characters disgraced by an ill-judged savingness in some insignificant particulars, and by a want of ease and propriety, in trifling expences.

If people have any esteem for frugality, they should try to do it honour by showing, that it is not inconsistent with a becoming and a generous spirit. I have heard very many people accused of covetousness, and generally hated, under that odious character, who perhaps had no principle of that kind, and who threw away, often, as much upon foolish expences, that had not struck them in the saving view, as they pinched out of others, which made them look paltry and mean in the eyes of the world. Few people, I believe, are heartily covetous throughout: and this makes it so easy for them to flatter themselves, that they are not tainted at all with a vice, the very notion of which would affront them: and for those in the other extreme, they too deceive theselves in the same sort. Whence comes the old proverb,

Penny wise and Pound foolish.

ESSAY VI.

On the Importance of Riches.

THERE are a great many things, that sound mighty well in the declamatory way, and yet have no sort of truth or justness, in them. The equality between poverty and riches, or rather, the superior advantages of the former, is a pretty philosophical paradox, that I could never comprehend. I will grant very readily, that the short sleeps of a labouring man, are full as sweet and wholesome as the slumbers indulged upon down beds, and under gilded roofs. I will readily confess, that let people have never so many apartments, they can be but in one at a time: and in a word, that the luxury and pageantry, that riches bring with them, is despicable, and infinitely less eligible, than the simplicity of plainer life. It must be owned too, that greatness and fortune, place people in the midst of innumerable difficulties; and that they are severely accountable for all those advantages, they neglect to improve. But so, indeed, a man is a more accountable

creature than a hog: and yet none but a Gryllus, I believe, would prefer the situation of the latter.

I do not say, that people should upon all occasions, put themselves forward, and aspire to those dangerous heights, which perhaps, they were never formed to ascend. The fable of Phaeton would be much more instructive than such a lesson as this: but I would say, and say it loudly, to all, whom heaven has placed already in the midst of riches and honours, that they possess the highest privilege, and ought to exert themselves accordingly. These people have advantages of improving their being to the noblest purposes: and with the same degree of pains and application, that furnishes the poor artificer a daily provision for himself, and his family, they may become a kind of beneficent angels to their fellowcreatures, and enjoy themselves, a happiness superior to all pleasure.

It is a pretty thought of Seneca, that as a merchant, whose goods are considerable, is more sensible of the blessing of a fair wind, and a safe passage, than he that has only ballast, or some coarse commodity in the vessel so life is differently enjoyed by men, according to the different freight of their minds. Those

of indigent fortunes are generally obliged to have their's too much filled, with an attention to provide the low necessaries of life. Indeed riches and greatness are as strong an obstacle as the other, to spending life in theory and speculation: but it is, however nobler, and a more delightful task to provide for the general good of multitudes, than for the subsistence of as few individuals. I speak of what riches might be God knows, not of what they are.

The rich, the great, who act an insignificant part in life, are the most despicable wretches of the whole creation while the poor, the mean, the despised part of mankind, who live up to the height of their capacity and opportunities, are noble, venerable, and happy.

Is it not amazing, that creatures so fond of pre-eminence and distinction, so biassed by interest, so dazzled by fortune, as all the race of men are, should so blindly trample under foot the only true advantages of fortune? The only pre-eminence, the only honour, the highest joy, the brightest lustre, that all those gay things they pursue, could bestow upon them? Where is the beauty to be found, that will choose to waste her youth where no eye can behold her? Where is the man of wit that

will sit down contented with his own admiration, and lock up his papers in a chest for his own private reading? Yet the covetous man, as far as in him lies, conceals the advantage he is fondest of, and puts himself, as much as possible, upon a level with that poverty he despises. Good Heaven! that people should not rather choose to lay hold on every honest means, that can raise them into a kind of superior being. Who would not go through toil, and pain, and danger, to attain so glorious a pre-eminence, an honour beyond the Olympic crown of old. And yet it is but at the expence of a little openness of heart, a little thought and contrivance, a little honest generous industry in bestowing properly, that a man of rank and fortune may shine out like the sun, and see a gay world flourishing under his cheerful influence.

All these things have been said a hundred times. The miser has been painted in all his unamiable colours: and the prodigal has had his lecture too. But still, methinks, there is a great deal wanting, and I do not know how to express it. The indolent, the thoughtless people of fortune, want to be put in mind of their own importance. Some are so lazy, some so careless, and some even so humble,