- Trades and Professions of every Kind to be found in the Borough-Its Seamen and Soldiers - Law, the Danger of the Subject-Coddrington's Offence-Attorneys increased; their splendid Appearance, how supported Some worthy Exceptions Spirit of Litigation, how stirred up - A Boy articled as a Clerk; his Ideas- How this Profession perverts the Judgment - Actions appear through this Medium in a false Light-Success from honest Application— Archer, a worthy Character-Swallow, a Character of different Kind - His Origin, Progress, Success, &c. 111 THE BOROUGH. LETTER VI. PROFESSIONS-LAW. "TRADES and Professions" - these are themes the Muse, Left to her freedom, would forbear to choose ; But to our Borough they in truth belong, And we, perforce, must take them in our song. Be it then known that we can boast of these All who our numerous wants through life supply, Say, of our native heroes shall I boast, Or could she paint their merit or their skill, But needless all; that ardour is their own, And for their deeds, themselves have made them known. Soldiers in arms! Defenders of our soil! Who from destruction save us; who from spoil This too is needless; you've imprinted well (1) ["It stands on record, that in Richard's times A man was hang'd for very honest rhymes."— POPE.] (2) [The poet no doubt alludes to Dr. Wolcot, who, under the well-known appellation of Peter Pindar, published various satires calculated to bring the person and character of George the Third into contempt and hatred. He died in 1819.] (One of those Limbs of Law who're always here; The Heads come down to guide them twice a year). I might not swing, indeed, but he in sport Would whip a rhymer on from court to court; One Man of Law in George the Second's reign Was all our frugal fathers would maintain; (1) The account of Coddrington occurs in "The Mirrour for Magistrates." He suffered in the reign of Richard III. [The execution of Collingbourne was under colour of rebellion, but in reality on account of the doggerel couplet which he is introduced as quoting in "The Mirrour :" "They murder'd mee, for metring things amisse ; Whereof the meaning was so playne and true, Most liked it; for most that most things knew Both for his own and for his counsayl's faults, A crafty lawyer, catching all hee could. The second Ratcliffe, whom I named a Rat, A cruel beast to gnawe on whom hee should: Lord Lovell barkt and bit whom Richard would, Such are the verses headed " How Collingbourne was cruelly executed for a foolish rhyme." The hog of the original rhyme is, however, an allusion to the well-known Silver Boar of Richard's cognizance: whence also Gray's lines: "The bristled boar in infant gore VOL. III. Wallows beneath the thorny shade," &c. &c.] He too was kept for forms; a man of peace, He had a clerk, with whom he used to write And he so kind, men doubted of his skill. Who thinks of this, with some amazement sees, For one so poor, three flourishing at ease; Nay, one in splendour !—see that mansion tall, That lofty door, the far-resounding hall; Well-furnish'd rooms, plate shining on the board, Gay liveried lads, and cellar proudly stored: Then say how comes it that such fortunes crown These sons of strife, these terrors of the town? Lo! that small Office! there th' incautious guest Goes blindfold in, and that maintains the rest; There in his web, th' observant spider lies, And peers about for fat intruding flies; Doubtful at first, he hears the distant hum, And feels them flutt'ring as they nearer come; They buzz and blink, and doubtfully they tread On the strong bird-lime of the utmost thread; But when they're once entangled by the gin, With what an eager clasp he draws them in; Nor shall they 'scape, till after long delay, And all that sweetens life is drawn away. (1) "Nay, this," you cry, "is common-place, the tale "Of petty tradesmen o'er their evening ale; (1) ["He that with injury is grieved And goes to law to be relieved, Is sillier than a sottish chouse Who, when a thief has robb'd his house, |