exceed the neatness of my little enclosures: the elms and hedge
rows appearing with inexpressible beauty. My house consisted of
but one story, and was covered with thatch, which gave it an air
of great snugness; the walls on the inside were nicely white-
washed, and my daughters undertook to adorn them with pictures of
their own designing. Though the same room served us for parlour
and kitchen, that only made it the warmer. Besides, as it was
kept with the utmost neatness, the dishes, plates, and coppers,
being well scoured, and all disposed in bright rows on the
shelves, the eye was agreeably relieved, and did not want richer
furniture. There were three other apartments, one for my wife and
me, another for our two daughters, within our own, and the third,
with two beds, for the rest of the children.

The little republic to which I gave laws, was regulated in the
following manner: by sun-rise we all assembled in our common
appartment; the fire being previously kindled by the servant.
After we had saluted each other with proper ceremony, for I
always thought fit to keep up some mechanical forms of good
breeding, without which freedom ever destroys friendship, we all
bent in gratitude to that Being who gave us another day. This
duty being performed, my son and I went to pursue our usual
industry abroad, while my wife and daughters employed themselves
in providing breakfast, which was always ready at a certain time.
I allowed half an hour for this meal, and an hour for dinner;
which time was taken up in innocent mirth between my wife and
daughters, and in philosophical arguments between my son and me.

As we rose with the sun, so we never pursued our labours after it
was gone down, but returned home to the expecting family; where