'At this period I accidentally became acquainted with a person,
whose friendship laid the foundation of all my prosperity. In the
next market-town I chanced to dine at an inn with a Mr Wilson,
who was lately come to settle in the neighbourhood. -- He had been
lieutenant of a man of war, but quitted the sea in some disgust,
and married the only daughter of farmer Bland, who lives in this
parish, and has acquired a good fortune in the way of husbandry. --
Wilson is one of the best natured men I ever knew; brave, frank,
obliging, and ingenuous -- He liked my conversation, I was charmed
with his liberal manner; and acquaintance immediately commenced,
and this was soon improved into a friendship without reserve. --
There are characters which, like similar particles of matter,
strongly attract each other. -- He forthwith introduced me to his
father-in-law, farmer Bland, who was well acquainted with every
acre of my estate, of consequence well qualified to advise me on
this occasion. -- Finding I was inclined to embrace a country life,
and even to amuse myself with the occupation of farming, he
approved of my design -- He gave me to understand that all my farms
were underlett; that the estate was capable of great improvement;
that there was plenty of chalk in the neighbourhood; and that my
own ground produced excellent marle for manure.
Pages:
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592