CHAP. XXI.] 



THE FIFTH DAT* 



311 



man that was angry with himself because he was no taller ; 

 and of a woman that broke her looking-glass because it 



would not show 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 plenty ; 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 dogged neighbour, 

 w r ho was as rich as he, and had a wife as peevish and purse- 

 proud as the other : and this law-suit begot higher opposi- 

 tions, and actionable 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 punish- 

 ment ; because 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 beautiful 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 removed so often from one house 

 to another, replied, : ' It was to find content in some one of 

 them." But his friend, knowing his temper, told him, " If 



