'Tis to the hopeless every star appears
Like lamps in dark sepulchral vistas burning—
And every dew-tipp'd flower is gemm'd with tears!
Stray Leaves; or, Translations from the German Poets.
THE GATHERER
"I am but a Gatherer and disposer of other men's stuff."—Wotton.
The projector of one of the new canals, accompanied by two or three friends, was superintending the operations of the workmen, and frequently lamented the loss which the speculation was likely to occasion to him. He was mounted on horseback at the time, when the animal, suddenly becoming unruly, plunged, and threw his rider into the water. Being quickly rescued from his disagreeable situation, and safely landed on the bank, one of his companions begged to congratulate him on the happy change that had taken place in his fortune, "for have I not often told you (said the wit) that the canal would one day fill your pockets?"
A cube of gold, of little more than five inches on each side, contains the value of 10,000l. sterling.