verley; he was in his dealings as
punctual as a tradesman and as generous as a gentleman. He would have
thought himself as much undone by breaking his word, as if it were to be
followed by bankruptcy. He served his country as knight of this shire
to his dying day. He found it no easy matter to maintain an integrity
in his words and actions, even in things that regarded the offices which
were incumbent upon him, in the care of his own affairs and relations
of life, and therefore dreaded (though he had great talents) to go
into employments of state, where he must be exposed to the snares of
ambition. Innocence of life and great ability were the distinguishing
parts of his character; the latter, he had often observed, had led to
the destruction of the former, and used frequently to lament that great
and good had not the same signification. He was an excellent husbandman,
but had resolved not to exceed such a degree of wealth; all above it he
bestowed in secret bounties many years after the sum he aimed at for
his own use was attained. Yet he did not slacken his industry, but to
a decent old age spent the life and fortune which was superfluous to
himself, in the service of his friends and neighbours."

Here we were called to dinner, and Sir Roger ended the discourse of
this gentleman, by telling me, as we followed the servant, that this his
ancestor was a brave man, and narrowly escaped being killed in the
civil wars; "For," said he, "he was sent out of the field upon a private
message, the day before the battle of Worcester." The whim of narrowly
escaping by having been within a day of danger, with other matters above
mentioned, mixed with good sense, left me at a loss whether I was more
delighted with my friend's wisdom or simplicity.

A COUNTRY SUNDAY.

I am always very well pleased with a country Sunday, and think, if
keeping holy the seventh day were only a human institution, it would be
the best method that could have been thought of for the polishing and
civilizing of mankind. It is certain the country people would soon
degenerate into a kind of savages and barbarians, were there not such
frequent returns of a stated time, in which the whole village meet
together with their best faces, and in their cleanliest habits, to
converse with one another upon indifferent subjects, hear their duties
explained to them, and join together in adoration of the Supreme Being.
Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week, no