296 literary olla. No. ix. -^"S' ^r. 



means the profefsion itself is liable to suffer though unde- 

 servedly. 



" Though I have described the land proprietor as unoc- 

 cupied, yet I would not be understood to mean that he 

 ihould be so : far from it ; every man in his station ought 

 to be employed ; and it is encumbent upon him to act in 

 bis sphere, for the good of society. The question is how 

 a mere country gentleman can employ himself properly ? 

 To be sure very many do not, but on the contra- 

 ry mifspend their time, and waste their fortunes, in frivo- 

 lous, and often in vicious pursuits. But are there no in- 

 nicent amusements, no rational occupations to be found in a 

 country life ? Are these confined to courts and great ci- 

 ties only, where there is a constant bustle and struggle to 

 get wealth and power, and then as constant a vying with 

 each other, how to d^faipate anH waste, what indeed, has 

 often been acqui ed by unwai ran able means. 



" Have ra ' nal creatures, or as the king of Prufsi^i de- 

 fines them, rather reasoning animals, nothing else to do here, 

 but to amafs wealth, lor their profligate giddy heirs to 

 throw away ? 



" But who then i^ he gentleman properly to be called 

 so ? The foundation of centility no doubt, is to be al- 

 lowed to consist in a great measure in wealth, and con- 

 tentment. It a moderate estate has been transmitted by 

 ancestors who could say they came fairly and honestly by 

 it, and looking round them, could see much greater o- 

 pulcnce without envy, because they beheld much greater 

 numbers in a far inferior situation, and so could say it 

 is enough, and more perhaps, than falls to my (hare, if 

 every one had his due, therefore I will spare as I ought 

 to some who deserve, but who have been denied the gifts 

 o fortune ; more ha* been bestowed upon me, than upon 

 many others of superior merit and endowments, so I ccn- 



