17^3. art of life ^ — economy. 95 



When I did obtain this manor from Sir Ralph 

 Rowlet, I found it Indeed rich in soil, as having 

 bten long manured by wealthy churchmen, and a- 

 bounding in orchyard, but otherwise, from neglect, 

 fallen into rank, and Ubclefs vegetation. 



1 did therefore set myself first to prepare a plain 

 but commodious dwellmg for myself, and for my 

 servants, and hyndes, and then as now to increase 

 both the fertility and amenity of the fields. 



But in all this I have been gradual, and have es- 

 pended no more than 1 was used to do upon other 

 divertisements, which were now supplanted by the 

 sweeter and more profitable divertisements of the 

 country. And now, my son, since I am upon the 

 right ordering of espence, and that we have occasion 

 of leisure, I will dilate a little to you, and to your 

 friend Rawley, on this great and important particu- 

 lar of the art of life, without which all other parti- 

 culars are vain and uselefs, and do end but in 

 trouble and in vexation of spirit. 



The first great maxim of economy is, that a man 

 in any degree above the lowest, fliould consider 

 that his ordinary expences, as relating to the mouth, 

 wardrobe, and equipage, do bear but a small propor- 

 tion unto extraordinaries which cannot so well bear 

 calculation, and are always estimated much below 

 their outgoings ; so that at the last many men for- 

 bear looking into their real estates and situations, 

 not so much from culpable negligence, as from 

 thinking thereby to bring themselves into melan- 

 choly, in respect that they fhall find them bro- 

 ken. 



