Again ; he that sells upon credit, asks a price for
what he sells equivalent to the principal and inter-
est of his money for the time he is to be kept out of
it ; therefore, he that buys upon credk, pays inter-
est for what he buys; and ^he that pays ready
13 * G



146 FRANKLIN'S WORKS.
money, might let that money out to use ; so that
he that possessed any thing he has bought, pays
interest for the use of it.
Yet, in buying goods, it is best to pay ready
money, because, he that sells upon credit, expects
to lose five per cent, by bad debts ; therefore he
charges, on ail he sells upon credit, an advance
that shall make up that deficiency.
Those who pay for what they buy upon credit,
pay their share of this advance.
lie that pays ready money, escapes, or may
escape, that charge.
A penny saved is tvvopence clear;
A pin a day's a groat a year.
PAl>£R.
A POEM.
Some wits of old, — such wits of old there were,^»
Whose hints showed meaning, whose allusions care.
By one brave stroke to mark all human kind,
Called clear blank paper every infant mind ;
When 8til],\as opening sense her dictates wrote,
Fair Virtue put a seal, or Vice a blot.
FRANKLIN'S WORKS. 147

The thought was happy, pertinent and true ;
Methinks a genius might the plan pursue.
I (can you pardon my presumption 7) I —
No wit, no genius, yet for once will try.
Various the papers various wants produce,
The wants of fashion, elegance and use.
Men are as various; and if right I scan,
Each sort of ^aiptr represents some man.
