H-- saw imperfectly through the
mist of prejudice, and I am rankled by the spleen -- Perhaps, you
are partly in the right; for I have perceived that my opinion of
mankind, like mercury in the thermometer, rises and falls
according to the variations of the weather.
Pray settle accompts with Barnes; take what money of mine is in
his hands, and give him acquittance. If you think Davis has stock
or credit enough to do justice to the farm, give him a discharge
for the rent that is due, this will animate his industry; for I
know that nothing is so discouraging to a farmer as the thoughts
of being in arrears with his landlord. He becomes dispirited, and
neglects his labour; and so the farm goes to wreck. Tabby has
been clamouring for some days about the lamb's skin, which
Williams, the hind, begged of me, when he was last at Bath.
Prithee take it back, paying the fellow the full value of it,
that I may have some peace in my own house; and let him keep his
own counsel, if he means to keep his place -- O! I shall never
presume to despise or censure any poor man, for suffering himself
to be henpecked; conscious how I myself am obliged to truckle to
a domestic demon; even though (blessed be God) she is not yoked
with me for life, in the matrimonial waggon -- She has quarrelled
with the servants of the house about vails; and such intolerable
scolding ensued on both sides, that I have been fain to appease
the cook and chambermaid by stealth.
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