FIFTH DAY. 155 



All I wish is to lie still, 



Settled in some secret nest. 



In calm leisure let me rest, 



And, far off the public stage, 



Pass away my silent age. 



Thus, when without noise, unknown, 



I have lived out all my span, 



I shall die without a groan 



An old honest countryman." 



I hold with the ancient, " Vita rustica sine 

 dubitatione, proximo, et quasi consanguinea 

 sapiential It was this which, in old times, 

 led the wisest and the best to abandon the 

 busy world, its strifes and jealousies, to 

 enjoy the " dry morsel and quiet." 



" Tranquillity, thou better name 

 Than all the family of Fame ! " 



But do not misunderstand me ; I abhor the 

 misanthrope who lives for himself alone ; and, 

 if I thought that by leading a country life, 

 I was denied the opportunity of being useful 

 to my fellow-man, I would abandon my 

 favourite haunts, and betake me to busier 

 scenes. Come, I will now lead you to a 



