RECAPITULATION. 387 



dear than a vain reputation. I had found this re- 

 treat, and this rare felicity, in Ruffia, in the midft 

 of honourable employment ; but I renounced all 

 thefe advantages, to go in queft, at the inftigation 

 of Miniflers, of employment, in my native Coun- 

 try, where I had nothing fimilar, after which to 

 afpire. Neverthelefs, I am enabled to fay, that 

 my particular ftudies have repaired the firft priva- 

 tion, in procuring for me the enjoyment not only 

 of a fmall fpot of ground, but of all the harmonies 

 difFufed over the vaft garden of Nature. An efti- 

 mable partner for life cannot be fo eafily replaced ; 

 but if I have reafon to flatter myfelf that this 

 Work is contributing to multiply marriages, to 

 render them more happy, and to foften the educa- 

 tion of children, I (hall confider my own family 

 as perpetuated in them, and I fliall look on the 

 wives and children of my Country, as, in fome 

 fenfe, mine. 



Nothing is durable, virtue alone excepted. Per- 

 fonal beauty pafles quickly away ; fortune infpires 

 extravagant inclinations ; grandeur fatigues j re- 

 putation is uncertain ; talents, nay, genius itfelf, 

 are liable to be impaired : but virtue is ever beau- 

 tiful, ever diverfified, ever equal, and ever vigo- 

 rous, becaufe it is refigned to all events, to priva- 

 tions as to enjoyments, to death as to life, 



c c 2 Happy 



