On RICHES. 97 
is the reward of virtue, contentment muft go along with it ; 
and he that is contented, has a competence, or fomething better 
than a competence ; for many have this, and yet are not con- 
tented. I always underftood that a common foldier, of a fober 
character, might live upon fix-pence a day, and feel no pain of 
body or mind arifing from his having no more, and therefore 
that fix- pence a day was his competence. To me, a clean 
room, clean clothes, common food, with the liberty of walk- 
ing into the open fields, in fine weather, is competence. If to 
thefe I can add health, with fome opportunities of doing good 
to my neighbor, it is more than competence; it is virtuous in- 
dulgence. And as the kindnefs of providence is fhewn in the 
wonderful effects of cuftom and habit, the deprivation even of 
some of thefe, might not deprive me of the means of happinefs. 
The love of ease is as natural to the mind, as sleep is to the 
body ; whether in riches or poverty, both muff be exercifed, 
or they will decay. But can a wife man defire to be rich ? 
Great riches almoft unavoidably create numerous connexions and 
dependences. In little minds they produce care and inquie- 
tude, in the fame manner as great and incefiant motion difturb 
the harmony of the animal ceconomy, and throw us into fevers. 
“ Wealth is a flumbling-block to them that sacrifice unto it ; 
“ and every fool fhall be taken therewith.” 
Here in Mr. h**** we faw what a great fortune can pur- 
chafe when well employed. The compafs of mens wifhes, as 
founded in reafon and nature, is very narrow ; but fancy and 
opinion, which have no bounds, ever lead us into a fool’s pa- 
O radife ; 
