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re generally awaked in the morning by music； and on fine days rode a hunting。 The hours between breakfast and dinner the ladies devoted to dress and study： they usually read a page； and then gazed at themselves in the glass； which even philosophers might own often presented the page of greatest beauty。 At dinner my wife took the lead； for as she always insisted upon carving every thing herself； it being her mother's way； she gave us upon these occasions the history of every dish。 When we had dined； to prevent the ladies leaving us； I generally ordered the table to be removed； and sometimes； with the music master's assistance； the girls would give us a very agreeable concert。 Walking out； drinking tea； country dances； and forfeits； shortened the rest of the day； without the assistance of cards； as I hated all manner of gaming； except backgammon； at which my old friend and I sometimes took a two…penny hit。 Nor can I here pass over an ominous circumstance that happened the last time we played together： I only wanted to fling a quatre； and yet I threw deuce ace five times running。 Some months were elapsed in this manner； till at last it was thought convenient to fix a day for the nuptials of the young couple； who seemed earnestly to desire it。 During the preparations for the wedding； I need not describe the busy importance of my wife； nor the sly looks of my daughters： in fact； my attention was fixed on another object； the completing a tract which I intended shortly to publish in defence of my favourite principle。 As I looked upon this as a master…piece both for argument and style； I could not in the pride of my heart avoid shewing it to my old friend Mr Wilmot； as I made no doubt of receiving his approbation； but not till too late I discovered that he was most violently attached to the contrary opinion； and with good reason； for he was at that time actually courting a fourth wife。 This； as may be expected； produced a dispute attended with some acrimony； which threatened to interrupt our intended alliance： but on the day before that appointed for the ceremony； we agreed to discuss the subject at large。 It was managed with proper spirit on both sides： he asserted that I was heterodox； I retorted the charge： he replied； and I rejoined。 In the mean time； while the controversy was hottest； I was called out by one of my relations； who； with a face of concern； advised me to give up the dispute； at least till my son's wedding was over。 'How；' cried I； 'relinquish the cause of truth； and let him be an husband； already driven to the very verge of absurdity。 You might as well advise me to give up my fortune as my argument。' 'Your fortune；' returned my friend； 'I am now sorry to inform you； is almost nothing。 The merchant in town； in whose hands your money was lodged； has gone off； to avoid a statute of bankruptcy； and is thought not to have left a shilling in the pound。 I was unwilling to shock you or the family with the account till after the wedding： but now it may serve to moderate your warmth in the argument； for； I suppose； your own prudence will enforce the necessity of dissembling at least till your son has the young lady's fortune secure。''Well；' returned I； 'if what you tell me be true； and if I am to be a beggar； it shall never make me a rascal； or induce me to disavow my principles。 I'll go this moment and inform the company of my circumstances； and as for the argument； I even here retract my former concessions in the old gentleman's favour； nor will I allow him now to be an husband in any sense of the expression。'
It would be endless to describe the different sensations of both families when I divulged the news of our misfortune； but what others felt was slight to what the lovers appeared to endure。 Mr Wilmot； who seemed before sufficiently inclined to break off the match； was by this blow soon determined： one virtue he had in perfection； which was prudence； too often the only one that is left us at seventy…two。
CHAPTER 3
A migration。 The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found at last to be of our own procuring
The only hope of our family now was； that the report of our misfortunes might be malicious or premature： but a letter from my agent in town soon came with a confirmation of every particular。 The loss of fortune to myself alone would have been trifling； the only uneasiness I felt was for my family； who were to be humble without an education to render them callous to contempt。
Near a fortnight had passed before I attempted to restrain their affliction； for premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow。 During this interval； my thoughts were employed on some future means of supporting them； and at last a small Cure of fifteen pounds a year was offered me in a distant neighbourhood； where I could still enjoy my principles without molestation。 With this proposal I joyfully closed； having determined to encrease my salary by managing a little farm。
Having taken this resolution； my next care was to get together the wrecks of my fortune； and all debts collected and paid； out of fourteen thousand pounds we had but four hundred remaining。 My chief attention therefore was now to bring down the pride of my family to their circumstances； for I well knew that aspiring beggary is wretchedness itself。 'You cannot be ignorant； my children；' cried I； 'that no prudence of ours could have prevented our late misfortune； but prudence may do much in disappointing its effects。 We are now poor； my fondlings； and wisdom bids us conform to our humble situation。 Let us then； without repining； give up those splendours with which numbers are wretched； and seek in humbler circumstances that peace with which all may be happy。 The poor live pleasantly without our help； why then should not we learn to live without theirs。 No； my children； let us from this moment give up all pretensions to gentility； we have still enough left for happiness if we are wise； and let us draw upon content for the deficiencies of fortune。' As my eldest son was bred a scholar； I determined to send him to town； where his abilities might contribute to our support and his own。 The separation of friends and families is； perhaps； one of the most distressful circumstances attendant on penury。 The day soon arrived on which we were to disperse for the first time。 My son； after taking leave of his mother and the rest； who mingled their tears with their kisses； came to ask a blessing from me。 This I gave him from my heart； and which； added to five guineas； was all the patrimony I had now to bestow。 'You are going； my boy；' cried I； 'to London on foot； in the manner Hooker； your great ancestor； travelled there before you。 Take from me the same horse that was given him by the good bishop Jewel； this staff； and take this book too； it will be your comfort on the way： these two lines in it are worth a million； I have been young； and now am old； yet never saw I the righteous man forsaken； or his seed begging their bread。 Let this be your consolation as you travel on。 Go； my boy； whatever be thy fortune let me see thee once a year； still keep a good heart； and farewell。' As he was possest of integrity and honour； I was under no apprehensions from thr