ference to the individual pleasure or improvement of the retired man himself.

I. The first instance I shall specify is that of agriculture. The employment of a farmer, as it has been observed by many writers, is evidently the nexus or middle link between the savage and civilized state of mankind, who, if we except a few scattered tribes that derive their subsistence from the sea, or from the produce of their flocks, must be content to roam in the desert in quest of food, unless they find a more regular provision in the labours of husbandry. It is therefore on these labours that we essentially depend, if not for the bare support of life, at least for whatever can render life comfortable; for all those numerous and useful arts, those literary and benevolent institutions, which owe their birth to civil society, and which tend to its farther improvement. Hence the country gentleman who resides constantly upon his estate, and endeavours by an attention to

the best methods of culture to raise the greatest possible supply for human sustenance, is worthy to be honoured as a public benefactor. While he pastures his flocks and his herds, or ploughs his glebe, he not only affords employment to the peasant, but promotes manufactures, encourages learning, diffuses civility and humanity, and, in general, strengthens the foundations of social life. Compare him with those of his rank who exchange the healthy abodes of their fathers, with every manly occupation, for the smoke of cities, and the haunts of gambling, dissipation, and lewdness; who prefer the mimicries of art to all the original beauties of nature, and had rather cultivate the barren smiles of a courtier than their hereditary acres : compare him, I say, with such men, and his merits will appear still more conspicuous, and deserving of public gratitude.

II. The next instance I shall notice respects the cultivation of a neighbourly disposition and conduct. Plutarch tells us,

in his life of Themistocles, that this noble Greek, having a farm to dispose of, advertised it with this recommending circumstance, that it was provided with a good neighbour. This advantage, which it seems was at that time of no small account, has not since diminished in its value; and it is an advantage which the retired man afford in each of these two ways; first, by his knowledge and humanity; and, secondly, by his piety.

may

+

A retired man, with that general knowledge which so much becomes every person of leisure and fortune, and with that practical benevolence which becomes him still more, may be of various service in his vicinity. By an acquaintance with agricultural improvements he may suggest useful hints how to manage a farm to the best advantage, to a less-informed and industrious neighbour; or, by a degree of medical skill, may contribute to his health. He may prevent disputes and litigation, or by his amicable interference and legal

knowledge help to bring them to the speediest issue; and in many other ways, too obvious to be here enumerated, by a proper application of his fortune and influence, he may add much to the peace and comfort of those around him.

If he is a man of piety, his usefulness may be more extended. Good sense and humanity can only act within a temporal sphere; they may prudently advise, and reach out a helping hand amidst many of the difficulties of life, and by a friendly sympathy soften many of its ordinary evils ; but there are graver exigencies, when nothing short of the counsels and aids of Christianity can minister any real and permanent relief. And in the present sinful and calamitous state of the world, there are probably few situations within whose circuit, however narrow or sequestered, such an exigency may not be found; wherein there is not some mind so overwhelmed with misfortune, so excruciated with guilt, or pining in despondence, as to render all

human consolation vain, and all human redress utterly incompetent. Under such grievances to afford any effectual succour by an application of higher remedies, were it only in a single instance, would be enough to exempt the retirement of a good man from the charge of inutility.

III. A retired man of letters, if he has a son, may find much useful employment in the care of his education. He may himself assume the office of domestic tutor, and thus avoid the necessity of committing him into the hands of persons who have no natural interest in his welfare, or of exposing him to the contagion of those vices which are almost inseparable from great schools. Besides, by this domestic tuition, a considerable portion of that time, which, according to the routine of what is called a classical education, is consumed in the barren study of words, the fictions of poets, or the vanities of heathen mythology, may be employed in the cultivation of his reason, and the ac

1