and inconvenience of
being reminded of prouiifes, that are made, when
the heart is opened by mirth and intemperance.
When this kind of openefs and generosity disco
ver themfelvea, among Bacchanalians over the
feottle, it is not intended they fliould afford any
claim upon the person, in whom they are exhi
bited.
I lately met with my old college acquaintance,
Joculus. As he did not appear with his former
dignity and fprightlinefs, I had the curiosity to
enquire into his circumstances and profpecfts. I
found him deflitute of money and friends ; and
that he bad neither character to deserve the one,
nor indultry to procure the other. He complain
ed of ill-health ; and his constitution was too
much wrecked with intemperance to be reclaim
ed. It was difficult for him to aflume resolution
enough to relate his vices and misfortunes ; and
his appearance was so mean andflovenly, that he
Was not willing to be recognized, even when I
called him by name. The terms of intimapy on
which we had formerly aflociated made us both
communicative.
When I knew Joculus, foine years ago, he
dreflcd handlbmefy, poflefled an easy flow of Spi
rits, and was generally esteemed for his amiable
qualifications. His patrimonial estate was fufli
cient, with care and attention, to have afforded
him a decent support. Ithappened unfortunate
ly that he loved pleasure uiofe than business ; and
knew better how to Squander a fortune, than to
keep, or to gain one. Though he was born and
educated in the country, he early conceived an
idea, that he could enjoy life in greater perfec
tion, by taking a relidence in some populous town.
He followed his inclination, and entered at once
into scenes of dilfipation and extravagance. Soon
after he fixed himfelf in a city, he fell into com
pany with a set of profligateyoungfters, whocal
led themselves choicefpirits. This appellation ac
corded so well with the feelings of Joculus,
that he eagerly solicited an admiflion into the
club. As he appeared alight hearted, acconnno
ds»ingyoungman,liis comrades viewed him as an
acqnifition. They foondifcovered the depth of
his purse, and knew intimately his hopes and in
tentions. It was their firft attempt to persuade
him that he had too nobleafpirit to submit to the
drudgery of business, andthat when he liadfpent
his property, he could not be at a loi? for friends.
i- ~,/0
W EDNESDAY, December 23', 1729.
Thus he was beguiled into a course ofidlenefs and
debauchery, which soon plunged him into debt,
and alienated him from his old friends and con
nections.
The lioneft, unfufpedting temper of Joculus,
though it gave his new comrades a controul over
his time and money, was still a source of much
altercation. From his ignorance of human na
ture, hefuppofed that men never spoke but with
sincerity ; never promised but with an intention
to fulfil. He would often repeat in the day, what
he had heard in the revels of the night; andfome
tiiues called in good earnest for the afliftance that
was so lavishly offered, when he stood in no need
of it. 11l this way, he mortified them by the reci
tal of their folly and imprudence ; and vexed them
by his demands on their justice to reimburse his
advances ; and by his appeal to their gsnerofity to
put him into better circumstances. But neither
their justice, their generosity, or their pity afford
ed the lead relief to Jocuius, and he now re
mains as wretched as vice and poverty can render
him. The choice spirits have totally discarded
him, and ridicule him as a low-bred fellow who
remembers too well.
THE OBSERVER.
No. IX.
TO THE PUBLIC CREDITORS.
many of the evils which happen to a
good citizen, he extracts a happiuefs as they
pass. The patriotic creditor, who deposited his
property with the public, has the happiness of
reflecting that his lols contributed to the fafety
of millions, and laid the foundation of an em
pire, in which we hope science and virtue will per
petuate freedom. There have been many delays,
and many things done on the part of the public,
which ought not to have been ; still you have no
reason to defpairof national justice. Somethere
may be who would fpunge the whole, and oblivi
ate your claims—these men are of small number,
and still less influence—they a«sl not from princi
ple, and falfely fuppoling the jneafure would be
popular, have baulked their own expectations of
perferment. As the cafe is eircumftanced, if there
were no sense of justice, a principle of policy
would support your claim with every confederate
man ; for to drive to despair two hundred thou
sand creditors and influential citizens, is an event
too great to be hazarded, aud might produce
worse consequences than the most rigorous pay
ment. Convinced of these fa<fts, the creditors
ought not to be too hasty in their expectations
from the present government. Let it be feenthat
your patience hath not been the eftedt of neceflity,
but from a convi<flion of the deranged state of
the National finances. The mind is apt to vibrate
in extremes, and from too great despondency rife
into sanguine hopes, which never can be realized.
