"those among whom it abounded Can it be doubted that a mind raised and ennobled by such just and generous fentiments, muft render old-age a ftate full of complacency and fatisfaction?

But not to wander from that scene of life in which I am myself more particularly concerned; let us return to our farmers. In thofe good days I am fpeaking of, the members of the fenate, who were always men advanced in years, were called forth from their fields as often as the affairs of the state demanded their affiftance. Thus Cincinnatus was following his plough, when notice was brought to him that he was created dictator. It was during his exercise of this high office that his mafter of the horfe, Servilius Ahala, in confequence of the fpirited orders he received from the dictator, feized upon Spurius Mælius and inftantly put him to death, before he had time to execute his traiterous purpofe of ufurp

ing

ing the reins of government". Curius too, and all the rest of the venerable fenators of that age, conftantly refided at their villas. For which reafon a particular officer was appointed (called a courier, from the nature of his employment) whose business it was to give them notice when there was a meeting of the fenate.

Now tell me, my friends, could the old-age of these refpectable patriots, who thus amufed their latter years in cultivating their lands, be justly deemed a state of infelicity? In my opinion, indeed, no kind of occupation is more pregnant with happiness; not only as the business of husbandry is of fingular utility to mankind in general, but as being attended alfo (to repeat what I have already obferved) with peculiar and very confiderable pleasures. I will add too, as a farther recommendation of rural employment (and I mention it in order to be restored to the

G4

: OR

: OR,

the good graces of the voluptuous) that it fupplies both the table and the altar with the greatest variety and abundance. Accordingly, the magazines of the skilful and industrious farmer are plentifully ftored with wine and oil, with milk, cheese, and honey; as his yards abound with poultry, and his fields with flocks and herds of kids, lambs, and porkets. The garden also furnishes him with an additional fource of delicacies: in allufion to which the farmers pleafantly call a certain piece of ground allotted to that particular use, their defert. I must not omit, likewise, that in the intervals of their more important business, and in order to heighten the relish of the rest, the sports of the field claim a fhare in the variety of their amufements.

I might expatiate on the beauties of their verdant groves and meadows, on the charming landscape that their vineyards and their olive yards present to

view :

:

view but to fay all in one word, there cannot be a more pleasing, nor a more profitable scene, than that of a well-cultivated farm. Now old-age is so far from being an obstacle to enjoyments of this kind, that, on the contrary, it rather invites and allures us to the fruition of them. For where, let me ask, can a man in that last stage of life more eafily find the comforts in winter of a warm fun, or a good fire? or the benefit in fummer of cooling fhades and refreshing ftreams?

:

In refpect to the peculiar articles of rural diverfions; let those of a more firm and vigorous age enjoy the robust sports which are suitable to that season of life let them exert their manly strength and address in darting the javelin, or contending in the race; in wielding the bat, or throwing the ball; in riding, or in swimming; but let them, out of the abundance of their many other recreations, refign to us

old

old fellows the fedentary games of chance. Yet if they think proper even in these to referve to themselves an exclufive right, I fhall not controvert their claim they are amusements by no means effential to a philofophic old-age.

The writings of Xenophon abound with a variety of the moft ufeful obfervations; and I am perfuaded it is altogether unneceffary to recommend them to your careful perufal. In his treatise intitled oeconomics, with what a flow of eloquence does he break forth in praise of agriculture! an art above all others, you will obferve, which he deemed worthy of a monarch's attention. In view to this, he introduces Socrates informing his friend Critobulus, that when Lyfander of Lacedæmon, a man of great and eminent virtues 62, was deputed by the confederate ftates to the court of Sardis with their reípective. presents to the younger Cyrus; that

great