But we must excuse her for this meagre entertainment; she has not
really wherewithal to make such feasts as we imagine; her guests
must be contented sometimes with but slender cates, and with the
same cold meats served over and over again, even till they become
nauseous. When you have pared away all the vanity, what solid and
natural contentment does there remain which may not be had with five
hundred pounds a year? not so many servants or horses, but a few
good ones, which will do all the business as well; not so many
choice dishes at every meal; but at several meals all of them, which
makes them both the more healthy and dine more pleasant; not so rich
garments nor so frequent changes, but as warm and as comely, and so
frequent change, too, as is every jot as good for the master, though
not for the tailor or valet-de-chambre; not such a stately palace,
nor gilt rooms, nor the costlier sorts of tapestry, but a convenient
brick house, with decent wainscot and pretty forest-work hangings.
Lastly (for I omit all other particulars, and will end with that
which I love most in both conditions), not whole woods cut in walks,
nor vast parks, nor fountain or cascade gardens, but herb and flower
and fruit gardens, which are more useful, and the water every whit
as clear and wholesome as if it darted from the breasts of a marble
nymph or the urn of a river-god.
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