6 INTRODUCTION. 



as possible to the ruling fashion of the day, he is still liable, 

 whilst among such numbers, to incur displeasure. 



In the country, however, it is otherwise : there, a gentle- 

 man may live with his family upon his own estate, free from 

 the intrusion, bustle, and discord, which prevail in public cities. 

 In place of the risk and uncertainties of commerce, he enjoys 

 the less fleeting products of the soil. His hours are devoted 

 to the pleasure of cultivating his fields, gardens, and planta- 

 tions, and in promoting the happiness and prosperity of an in- 

 dustrious peasantry. In this way he enjoys the society of his 

 own amiable family : — his improvements give bread and com- 

 fort to the poor; while he selects his particular friends, and 

 renders all around him smiling, comfortable, and happy. 



But without saying any thing more on the pleasures and 

 advantages of a rural life, I shall proceed to make some re- 

 marks on the nature of a country residence, and on the plan 

 of this work. 



The wants of man, even when in a low state of civilization, 

 are such, that no one spot of nature is sufficient to supply 

 them. If he take up his residence in a forest, he must have 

 recourse to the open country for pasturage for his cattle, or for 

 the cultivation of grain* This, from obvious reasons, he would 



