attention and exertion, it may, with propriety, be
asserted, that the good or ill-fortune of mankind is chiefly
attributable to their own early diligence or sloth; either of which
becomes, through habit in the early part of life, both familiar and
natural. This Mr. Hogarth has made appear in the following history 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 example is far more convincing and persuasive than
precept, these prints are, undoubtedly, an excellent lesson to such
young men as are brought up to business, by laying before 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 valuable man, and an ornament to his country; the other, by
giving way 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 come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a
man with rags."

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 distinguishing
mark of innocence; and in the other a sullen, down-cast look, the index
of a corrupt mind and vicious heart. The industrious youth is diligently
employed at his work, and his thoughts 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 master his continual regard. We are given to understand,
also, by the ballads of the London 'Prentice, Whittingham the Mayor, &c.
that hang behind him, tha