life is ended by a similar sad
catastrophe. It is the spendthrift coming into possession of the wealth of
the paternal miser; the prodigal surrounded by flatterers, and wasting his
substance on the very worst company; the bailiffs, the gambling-house, and
Bedlam for an end. In the famous story of Industry and Idleness, the moral
is pointed in a manner similarly clear. Fair-haired Frank Goodchild smiles
at his work, whilst naughty Tom Idle snores over his loom. Frank reads the
edifying ballads of Whittington and the London 'Prentice, whilst that
reprobate Tom Idle prefers Moll Flanders, and drinks hugely of beer. Frank
goes to church of a Sunday, and warbles hymns from the gallery; while Tom
lies on a tombstone outside playing at halfpenny-under-the-hat, with
street blackguards, and is deservedly caned by the beadle; Frank is made
overseer of the business, whilst Tom is sent to sea. Frank is taken into
partnership and marries his master's daughter, sends out broken victuals
to the poor, and listens in his nightcap and gown with the lovely Mrs.
Goodchild by his side, to the nuptial music of the City bands and the
marrow-bones and cleavers; whilst idle Tom, returned from sea, shudders in
a garret lest the officers are coming to take him for picking pockets. The
Worshipful Francis Goodchild, Esq., becomes Sheriff of London, and
partakes of the most splendid dinners which money can purchase or alderman
devour; whilst poor Tom is taken up in a night-cellar, with that one-eyed
and disreputable accomplice who first taught him to play chuck-farthing on
a Sunday. What happens next? Tom is brought up before the justice of his
country, in the person of Mr. Alderman Goodchild, who weeps as he
recognizes his old brother 'prentice, as Tom's one-eyed friend peaches on
him, and the clerk makes out the poor rogue's ticket for Newgate. Then the
end comes. Tom goes to Tyburn in a cart with a coffin in it; whilst the
Right Honourable Francis Goodchild, Lord Mayor of London, proceeds to his
Mansion House, in his gilt coach with four footmen and a sword-bearer,
whilst the Companies of London march in the august procession, whilst the
trainbands of the City fire their pieces and get drunk in his honour; and
O crowning delight and glory of all, whilst his Majesty the King looks out
from his royal balcony, with his ribbon on his breast, and his Queen and
his star by his side, at the corner house of St. Paul's Churchyard, where
the toy-shop is now.