Part 13 (1/2)

As our future welfare depends, in a great measure, on our own conduct in the outset of life, and as we derive our best expectations of success from our own attention and exertion, it ood or ill-fortune of ence or sloth; either of which becoh habit in the early part of life, both faarth hashistory of the two Apprentices, by representing a series of such scenes as naturally result from a course of Industry or Idleness, and which he has illustrated with such texts of scripture as teach us their analogy with holy writ Now, as exa and persuasive than precept, these prints are, undoubtedly, an excellent lesson to such youngbefore them the inevitable destruction that awaits the slothful, and the reward that generally attends the diligent, both appropriately exemplified in the conduct of these two fellow-'prentices; where the one, by taking good courses, and pursuing those purposes for which he was put apprentice, becomes a valuableway to idleness, naturally falls into poverty, and ends fatally, as shown in the last of these instructive prints

In the chamber of the city of London, where apprentices are bound and enrolled, the twelve prints of this series are introduced, and, with great propriety, ornament the room

PLATE I

THE FELLOW-'PRENTICES AT THEIR LOOMS

”The drunkard shall cos”

Proverbs, chap xxiii verse 21

”The hand of the diligent maketh rich”--Proverbs, chap x verse 4

The first print presents us with a noble and striking contrast in two apprentices at the looms of their master, a silk-weaver of Spitalfields: in the one we observe a serene and open countenance, the distinguishi+ng mark of innocence; and in the other a sullen, down-cast look, the index of a corrupt ently ehts taken up with the business he is upon His book, called the ”'Prentice's Guide,” supposed to be given him for instruction, lies open beside him, as if perused with care and attention The employment of the day seems his constant study; and the interest of his iven to understand, also, by the ballads of the London 'Prentice, Whittingha behind his thatOn the contrary, his fellow-'prentice, orn-out coat and uncoallon pot before hi the plaything of the wanton kitten, we learn how he slumbers on, inattentive alike to his own and his master's interest The ballad of Moll Flanders, on the wall behind him, shows that the bent of his mind is towards that which is bad; and his book of instructions lying torn and defaced upon the ground,to his future welfare

[Illustration: INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS

PLATE 1

THE FELLOW 'PRENTICES AT THEIR LOOMS]

PLATE II

THE INDUSTRIOUS 'PRENTICE PERFORMING THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN

”O how I love thy law; it is my meditation all the day”--Psalm cxix verse 97

This plate displays our industrious youngdivine service in the sahter, where he shows every arth's strong bias to burlesque was not to be checked by ti rotesque than the fean, and the h asleep, joins his sonorous tones in melodious chorus with the admirers of those two pre-eminent poets, Hopkins and Sternhold The pew-opener is a very pro Miss West's seat are so much in shadow, that we are apt to overlook the with their exertions

Ah! had it been king David's fate To hear the----

The preacher, reader, and clerk, with allery and beneath, are truly ludicrous, and we regret their being on so reduced a scale, that they are scarce perceptible to the naked eye

It was necessary that the artist should exhibit a crowded congregation; but it lected the rules of perspective

The print wants depth In the countenance of Miss West and her lover there is a resemblance Their faces have not much expression; but this is atoned for by a natural and pleasing simplicity Character was not necessary

[Illustration: INDUSTRY AND IDLENESS