The two latter Sort are
not to be easily instructed and made good; and as it is not in my
Power to punish them otherwise than by despising them, as all good
People do, I shall here neglect to characterize them further.
The brave Men who at Fires are active and speedy with their
best Advice and Example, or the Labour of their Hands, are uppermost
in my Thoughts. This kind of Industry seems to me a great Virtue.
He that is afraid to leave a warm Bed, and to walk in the Dark, and
to dawb or tear his Clothes or his Skin; He that makes no Difference
between Virtue and Vice, and takes no Pleasure in Hospitality; and He
that cares not who suff ers, if he himself gains by it, or suffers
not; will not any one of them, be industriously concern'd (if their
own Dwellings are out of Danger) in preserving from devouring Flames
either private or publick Buildings.
But how pleasing must it be to a thinking Man to observe, that
not a Fire happens in this Town, but soon after it is seen and cry'd
out, the Place is crowded by active Men of different Ages,
Professions and Titles; who, as of one Mind and Rank, apply
themselves with all Vigilance and Resolution, according to their
Abilities, to the hard Work of conquering the increasing Fire. Some
of the chiefest in Authority, and numbers of good Housekeepers, are
ever ready, not only to direct but to labour, and are not seen to
shun Parts or Places the most hazardous; and Others who having scarce
a Coat in the World besides that on their Backs, will venture that,
and their Limbs, in saving of Goods surrounded with Fire, and in
rending off flaming Shingles.
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