Misfortunes gather strength by travelling, and come home loaded with affliction in proportion to the time they take to reach us; therefore when we view them, though aloof, it is our interest to meet, before their burthen becomes too weighty; but the present tense is the most predominant of human passions, and we are too apt to think, whilst danger is out of sight, it is easily conquered; hence it is that the unhappy objects in question entail on themselves a life of misery, by studiously waving the difficulties of a day. If men in trade, the very instant they are arrested, would throw their property into the hands of creditors, they would certainly escape the consequences attending a different step, which at best is only delaying misery, without a hope of avoiding it: _Like one who_, _willing to defer a while_ _A sudden ruin_, _props the tottering pile_, _Till in short space the house_, _the props_, _and all_ _Together in a dreadful ruin fall_. But to return; more actions come against the prisoner on parole, and it is necessary to have bail, not as a security to the plaintiffs, but to augment the bailiff’s emolument. It is a lucky hit if he has no friends ready; for then the banditti come into pay, and the HARVEST begins, which ends not while a moveable is found on his premises; houshold furniture indeed is not the great crop aimed at, the unfortunate man is yet in good credit, and it would be the height of ingratitude to refuse a compliance with his own destruction, to serve such worthy _friends_ as his bail; therefore he must accept a bill of 50 or 100l. for this rascal, another of the like sum for his colleague in iniquity, otherwise he is in danger of being rendered to prison. The bills thus obtained are negotiated, and the consideration sent to the den where they were given, and there divided by the thieves who inhabit it. The bills become due—the acceptor no abilities to pay—writs are taken out—more bail is procured of the same complexion—more notes must be given for the same laudable purposes—more credulous tradesmen are easily found to take them, and the product divided as before—and so on _ad infinitum_, till his credit is on a level with their principles. A statute of bankruptcy at last drops the curtain, and thus ends the farce before the tragedy is begun. Pettyfogging attornies, bailiffs, brokers, and thieves of every denomination have devoured his substance, the creditors are in luck if enough is left to pay the expence a commission. The bankrupt is sent to gaol to linger out the remainder of a wretched life, as a reward for that folly and imprudence, which his creditors construe fraud and villany.