Gl. That Sort of Life has no good Reputation among People.
Eu. As human Affairs go, I thought it was a Thing well worth the accepting. Do you look upon it a small Happiness to have so many Advantages to fall into a Man's Mouth, as tho' they dropt out of Heaven; handsome Houses well furnish'd, a large Revenue, an honourable Society, and a Church at Hand, to serve God in, when you have a Mind to it?
Pa. I was scandaliz'd at the Luxury of the Persons, and the Infamy of their Concubines; and because a great many of that Sort of Men have an Aversion to Learning.
Eu. I don't mind what others do, but what I ought to do myself, and associate myself with the better Sort, if I cannot make them that are bad better.
Po. And is that the State of Life you have always liv'd in?
Eu. Always, except four Years, that I liv'd at Padua.
Po. What did you do there?
Eu. These Years I divided in this Manner; I studied Physick a Year and a half, and the rest of the Time Divinity.
Po. Why so?
Eu. That I might the better manage both Soul and Body, and also sometimes be helpful by Way of Advice to my Friends. I preached sometimes according to my Talent. And under these Circumstances, I have led a very quiet Life, being content with a single Benefice, not being ambitiously desirous of any more, and should have refus'd it, if it had been offered me.