Something of this I have observed in the credi
tors of the nation. To arrange a fclieme of finance
—to liquidate many unsettled claims—to search
from anew, the resources of this great country,
and to adjust the whole into a fyfiem beneficial
to agriculture, commerce and manufactures, re
quires great ability and industry in the official
departments, and the most candid indulgence of
all parties concerned. The gentlemen who have
these duties in trull, poflefs too much good fenp*
to hazard their own responsibility in a sadden
manner, and before they can pollibly ascertain
the means which may be exerted. Returning
order in the treasury department, istliefirft thing
necellary—this you may fee, and for the reft,
there must be time to adjust measures which will
be durable. If the legislature were to decide
without previous information from its executive,
or the executive to endanger its exiftfince by re
commending without knowledge, it would betray
a want of the proper capacity, to relieve a nation
from such confufion as we have experienced. Cer
tainly it will be for the public advantage to stop
the accumulation of interest 011 a great debt ; spee
dily as can be ; you may therefore depend on
everything which is consistent with justice and
humanity to the people, and more thau this ought
not to be granted. The resources of the Uni
ted States are increasing, and in a few years may
do what is at present impoflible. You have no
right to expert, that funds can befuddenly ere<ft
ed and formalized, fufficient to answer the literal
promises of the public ; but ought for the present
to be fatisfied with what in this country hath been
■esteemed small interest for property : On the other
hand, national honor and justice require, that the
funds provided should be in their nature increasing
ones, that the dividend you receive may increase
with the public ability, until it arrives to the point
of equitable interest ; after which, all increase in
rPublijhn■? on IV cdntfday and Salurd ry.J
the national revenue, may become a finkino'fund,
to (to away the general debt, if that be judged
belt. By funds thus conftitutedand sacredly ap
propriated, a comproinife may be made be
tween the nation and its creditors, honorable
for one, and life for the other. In a country of
increafing'comnierce and population,and in which
every year brings a million acres of new land in
to taxable improvement, there is the bed oppor
tunity for funds of the above description. The
State Creditors appear to me in the molt hazar
dous situation, and ought immediately to unite
their influence, that they may be placed on the
fame footing with the creditors of the United
States—the meaftrre mult take place now or never,
—You have a reasonable demand—Your proper
ty was advanced for the common defence, and if
an application is made in l'eafon, you must be
heard. I can forefee but one objection to be
made to this measure, which is,that it willincreafe
the value of State securities, and make them of e
qual goodness with the Continental: But he must
be a churl indeed, who objects 011 this ground,
when it is considered hots much the State creditors
have loft in the principal of their debt, and that
the appreciation will arise from the simple cir
cumstances of giving them a more extended cir
culation, and placing them on the credit of a
known government, and not from laying any
new burdens on the people. The National and
State securities ought to be considered as negocia
blebank stock, and one circumstance on which its
credit and consequent value depends, is the ex
tenfivenefs of its circulation, and the credit of
the government pledged for its redemption. For
these reasons, one hundred pounds placed in the
funds of the United StateS, will be of greater va
lue than the fame sum bearing the fame interest,
in the funds of a single State. lam not an ad
vocate for encreafing the demands on the people
—they have already been too great,and as a friend
of the people I shall endeavor to shew still more
plainlythe impositions they have fuffered. The
people pay a certain sum annually for interest 011
the State debt, and it is of little consequence tp
them, whether this centers in the treasury of the
United States, or of a particular State. If by the
adoption of one general fyftein, both people and
creditor* may be benefited, every friend of his
country will give an influence to complete it.
From a Hartford Paper.
ENGLISH ARTICLE.
A Gentleman from the Weft of England Went
-£*- to London a few weeks ago, to receive ai
legacy of jool. which he propol'ed to bring with
him into the country. His servant, apprised of
his masters errand, imprudently talked of it at
an inn upon the road. A perfonin the room, to
appearance a tradesman, but in reality a highway
man, overheard the conversation, and determin
ed to pollefs hiinfelf of the booty. Pursuing the
gentleman to London, he watched all his mo
tions, and 011 his return into the country was
ready to follow him. On the other fide of Houn
flow, near the turnpike on Smallberry Green,
the robber came up with the chaise, and pafled
it full gallop, but at the gate, not having a single
penny to pay the toll, appearing confuted, he:
took out his handkerchief and begged the turn
pikeman to take it as a pledge. The gentleman
in the chaise having observed the tranfadtion, on.
liis coming up inquired the caule ; and promi
sing to return the handkerchief to the owner, paid
the penny for him. He presently overtook the
ordered his chaise to stop. Pray,
Sir, said he, is this your handkerchief ? If so, I
fear you are 111 great distress. lam indeed, Sir,
replied the man, in the greatest that is pollible.
Allow me, then, replied the gentleman, to relieve
your immediate wants ; and, drawing out his
purse, presented him with five guineas. Your
generosity, said the highwayman, disarms me ; your
five guineas have favedyou five hundred:—and, turn*
ing his horse immediately rode off.
LONDON,
OCTOBER 20.
PERHAPS there is no part of Europe where such
an unrestrained toleration is allowed toper
lons of every religious denomination as in the fe
vcn United Provinces: Amsterdam may be given as
an epitome of the whole. The eftabli/hed reli
gion is Calvinism, and the people of that per
iuadon make up one third ofthe inhabitants, the
Roman Catholics another third, and the Luther
ans, Arminiang, Anabaptists, Quakers and Jews,
conipofe the remainder. Each fedt has its parti
cular places ofworfhip, wliofe pallors may walk
the public llreets with those diftintflions of dress
which immediately characterizes them. No ad