chap, xxi.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 251 



thus, when we might be happy and quiet, we create 

 trouble to ourselves. I have heard of a man that 

 was angry with himself because he was no taller ; 

 and of a woman that broke her looking-glass be- 

 cause it would not shew her face to be as young 

 and handsome as her next neighbour's was. And I 

 knew another, to whom God had given health, and 

 plentv ; but a wife, that nature had made peevish, 

 and her husband's riches had made purse-proud, 

 and must, because she was rich, and for no other 

 virtue, sit in the highest pew in the church ; which 

 being denied her, she engaged her husband into a 

 contention for it ; and, at last, into a law-suit with 

 a docked neighbour, who was as rich as he, and 

 had a wife as peevish and purse-proud as the other : 

 and this law-suit begot higher oppositions, and ac- 

 tionable words, and more vexations and law-suits ; 

 for you must remember, that both were rich, and 

 must therefore have their wills. Well, this wilful, 

 purse-proud law-suit, lasted during the life of the 

 first husband ; after which his wife vexed and chid, 

 and chid and vexed, till she also chid and vexed 

 herself into her grave : and so the wealth of these 

 poor rich people was curst into a punishment ; be- 

 cause they wanted meek and thankful hearts ; for 

 those only can make us happy. I knew a man that 

 had health and riches, and several houses, all beau- 

 tiful and ready furnished, and would often trouble 

 himself and family to be removing from one house 

 to another : and being asked by a friend, Why he 



