The Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent. A Poem, addressed to a friend, with other pieces

"The Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent" by James Parkerson is an early 19th-century poem that explores the devastating effects of financial ruin and poor choices through the eyes of a man who has lost everything. The poem reveals a story of excessive living and bad decisions, leading the narrator down a path of despair and disgrace as he deals with the legal consequences. The poem serves as a warning about the dangers of vice, showing how one person's actions can deeply affect their family, especially the loyal wife who suffers because of her husband's recklessness. It also sheds light on how society views people in debt, but offers a glimmer of hope in the possibility of redemption and a fresh start under the law.