ceremonies that with cumberous pomp ſupplied the place of domeſtic affections, I have turned to ſome other ſcene to relieve my eye by reſting it on the refreſhing green every where ſcattered by nature. I have then viewed with pleaſure a woman nurſing her children, and diſcharging the duties of her ſtation with, perhaps, merely a ſervant maid to take off her hands the ſervile part of the houſehold buſineſs. I have ſeen her prepare herſelf and children, with only the luxury of cleanlineſs, to receive her huſband, who returning weary home in the evening found ſmiling babes and a clean hearth. My heart has loitered in the midſt of the group, and has even throbbed with ſympathetic emotion, when the ſcraping of the well known foot has raiſed a pleaſing tumult.
Whilſt my benevolence has been gratified by contemplating this artleſs picture, I have thought that a couple of this deſcription, equally neceſſary and independent of each other, becauſe each fulfilled the reſpective duties of their ſtation, poſſeſſed all that life could give.—Raiſed ſufficiently above abject poverty not to be obliged to weigh the conſequence of every farthing they ſpend, and having ſufficient to prevent their attending to a frigid ſyſtem of economy, which narrows both heart and mind. I declare, ſo vulgar are my conceptions, that I know not what is wanted to render this the happieſt as well as the moſt reſpectable ſituation in the world, but a taſte for literature, to throw a little variety and intereſt into ſocial converſe, and ſome ſuperfluous money to give to the needy and to buy books. For it is
not
