While  on  this  subject,  in  which  every  individual  is  more
or  less  interested,  the  writer  will  prescribe  a  few  rules  very
fit,  as  he  conceives,  for  universal  observance.  Let  everyone
who  is  about  to  settle  himself  in  life,  provide  those  articles
of  which  he  may  daily  stand  in  need.  What  these  arc,  will
readily  occur  to  every  one  in  a  short  time,  and  will  not  now
be  named.  But  to  be  more  minute.  The  farmer  who  un
dertakes  to  raise  a  crop  without  owning  a  plough,  is  exposed
to  great  inconvenience.  He  loses  much  time  in  obtaining
one  on  loan.  He  must  take  it  when  it  suits  his  neighbor,
which  may  be  on  a  wet  day,  or  for  a  few  hours  at  a  time —
and  he  must  return  it  punctually.  Thus  he  sacrifices  time;
is  prevented  planting  and  cultivating  in  season,  and  meets
heavy  concomitant  evils.  Or  who  could  eulogize  for  pru
dence,  the  young  wife  who  would  undertake  to  keep  house
without  a  tea-pot  and  sugar-bowl;  as  at  the  time  of  her  wants,
her  neighbors  would  be  using  theirs.
Applications  for  loans  ought  not  to  be  frequent.     They

will  tire  the  lender,  and  probably  make  him  crusty.     He  will

begin  to  think  the  borrower  intends  living  by  him,  and  that

it  will  be  best  to  get  rid  of  importunities  by  a  denial  at  once,

20

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154  MISCELLANEOUS    PAPERS.
as  it  must  finally  come  to  that.  It  is  cruel  to  trespass  upon
kindness — it  is  unpardonable.
