OCTOBER. 52() 



keeping up appearance ; the breathless expectancy, 

 and the insipid reality; wounded pride, active 

 envy, and jealous rank the whole exterior would 

 justify the suspicion, that education was given to 

 people, only to sharpen the ingenuity with which 

 they can make themselves miserable. I never quit 

 the house of a man where the style of life is at all 

 showy, or tending to it, without regretting the 

 folly that buys appearance at the expence of 

 ease. 



One of the great miseries of education in these 

 classes is, that little difference is found between 

 that for lOOOl. a-year and that for 20,OOOl. Mil- 

 lions of young men have every possible idea of 

 great expence given them, but with slender means 

 of gratifying the smallest. What ample prepara- 

 tion for future misery ! 



It may be supposed that a country gentleman has 

 every thing in his power which the farmer possesses^ 

 with the addition of a great many other enjoy- 

 ments. Physically speaking, he has; but as I would 

 judge of life not from theory, but by practice, we 

 must take a view of the generality of country gen- 

 tlemen, and examine if their desires be equally 

 gratified with those of the farmers ; for if they 

 pass their lives in wishing or struggling for what 

 they cannot attain, the inquiry is at an end with 

 farmers IT is NOT THUS: it is their view of plea- 

 sure, and their ambition, to enjoy securely the sys- 

 tem I have described ; and this system is very ge- 

 nerally within their reach. But with all ranks of* 



M m gentle- 



