Another Go at James

I keep returning to James Horn, Sr., trying to see if I can nail down any details about him beyond what we already know. Working out who his parents were …

The Merchant’s Creed

Looking through the transcript of Elizabeth (1829-1874) Horn’s diary, there is a short piece of verse -“keen satire” as she describes it- written by James Horn Senior, purportedly in the year 1800:

The Merchant’s Creed

Fear thous no God – regard no man-

But money get what way you can.

Cheat – coax- and lie with double grace –

Deceive your brother to his face.

When bad your ware, be sure to cry,

“So good you nowhere else can buy!”

Thus pass yourself for a fair dealer –

Of neighbor’s faults a cheap retailer.

No soft sensations ever feel –

‘Gainst all remorse your conscience steal,

Ne’er stop at aught to gain the sum –

Ne’er rest content without a plum –

Nor grudge at last to go to Hell –

Your friends will say “You have died well.”

James Horn Senior