Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/89

Rh, love their fellow-creatures, and wiſh for a return; nor will they, for the ſake of a brutiſh gratification, loſe the eſteem of thoſe they value. Beſides, no one can be reckoned virtuous who has not learned to bear poverty: yet thoſe who think much of gratifying their appetites, will at laſt act meanly in order to indulge them. But when any employment of the underſtanding, or ſtrong affection occupies the mind, eating is ſeldom thought a matter of greater importance than it ought to be. Let the idle think of their meals; but do you employ the intermediate time in a different manner, and only enjoy them when you join the ſocial circle. I like to ſee children, and even men, eat chearfully, and gratefully receive the bleſſings ſent by Heaven; yet I would not have them abuſe thoſe blessings, or ever let the care neceſſary to ſupport the body injure the immortal ſpirit: many think of the ſuſtenance the former craves, and entirely neglect the latter.

I remarked to you before, that in the moſt apparently trivial concerns, we are to Rh