A companion print to bmsat 6907. Design in a circle inset in an oblong. A compass, inscribed 'fear god', its legs forming arcs of the circle, encloses the figure of a young man standing in a rural landscape; he points with his left hand to two sacks full of guineas at his feet. In the background is a harvest scene (left), a stream with a water-wheel (right), and in the distance a church (right) and windmill (left). Round the circle is inscribed 'keep within compass and you shall be sure, to avoid many troubles which others endure'. Beneath the circle, 'industry produceth wealth'. Beneath the design are four verses, the last:
'by honest & industrious means
you'll live a life of ease
then let the compass be your guide
and go where e'er you please. '
in the four corners of the oblong outside the circle are scenes showing the fatal results of an unrestrained life. (1) in the upper left corner a gambler is seated by a circular table on which are cards, dice, and an empty moneybag; he puts his hand to his forehead with a distraught expression. On the wall behind his head hang two pistols and through a window is seen a body hanging from a gibbet. (2) in the upper right corner a courtesan robs a young man who is in a drunken sleep; bottles and glasses are on a table. (3) in the lower left corner a ship drives upon rocks. (4) in the lower right corner three prisoners are seen through a barred window; on the wall is a pair of shackles. C. 1785
mezzotint with hand-colouring. Date: between 1784 and 1786. Dimensions: Height: 352 mm; Width: 250 mm. Medium: paper. Collection: British Museum. Keep within Compass and you shall be sure, to avoid many troubles which others endure (BM 1935,0522.3.62)
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