KEEP WITHIN COMPASS.

DateNovember 9, 1784

Publisher Carington Bowles (1724 - 1793)

Attributed to Robert Dighton (1752-1814)

OriginEngland, London

MediumLine engraving and mezzotint with period hand color

DimensionsOH: 14 1/4" x OW: 10 1/4"; Plate H: 14" x W: 9 7/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1958-629,2

DescriptionThe upper cartouche reads: "KEEP WITHIN/ COMPASS."

The circle around the central figure reads: "KEEP WITHIN COMPASS AND YOU WILL BE SURE TO AVOID MANY TROUBLES WHICH OTHERS ENDURE."

The lower cartouche reads: "INDUSTRY/ PRODUCETH WEALTH."

The lower margin reads: "Published as the Act directs 9 Nov.r 1784./ Printed for & Sold by CARINGTON BOWLES,/ N.o 69 in S.t Pauls Church Yard, LONDON./ Shun Cards & Dice if you wou'd thrive,/ Some other Course pursue,/ For Gaming will disturb your mind,/ And waste your substance too./ The Whore with all her borrow'd charms,/ More easy to deceive you,/ Will fawn & flatter, make you drink,/ Next rob & then she'll leave you./ Attempt according to your strength,/ Close by the Shore to keep,/ 'Tis safer than to hoist up Sails,/ And plunge into the deep./ By honest and industrious means/ You'll live a life of ease,/ Then let the Compass be your guide,/ And go where e'er you please."

Lower left corner: "543"
Label TextThe compass is contained within a circle. A young man stands between its open points. Two sacks full of guineas are at his feet. In the background, a harvest scene, a stream with a waterwheel, and a church and windmill are seen. Around the circle is inscribed the following: "KEEP WITHIN COMPASS AND YOU SHALL BE SURE, TO AVOID MANY TROUBLES WHICH OTHERS ENDURE." Four scenes decorate the corners with examples of vices to be fallen into. In the upper left, a gambler is seated at a table with cards, dice, and an empty money-bag. Through a window behind him a doby can be seen hanging from a gibbet. The upper right shows a prostitute robbing a young man who has fallen into drunken slumber . The lower left shows a ship driven upon the rocks. The lower right shows three prisoners through a barred window.
ProvenanceNot known.