There are, I think, sentiments in the following letter
from my friend Captain Sentry, which discover a rational
and equal frame of mind, as well prepared for an advantageous
as an unfortunate change of condition.
"Coverley Hall, Nov. 15, (213: 5)
"Worcestershire.
"Sir,
"I am come to the succession of the estate of my honoured
kinsman, Sir Roger de Coverley; and I assure you I find it no
easy task to keep up the figure of master of the fortune which (10)
was so handsomely enjoyed by that honest, plain man. I cannot
(with respect to the great obligations I have, be it spoken) reflect
upon his character, but I am confirmed in the truth which I have,
I think, heard spoken at the club; to wit, that a man of a warm
and well-disposed heart, with a very small capacity, is highly (15)
superior in human society to him who, with the greatest talents,
is cold and languid in his affections.
"But, alas! why do I make a difficulty in speaking of my worthy
ancestor's failings? His little absurdities and incapacity for the
conversation[155] of the politest men are dead with him, and his
greater qualities are even now useful to him. I know not whether
by naming those disabilities I do not enhance his merit, since (214: 5)
he has left behind him a reputation in his country which would be
worth the pains of the wisest man's whole life to arrive at.
[155] The society of.
* * * * *
"But, indeed, my chief business at this time is to represent to
you my present state of mind, and the satisfactions I promise to
myself in the possession of my new fortune. I have continued all (10)
Sir Roger's servants, except such as it was a relief to dismiss into
little beings[156] within my manor. Those who are in a list of the
good knight's own hand to be taken care of by me, I have quartered
upon such as have taken new leases of me, and added so
many advantages during the lives of the persons so quartered, that (15)
it is the interest of those whom they are joined with, to cherish
and befriend them upon all occasions.
[156] Livings.
"I find a considerable sum of ready money, which I am laying
out among my dependants at the common interest, but with a
design to lend it according to their merit, rather than according (20)
to their ability. I shall lay a tax upon such as I have highly
obliged, to become security to me for such of their own poor youth,
whether male or female, as want help towards getting into some
being in the world.[157] I hope I shall be able to manage my affairs
so as to improve my fortune every year by doing acts of kindness. (25)
I will lend my money to the use of none but indigent men, secured
by such as have ceased to be indigent by the favour of my family or
myself. What makes this the more practicable is, that if they will
do any one good with my money, they are welcome to it upon their
own security: and I make no exception against it, because the (30)
persons who enter into the obligations, do it for their own family.
I have laid out four thousand pounds this way, and it is not to be
imagined what a crowd of people are obliged by it. In cases where
Sir Roger has recommended, I have lent money to put out[158] children,
with a clause which makes void the obligation in case the infant[159]
dies before he is out of his apprenticeship; by (215: 5) which
means the kindred and masters are extremely careful of breeding him to
industry, that he may repay it himself by his labour, in three years'
journey-work after his time is out, for the use of his securities.[160]
Opportunities of this kind are all that have occurred since I came to
my estate; but I assure you I will preserve a constant disposition (10)
to catch at all the occasions I can to promote the good and
happiness of my neighbourhood.
[157] Getting their living in some way.
[158] Apprentice.
[159] A minor, one not twenty-one years of age.
[160] Those who have given security for him. But it is difficult to
get any precise meaning from the sentence--another instance of
Steele's carelessness of expression.
"But give me leave to lay before you a little establishment which
has grown out of my past life, that I doubt not will administer
great satisfaction to me in that part of it, whatever that is, (15)
which is to come.
"There is a prejudice in favour of the way of life to which a man
has been educated, which I know not whether it would not be
faulty to overcome. It is like a partiality to the interest of one's
own country before that of any other nation. It is from an habit (20)
of thinking, grown upon me from my youth spent in arms, that I
have ever held gentlemen who have preserved modesty, good-nature,
justice and humanity in a soldier's life, to be the most
valuable and worthy persons of the human race. To pass through
imminent dangers, suffer painful watchings, frightful alarms, and (25)
laborious marches for the greater part of a man's time, and pass
the rest in a sobriety conformable to the rules of the most virtuous
civil life, is a merit too great to deserve the treatment it usually
meets with among the other part of the world. But I assure you,
sir, were there not very many who have this worth, we could never (30)
have seen the glorious events which we have in our days. I need not
say more to illustrate the character of a soldier than to tell you he
is the very contrary to him you observe loud, saucy, and overbearing,
in a red coat about town. But I was going to tell you that, in honour
of the profession of arms, I have set apart a certain sum (216: 5)
of money for a table for such gentlemen as have served their country
in the army, and will please from time to time to sojourn all or any
part of the year, at Coverley. Such of them as will do me that
honour shall find horses, servants, and all things necessary for their
accommodation and enjoyment of all the conveniences of life in a (10)
pleasant, various[161] country. If Colonel Camperfelt be in town, and
his abilities are not employed another way in the service, there is no
man would be more welcome here. That gentleman's thorough knowledge
in his profession, together with the simplicity of his manners
and goodness of his heart, would induce others like him to honour (15)
my abode; and I should be glad my acquaintance would take themselves
to be invited or not, as their characters have an affinity to his.
[161] Varied.
"I would have all my friends know that they need not fear
(though I am become a country gentleman) I will trespass against
their temperance and sobriety. No, sir, I shall retain so much of (20)
the good sentiments for the conduct of life which we cultivated in
each other at our club, as to contemn all inordinate pleasures; but
particularly remember, with our beloved Tully,[162] that the delight in
food consists in desire, not satiety. They who most passionately
pursue pleasure, seldomest arrive at it. Now I am writing to a (25)
philosopher, I cannot forbear mentioning the satisfaction I took in
the passage I read yesterday in the same Tully. A nobleman of
Athens made a compliment to Plato the morning after he had
supped at his house: 'Your entertainments do not only please
when you give them, but also the day after.' (30)
[162] Marcus Tullius Cicero.
"I am, my worthy friend,
"Your most obedient, humble servant,
"William Sentry." T.