Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

An excellent Example of FRUGALITY.

IN the reign of King James the II. an eminent burgomaster of Amsterdam, having with much grief, observed the degeneracy which began to shew itself among the Dutch, and the excesses which were the issue of wealth and idleness, took this method to shew his countrymen the folly and danger of their prodigalities. He invited the whole magistracy (consisting of thirty six persons) and their ladies to dinner, which they made no doubt both for variety and delicacy, would be worthy both of him and them, but how great was their disappointment, when they saw the first course upon the board, consisting of apples boil'd in buttermilk, stock fish with turnips and carrots, red herrings, a lettice salad: and for drink, small beer: The master invited his guests to fall to, the ladies pleaded want of appetite; the men look'd like the young prophet, when they cried out death was in the pot, and till the table was clear'd, scarce a word was spoke. But then there appeared under every plate a scroll of verses, signifying, that such was the fare of their fore-fathers, when their city began first to thrive, and the states to have a name among the nations. The second course was then served up, which consisted of Butchers meat of every sort, roasted and boil'd: but all undisguised with the arts of cookery, and without any other sauce than what a good stomach was to supply. English beer and French wine were likewise added to the side-board: and when the table was cleared a second time, certain other verses presented themselves, by which the guests were informed, that, with regard to the wants of nature, these were luxuries; that it was the office of reason to regulate both the state and the appetite; that by living thus, they would leave both their wealth and their temperance to their heirs, who being used to such excellent examples, would blush to be thought degenerate by their children. The table was then spread with all manner of fish, and fowl, wild and tame, exquisitely dressed, and relished, with the most agreeable sauces, which were served up in plate, accompanied with wines of the finest growths of the Rhine, Moselle, champaign and burgandy, and followed with a poetical memorial, importing, that all beyond Enough was too much; that all beyond nourishment was luxury; and all beyond decency was extravagance; that intemperance had a smiling aspect, but a dreadful retinue, consisting of a composition of diseases that death had been their cook. and that he had infused a slow poison in every sauce. The last scroll seemed to strike a momentary damp on the spirits of the guests; which was soon forgot, on the appearance of a most magnificent desert, to which not only all Europe, but both the Indies had contributed, followed by several rich wines, and every other delicacy that wealth without bounds could purchase. After which the hand writing again denounced, that Luxury is to property what a plague is to health, that 'tis equally contagious, and equally destructive; that 'tis the disease of which the noblest monarchies, and most flourishing states have died; that when it became epidemical in a country depending on commerce, like theirs, a dissolution must inevitably follow; in consequence of which, the rich & renowned city of Amsterdam would again be reduced to a fishing village, and their posterity become poor as their ancestors were, without their continence, industry or virtue. This wise, seasonable and excellent admonition of this notable Burgomaster 'tis more than probable, had just as much effect at Amsterdam, as the repetition of them would have in London or Dublin. The rigor of them was perhaps, ridiculed by a few, the truth acknowledged by the majority, and the application neglected by all: So powerful is reason in the field, so insignificant are the fruits of her victories.