A transfer-printed scene in a disorderly public house illustrates Ben Franklin's thoughts...

A transfer-printed scene in a disorderly public house illustrates Ben Franklin's thoughts on responsibility and the temptation of vices. A morality tale unfolds as one patron stands addressing another propped up against the wall smoking, hat forgotten on the floor, tankard overturned. Closer examnation reveals that the potter has illustrated two maxims in this scene. In the background, a woman with two children stands in the doorway while the unfortunate slouching subject of the advice demonstrates multiple vices. 

The unknown potter has framed the black transfer scene with a subtle basketweave border reminiscent of creamware and stoneware borders of the preceeding century.

The Franklin's maxims read: "What maintains one vice would bring up two children""It is ea...

The Franklin's maxims read:
"What maintains one vice would bring up two children"
"It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow."

"Poor Richard's Way To Wealth" refers to Franklin's essay, "The Way To Wealth" written in 1758, the year he ceased publication of Poor Richard's Almanac. The essay is something of a grand finale summary of Poor Richard's maxims. In the essay, a Father Abraham holds forth on current affairs stringing together a litany of the maxims which had been published over the preceding twenty five years.