“God be praised (replied the old man), that is not the case; though it cannot be expected, that a person turned of four-score years of age should be free from all kinds of complaints. It is not a long time since I have given up daily labour, which my children obliged me to do; for they said I had worked long enough for them, and that it was now time they should work for me in their turns.”
Mr. Jackson highly applauded the conduct of his children; and observed to the old man, that he must have purchased his present repose at the expence of a great deal of labour; but he wished to know, after having passed his life in such active scenes, how he could amuse himself at present.
“My whole life (replied the old man), has been a constant succession of labour. There are few men who have carried in more hay, or tied more sheaves together, than I have; but my labour procured me health, contentment, and happiness. As to time, it never sits heavy on my hands, and when my body is at rest, my mind is at work. How can any person be at a loss for thoughts, who has ten children, and fifty children’s children to think for? They every day give me an account of their affairs and labour, and it is I who put every thing in order. There is always one constantly upon my hands that must be married, and matches of that kind are not to be settled in a moment. Those I have provided for in this way are now in a thriving state. I have at this time three marriages in hands, and I hope they will soon be settled to the mutual satisfaction of all parties.”
Mr. Jackson observed, that he must be very happy in so numerous a family, and asked him how many he had at home with him. “I have at present only two (replied the old man), who are my grand-daughters; for I cannot lodge an army here. It is my lands, and not my house, that I wish to enlarge. Thank God I have been able to give each of my children a tolerable portion; not in gold, but acres, and that without impoverishing myself. For a mere trifle, I bought a large quantity of land, which none of my neighbours thought worth meddling with: but I set about improving it, and gave it to my daughters as so many marriage portions, and are now, in their improved state, of great value.
“Whenever any of my children were ill, I had skill enough to cure them by the use of those few plants I am acquainted with, and of their behaviour to me I never had any reason to complain. I always took care to set them a good example: for though in my youth I was as wild as any other, and there could not be a dance in this or any neighbouring parish, but I was sure to be there; yet, as soon as I was married, I left off those pranks. My wife was fortunately handsome, good, and sprightly, and that kept me in awe.
“I took my boys into the fields with me as soon as they could walk, and I presently made them useful in one way or other. I put my youngest on the plough, and was pleased to see the others frolic around him; and, on my return home in the evening, my little girls would divert me with singing, while they were spinning at their wheel.
“I used to go among my children and grand children, to see if every thing went on properly; but now, since old age has prevented me, they come and see me. The sermon is no sooner over on a Sunday, than my daughters and grand daughters bring their little ones; and it would please you, sir, to behold me in the midst of twenty women, dressed as for a marriage, and as pretty as angels. There is a family resemblance in their children, and that charms me.”
Mr. Jackson observed, that the other six days of the week must be very tiresome to him, since he could not have the company of his family to amuse him. To this the old man replied, “If I be denied this pleasure, yet I have others to supply its place. I know every inch of ground in this parish, and am as well acquainted with all who live in it. My neighbours therefore frequently come to ask my opinion on matters of husbandry, in which they are engaged. I give them my advice with pleasure; and if they be poor people, I provide them with the seed they want, and they repay it me the ensuing harvest. Thus am I serviceable to others, without injuring myself or my family.
“In my endeavours to do good to my neighbours, I am assisted by our vicar, who is a very good man, and of whom I have, in some degree, made a bishop, by the weddings, christenings and tithes, with which I have enriched him. I have even given him some instructions concerning his business in the pulpit; for the country people in general, like example better than precept. The general rule I taught him to lay down to his congregation was no more than this: No rest, good neighbours, to your land; but peace among yourselves.”
Mr. Jackson could not help applauding such principles, and told the good old villager, that he apprehended he was of more service to the vicar, than he was to the lawyer, if any such professional man lived near them.