The man who has been brought up in ease and affluence, and pampered and
anticipated in all his wants, little imagines what a figure he would
make in the world, were his supplies cut off, and he were put to the
trial to rub through its thorny mazes, and provide for himself. The
children of the poor industrious honest man, when brought up like their
parents, are put to a kind of school, such as the opulent it is feared
can seldom form any conception of; and if the former, by their industry
and abilities, rise above poverty, their enjoyments in life commonly
surpass those who have been, without effort, upheld in every real as
well as imaginary want. The sensible poor man does not trouble his head
about his pedigree, but he knows that his descent must of course be as
ancient as that of any man on earth; and that if he is respected in the
world, it must arise solely from his own good conduct and merit. The
man who has nothing to boast but the merely tracing back his ancestry,
is building upon a hollow foundation. If indeed his ancestry have
arisen to their high station by patriotic and virtuous means, and have
deservedly maintained a high character for probity, worth, and honour,
let him follow their example: if otherwise, all he can do or say will
only prove him to be a mongrel, or an ass.
“The pride of family is all a cheat,
“’Tis personal merit only makes us great.”
[Illustration] [Page 47]