But if a woman of _high_ birth and _great_ fortune, having read the gospel, should rather wish to be an _under servant_ in some pious family, where wisdom, piety, and great devotion, directed all the actions of every day; if she should rather wish this, than to live at the top of _Feliciana_’s happiness, I should think her neither _mad_ nor _melancholy_; but that she judged as rightly of the spirit of the gospel, as if she had rather wished to be _poor Lazarus_ at the gate, than to be the rich man _cloathed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day_.
*But to proceed, would you know what an happiness it is, to be governed by the wisdom of religion, look at the poor condition of _Succus_, whose greatest happiness is a _good night_’s rest in bed, and a _good meal_ when he is up. When he talks of happiness, it is always in such expressions as shews you, that he has only his bed and his dinner in his thoughts.
This regard to his _meals_ and _repose_, makes _Succus_ order all the rest of his time with relation to them. He will undertake no business that may hurry his spirits, or break in upon his hours of _eating_ and _rest_. If he reads, it shall be only for half an hour, because that is sufficient to amuse the spirits; and he will read something that may make him laugh, as rendering the body fitter for its _food_ and _rest_; or, if he has a mind at any time to indulge a grave thought, he has recourse to a useful treatise upon the _♦ancient cookery_. _Succus_ is an enemy to all _party matters_, having made it an observation, that there is as good eating amongst the _whigs_ as the _tories_.
♦ ‘antient’ replaced with ‘ancient’
He talks coolly and moderately upon all subjects, and is as fearful of falling into a passion, as of catching cold; being very positive they are both equally injurious to the _stomach_. If ever you see him more hot than ordinary, it is upon some provoking occasion, when the dispute about cookery runs high, or in the defence of some beloved dish, which has often made him happy. But he has been so long upon these subjects, is so well acquainted with all that can be said on both sides, and has so often answered all objections, that he generally decides the matter with great gravity.
_Succus_ is very loyal, and as soon as ever he likes any wine, he drinks the king’s health with all his heart. Nothing could put rebellious thoughts into his head, unless he should live to see a proclamation against eating of _pheasant_’s _eggs_.
♦13. All the hours that are not devoted either to _repose_ or _nourishment_, are looked upon by _Succus_ as _waste_ or _spare time_. For this reason he lodges near a _coffee-house_ and a _tavern_, that when he rises in the morning he may be near the _news_, and when he parts at night, he may not have far to go to bed. In the morning you always see him in the same place in the _coffee-room_; and if he seems more attentively engaged than ordinary, it is because some _criminal_ is broke out of _newgate_, or some _lady_ was robbed last night, but they can’t tell where. When he has learnt all that he can, he goes home to settle the matter with the barber’s boy that comes to shave him.
♦ Number 12 omitted in text.
The next _waste time_ that lies upon his hands, is from dinner to supper; and if melancholy thoughts ever come into his head, it is at this time, when he is often left to himself for an hour or more, and that after the greatest pleasure he knows is just over. He is afraid to sleep, because he has heard it is not healthful at that time; so that he is forced to refuse so welcome a guest.
But here he is soon relieved by a settled method of playing at cards, till it is time to think of some little, nice matter for supper.
After this _Succus_ takes his glass, talks of the excellency of the _English constitution_, and praises that _minister_ the most, who keeps the best table.
On a _Sunday_ night you may sometimes hear him condemning the iniquity of _town rakes_; and the bitterest thing that he says against them is this, that he verily believes, some of them are so abandoned, as not to have a _regular meal_, or a _sound night_’s sleep, in a week.
At eleven _Succus_ bids all good night, and parts in great friendship. He is presently in bed, and sleeps till it is time to go to the _coffee-house_ next morning.
If you was to live with _Succus_ for a twelvemonth, this is all that you would see in his life, except a few _curses_ and _oaths_ that he uses as occasion offers.
And now I cannot help making this reflection: