Whenever a man endeavours to live equal with one of a greater fortune
than himself, he is sure to share a like fate with the Frog in the
fable. How many vain people, of moderate easy circumstances, burst and
come to nothing, by vying with those whose estates are more ample than
their own? Sir Changeling Plumstock was possessed of a very considerable
estate, devolved to him by the death of an old uncle, who had adopted
him his heir. He had a false taste of happiness, and, without the least
economy, trusting to the sufficiency of his vast revenue, was resolved
to be outdone by nobody in showish grandeur and expensive living. He
gave five thousand pounds for a piece of ground in the country to set a
house upon; the building and furniture of which cost fifty thousand
more; and his gardens were proportionably magnificent. Besides which, he
thought himself under a necessity of buying out two or three tenements
which stood in his neighbourhood, that he might have elbow-room enough.
All this he could very well bear; and still might have been happy, had
it not been for an unfortunate view which he one day happened to take of
my Lord Castlebuilder's gardens, which consisted of twenty acres,
whereas his own were not above twelve. From that time he grew pensive;
and, before the ensuing winter, gave five and thirty years purchase for
a dozen acres more to enlarge his gardens; built a couple of exorbitant
greenhouses, and a large pavilion at the further end of a terrace-walk.
The bare repairs and superintendencies of all which call for the
remaining part of his income. He is mortgaged pretty deep, and pays
nobody; but, being a privileged person, resides altogether at a private
cheap lodging in the City of Westminster.