Chapter XL: Letter XIV: Inhabitants of the Alms-House

BLANEY.

Sed [quam] cæcus inest vitiis amor, omne futurum
Despicitur; suadent brevem præsentia fructum,
Et ruit in vetitum damni secura libido.

_Claudian. in Eutrop._ [Lib. II. vv. 50-2].

Nunquam parvo contenta peracta
Et quæsitorum terrâ pelagoque ciborum
Ambitiosa fames et lautæ gloria mensæ.

Et Luxus, populator Opum, [cui] semper adhærens,
Infelix humili gressu comitatur Egestas.

_Claudian. in Rufinum_ [Lib. I. vv. 35-6].

Behold what blessing[s] wealth to life can lend!

_Pope_ [Moral Essays, Ep. III. v. 297].

Blaney, a wealthy Heir, dissipated, and reduced to Poverty--His
Fortune restored by Marriage: again consumed--His Manner of living
in the West Indies--Recalled to a larger Inheritance--His more
refined and expensive Luxuries--His Method of quieting
Conscience--Death of his Wife--Again become poor--His Method of
supporting Existence--His Ideas of Religion--His Habits and
Connexions when old--Admitted into the Alms-House.