PART I. FOR A COUNTRY RESIDENCE. 677 



or residences all his life. This will prove an interesting source 

 of pleasure and instruction in old age. At that period of man's 

 life, memory is often incapable of retaining the operations of a 

 week or a day; while the actions of former years, and especially 

 of youth, remain indelible on the mind. Hence, by the assistance 

 of the eye — by looking upon what he accomplished many years 

 ago, the trees that he planted, or the fields that he improved, 

 or by frequenting the scenes of infancy, the most lively pic- 

 tures are realized, and are sure to entertain, where those of the 

 greatest painter or writer that ever lived would have no effect. 

 I may add, that a virtuous mind, taking into view the good 

 which he has done to society in these periods, will look back 

 on the past with complacency, and forward to the future with 

 hope. Unfortunately, there are few in high life who have it in 

 their power to experience these pleasures, which are without 

 doubt the greatest that old age can enjoy: yet still there are 

 some who, from sympathy, as well as a general knowledge of 

 human nature, can appreciate such pure enjoyments. 



4. Man is an animal formed for society; and whatever be his 

 love of nature,, or whatever kind of her productions he most ad- 

 mires, unless an enthusiastic connoisseur in one class of objects 

 only (and then he ceases to be a man of general taste) he will 

 never find his happiness complete without domestic enjoyments. 

 This may seem rather trifling to be mentioned here; but it 



