of a few game phrases, and no other ideas but those of black or red
spots ranged together in different figures. Would not a man laugh to
hear any one of his species complaining that life is short.

15. The stage might be made a perpetual source of the most noble and
useful entertainments, were it under proper regulations.

But the mind never unbends itself so agreeably as in the conversation of
a well-chosen friend. There is indeed no blessing of life that is any
way comparable to the enjoyment of a discreet and virtuous friend. It
eases and unloads the mind, clears and improves the understanding,
engenders thoughts and knowledge, animates virtue and good resolution,
sooths and allays the passions, and finds employment for most of the
vacant hours of life.

16. Next to such an intimacy with a particular person, one would
endeavour after a more general conversation with such as are able to
entertain and improve those with whom they converse, which are
qualifications that seldom go asunder.

There are many other useful amusements of life, which one would
endeavour to multiply, that one might on all occasions have recourse to
something rather than suffer the mind to lie idle, or ran adrift with
any passion that chances to rise in it.

17. A man that has a taste in music, painting, or architecture, is like
one that has another sense when compared with such as have no relish for
those arts. The florist, the planter, the gardener, the husbandman, when
they are only as accomplishments to the man of fortune; are great
reliefs to a country life, and many ways useful to those who are