Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/380

 since Shakespeare's time; and nothing can make the metaphor more strong than the observing any theatrical performance spoiled by the great desire each performer shows of playing the top part. In the animal and vegetable world there would be full as much confusion as there is in human life, war not everything kept in its proper place—

The lowly hedge and humble shrub contribute to the varying, and consequently beautifying, the prospect, as well as the stately oak and lofty pine. Were all mankind contented to exert their own faculties for the common good, neither envying those who in any respect have a superiority over them, nor despising such as they think their inferiors, real happiness would be attainable, notwithstanding all that has been said on that subject; and the various humours and the different understandings with which human nature is supplied, would, instead of discord, produce such a harmony as would infallibly make the whole species happy. If every man who is possessed of a greater share of wit than is common, instead of insulting and satirizing others, would make use of his talents for the advantage and pleasure of the society to which he happens more particularly to belong; and they, instead of hating him for his superior parts, would, in return for the entertainment he affords them, exert all the abilities nature has given them for his use in common with themselves; what happiness would mankind enjoy, and who could complain of being miserable ? It was this care, tenderness, and benevolence to each other which made David and his amiable company happy; who, quite contrary to the rest of the world, for every trifling