'/^ THE RURAL SOCRATES. 



of their father's death. Eefidcs this, it was charged 

 •w^ith the payment of the younger brothers' fortunes. 

 One of thefe died foon after, and returned them a part ; 

 but by adding a payment to be made to the youngeft 

 icn, the debt flill amounted to 547l» 6s.—- This un- 

 doubtedly appeared a heavy incumbrance on fo fmall 

 an eftate ; and the neighboring farmers judged with 

 great probability, that our two brotTiers muft loon fink 

 under it. — Indeed, how could they fee any other prof- 

 ped in their hazardous fituation ? burthcned, as they 

 were, with the management of a farm, whole produce 

 znuft previoufly raife an annual rent-charge for the pay- 

 ment of intcreft ; and the land To impovcridied and ne- 

 gledted, that it feemed impoHiblc to bring it into con- 

 dition, unlefs at an immoderate expence. A family fo 

 circumftanced, where there were many to feed and few 

 to work, muft occafion great confumption, and afford 

 fmall alliflance towards the cultivation of a farm of 

 fuch extent. The neceffity of hiring laborers alfo ap- 

 peared indifpenfable, and the wages of fuch were great- 

 ly advanced from the manufadlures carried on in that 

 partoftlie country. — Such united obflacles, produced 

 that efFe<a on the mind of KHyogg which they ought, 

 but rarely do, produce : They animated him with rc- 

 folution to redouble his zeal and application to fur- 

 mount them. He reflcded on the bed manner of im- 

 proving the property, and purfued it with alacrity and 

 checrfulnefs. — Heaven beheld his perfevcrance with a 

 fmile of complacency ; and envy itfelf was forced t6 

 acknowledge, that our prudent cconomifV contrived, 

 without the aid of flrangers or contratSling frefh debts, 

 confiderably to augment his fortune. • His children arc 

 abundantly fupplied with food atid raiment ; the health 

 and vigor of their conftitution incrcafes ; and he has all 

 imaginable reaion to hope that they wilL in a few years, 

 be able to afTiil in rendering his labors ftill more fuc- 

 cefsful. Punduality in payment keeps his mind at eafe;; 

 9sA the overplus which \ih economy Aipplie*^ enables 

 * • him ■ 



