

64 



LETTER VIL 



Merton Hall, August 18, 1813. 



SINCERITY is a disposition of the mind more 

 valued in the abstract than regarded in its exer- 

 cise. All profess it in their dealings with others, 

 and affect it with themselves. The last half 

 hour has been occupied in forging excuses to 

 justify my acceptance of a compliment from the 

 yeomanry of the district. Before I was dressed, 

 a detachment had arrived, composed of the 

 most respectable farmers of the country, dressed 

 in their uniforms, to attend me on our farming 

 inspection. As it was intended to show their 

 approbation of my agricultural management 

 and transactions, it could not be otherwise than 

 gratifying to my feelings, and my sincerity con- 

 ceded so much to my pride. To refuse the 

 honour proposed would have been uncourteous, 

 I might say ungracious: in accepting it, I 

 hazarded being thought ostentatious. Wise 

 people, like yourself, would have been under 

 no difficulty. You would have declined the 

 civility^ I confess I could not practise such 

 self-denial as to refuse a treat from strangers, 

 which was too flattering to be unpleasant. 



