EMILIA.
But it is tiresome to be obliged to work from morning till night. All good men ought to be rich, I think.
DR. BARTLETT.
It would quite alter the nature of things. The strong and the weak must then dig their own ground; and the ingenious would want a spur to assist the stupid. We must all make our own clothes; manufactures and arts would be no more—industry would languish, and life not only lose its principal charms, but cease to be a probationary state, a field to exercise virtue in, and exert benevolence.
WILLIAM.
That is true, Sir.—But may I ask you something? Does it not look as if God, who has appointed men to work, had less love for them than the rich?
DR. BARTLETT.
Certainly not. God has an equal love for all, William, that are virtuous. A labourer in his low station, and in his poor cottage, is often happier than those who are exalted to high offices, and reside in noble palaces.
EMILIA.
The rich have servants to wait on them, while the poor labourer must continually work for his bread.