No. 214 - THE PENNY MAGAZINE - Aug. 1, 1835

Lord Burghleigh's Advice to his Son concerning Expense.--Touching the guiding of they house, let they hospitality be moderate; and according to the means of they estate, rather plentiful than sparing, but not costly. For I never knew any man grow poor by keeping an orderly table. But some consume themselves through secret vices, and their hospitality bears the blame. But banish swinish drunkeness out of thine house, which is a vice impairing health, consuming much, and makes no show. I never heard praise ascribed to the drunkard, but for the well-bearing of his drink; which is a better commendation for a brewer's horse, or a dray-man, than either for a gentleman or a servingman. Beware thou spend not above three of four parts of they revenues, nor above a third part of that in they house. For the other two parts will not do more than defray they extraordinaries, which always surmount the ordinary by much: otherwise thou shalt live, like a rich beggar, in continual want.--From 'ten precepts which William Lord Burghleigh, Lord High Treasurer of England, gave to his second Son Robert Cecil, afterwards Earl of Salisbury.'