But the most irksome Conversation of all others I have met with in the Neighbourhood, has been among two or three of your Travellers, who have overlooked Men and Manners, and have passed through France and Italy with the same Observation that the Carriers and Stage-Coachmen do through Great-Britain; that is, their Stops and Stages have been regulated according to the Liquor they have met with in their Passage.  They indeed remember the Names of abundance of Places, with the particular Fineries of certain Churches:  But their distinguishing Mark is certain Prettinesses of Foreign Languages, the Meaning of which they could have better express’d in their own.  The Entertainment of these fine Observers, Shakespear has described to consist

    ’In talking of the Alps and Appennines,
    The Pyrenean, and the River Po.’ [2]

  and then concludes with a Sigh,

    ‘Now this is worshipful Society!’

I would not be thought in all this to hate such honest Creatures as Dogs; I am only unhappy that I cannot partake in their Diversions.  But I love them so well, as Dogs, that I often go with my Pockets stuffed with Bread to dispense my Favours, or make my way through them at Neighbours’ Houses.  There is in particular a young Hound of great Expectation, Vivacity, and Enterprize, that attends my Flights where-ever he spies me.  This Creature observes my Countenance, and behaves himself accordingly.  His Mirth, his Frolick, and Joy upon the Sight of me has been observed, and I have been gravely desired not to encourage him so much, for it spoils his Parts; but I think he shews them sufficiently in the several Boundings, Friskings, and Scourings, when he makes his Court to me:  But I foresee in a little time he and I must keep Company with one another only, for we are fit for no other in these Parts.  Having informd you how I do pass my time in the Country where I am, I must proceed to tell you how I would pass it, had I such a Fortune as would put me above the Observance of Ceremony and Custom.

My Scheme of a Country Life then should be as follows.  As I am happy in three or four very agreeable Friends, these I would constantly have with me; and the Freedom we took with one another at School and the University, we would maintain and exert upon all Occasions with great Courage.  There should be certain Hours of the Day to be employ’d in Reading, during which time it should be impossible for any one of us to enter the other’s Chamber, unless by Storm.  After this we would communicate the Trash or Treasure we had met with, with our own Reflections upon the Matter; the Justness of which we would controvert with good-humour’d Warmth, and never spare one another out of the complaisant Spirit of Conversation, which makes others affirm and deny the same matter in a quarter of an Hour.  If any of the Neighbouring Gentlemen, not of our Turn, should take it in their heads to visit me, I