Economy in our affairs has the same effect upon our (10)
fortunes which good breeding has upon our conversations.
There is a pretending behaviour in both cases, which,
instead of making men esteemed, renders them both
miserable and contemptible. We had yesterday at Sir
Roger's, a set of country gentlemen who dined with him; (15)
and after dinner, the glass was taken by those who pleased
pretty plentifully. Among others, I observed a person of
a tolerable good aspect, who seemed to be more greedy
of liquor than any of the company; and yet, methought,
he did not taste it with delight. As he grew warm, he (20)
was suspicious of everything that was said; and as he
advanced towards being fuddled, his humour grew worse.
At the same time, his bitterness seemed to be rather an
inward dissatisfaction in his own mind than any dislike
he had taken to the company. Upon hearing his name,
I knew him to be a gentleman of a considerable fortune (112: 5)
in this county, but greatly in debt. What gives the unhappy
man this peevishness of spirit is, that his estate is
dipped,[68] and is eating out with usury;[69] and yet he has
not the heart to sell any part of it. His proud stomach,[70]
at the cost of restless nights, constant inquietudes, danger (10)
of affronts, and a thousand nameless inconveniences, preserves
this canker in his fortune, rather than it shall be
said he is a man of fewer hundreds a year than he has
been commonly reputed. Thus he endures the torment
of poverty, to avoid the name of being less rich. If you (15)
go to his house you see great plenty, but served in a
manner that shows it is all unnatural, and that the master's
mind is not at home. There is a certain waste and
carelessness in the air of everything, and the whole appears
but a covered indigence, a magnificent poverty. (20)
That neatness and cheerfulness which attends the table
of him who lives within compass, is wanting, and exchanged
for a libertine way of service in all about him.
[68] Mortgaged.
[69] Interest, not necessarily illegal interest.
[70] Disposition, spirit; not frequently used in this sense, as here,
with the adjective "proud."
This gentleman's conduct, though a very common way
of management, is as ridiculous as that officer's would be (25)
who had but few men under his command, and should
take the charge of an extent of country rather than of a
small pass. To pay for, personate,[71] and keep in a man's
hands a greater estate than he really has, is of all others[2]
the most unpardonable vanity, and must in the end reduce (113: 5)
the man who is guilty of it to dishonour. Yet, if we
look round us in any county of Great Britain, we shall
see many in this fatal error,--if that may be called by
so soft a name which proceeds from a false shame of
appearing what they really are,--when the contrary behavior (10)
would in a short time advance them to the condition
which they pretend to.
[71] Represent, keep up the appearance of owning.
Laertes has fifteen hundred pounds a year, which is
mortgaged for six thousand pounds; but it is impossible
to convince him that if he sold as much as would pay off (15)
that debt he would save four shillings in the pound, which
he gives for the vanity of being the reputed master of it.
Yet, if Laertes did this, he would perhaps be easier in his
own fortune; but then, Irus, a fellow of yesterday, who
has but twelve hundred a year, would be his equal. (20)
Rather than this shall be, Laertes goes on to bring well-born
beggars into the world, and every twelvemonth
charges his estate with at least one year's rent more by
the birth of a child.
Laertes and Irus are neighbours, whose way of living (25)
are[72] an abomination to each other. Irus is moved by the
fear of poverty, and Laertes by the shame of it. Though the
motive of action is of so near affinity in both, and may be
resolved into this, "That to each of them poverty is the
greatest of all evils," yet are their manners very widely
different. Shame of poverty makes Laertes launch into
unnecessary equipage, vain expense, and lavish entertainments; (114: 5)
fear of poverty makes Irus allow himself only
plain necessaries, appear without a servant, sell his own
corn, attend his labourers, and be himself a labourer.
Shame of poverty makes Laertes go every day a step
nearer to it, and fear of poverty stirs up Irus to make (10)
every day some further progress from it.
[72] Correct the English.
These different motives produce the excesses which
men are guilty of in the negligence of and provision for
themselves. Usury, stock-jobbing, extortion, and oppression
have their seed in the dread of want; and vanity, (15)
riot, and prodigality, from the shame of it: but both these
excesses are infinitely below the pursuit of a reasonable
creature. After we have taken care to command so much
as is necessary for maintaining ourselves in the order of
men suitable to our character, the care of superfluities is (20)
a vice no less extravagant[73] than the neglect of necessaries
would have been before.
[73] In what sense here used?
Certain it is that they are both out of[74] nature when she
is followed with reason and good sense. It is from this
reflection that I always read Mr. Cowley with the greatest (25)
pleasure. His magnanimity is as much above that of
other considerable men, as his understanding; and it is
a true distinguishing spirit in the elegant author who published
his works, to dwell so much upon the temper of
his mind and the moderation of his desires. By this
means he has rendered his friend as amiable as famous.
That state of life which bears the face of poverty with
Mr. Cowley's "great vulgar," is admirably described,[75] and (115: 5)
it is no small satisfaction to those of the same turn of desire,
that he produces the authority of the wisest men of
the best age of the world, to strengthen his opinion of the
ordinary pursuits of mankind.
[74] At variance with.
[75] Can you so paraphrase this sentence as to bring any clear meaning
out of it?
It would, methinks, be no ill maxim of life, if, (10)
according to that ancestor of Sir Roger whom I lately
mentioned, every man would point to himself what
sum he would resolve not to exceed. He might by
this means cheat himself into a tranquillity on this
side of that expectation, or convert what he should (15)
get above it to nobler uses than his own pleasures or
necessities.
This temper of mind would exempt a man from an
ignorant envy of restless men above him, and a more
inexcusable contempt of happy men below him. This (20)
would be sailing by some compass, living with some
design; but to be eternally bewildered in prospects of
future gain, and putting on unnecessary armour against
improbable blows of fortune, is a mechanic being,[76] which
has not good sense for its direction, but is carried on by (25)
a sort of acquired instinct towards things below our consideration
and unworthy our esteem.
[76] Steele's careless English again; recast the sentence so as to
express his meaning more correctly.
It is possible that the tranquillity I now enjoy at Sir
Roger's may have created in me this way of thinking,
which is so abstracted from the common relish[77] of the (116: 5)
world; but, as I am now in a pleasing arbour, surrounded
with a beautiful landscape, I find no inclination so strong
as to continue in these mansions, so remote from the
ostentatious scenes of life; and am, at this present writing,
philosopher enough to conclude, with Mr. Cowley,-- (10)
[77] So different from the common taste.
"If e'er ambition did my fancy cheat,
With any wish so mean as to be great,
Continue, Heaven, still from me to remove
The humble blessings of that life I love!" T.