less oppressive than that of the tomb, is, owing to the singular goodness of the Deity, passed amid the pursuits of literature and the cheering salutations of friendship.  But if, as is written, ’Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God,’ why may not any one acquiesce in the privation of his sight, when God has so amply furnished his mind and his conscience with eyes?  While He so tenderly provides for me, while He so graciously leads me by the hand, and conducts me on the way, I will, since it is His pleasure, rather rejoice than repine at being blind.  And, my dear Philaras, whatever may be the event, I wish you adieu with no less courage and composure than if I had the eyes of a lynx.

[Footnote 1:  From the Latin.]

JOHN EVELYN

1620-1706

To SAMUEL PEPYS

In retirement at Wotton

Wotton, 2 Aug. 1692.

I have been philosophizing and world-despising in the solitudes of this place, whither I am retired to pass and mourn the absence of my worthiest friend.  Here is wood and water, meadows and mountains, the Dryads and Hamadryads; but here’s no Mr. Pepys, no Dr. Gale.  Nothing of all the cheer in the parlour that I taste; all’s insipid, and all will be so to me, till I see and enjoy you again.  I long to know what you do, and what you think, because I am certain you do both what is worthy the knowing and imitation.  On Monday next will Mr. Bentley resume his lecture, I think, at Bow Church:  I fear I shall hardly get through this wilderness by that time.  Pray give him your wonted confidence if you can, and tell him how unhappily I am entangled.  I hope, however, to get home within this fortnight, and about the end of October to my hyemation in Dover Street.  My son is gone with the Lord Lieutenant, and our new relation, Sir Cyril Wych, into Ireland:  I look they should return wondrous statesmen, or else they had as well have stayed at home.  I am here with Boccalini, and Erasmus’s Praise of Folly, and look down upon the world with wondrous contempt, when I consider for what we keep such a mighty bustle. O fortunate Mr. Pepys! who knows, possesses, and enjoys all that’s worth the seeking after.  Let me live among your inclinations, and I shall be happy.

To THE SAME

An old man’s occupations

Wotton, 22 July, 1700.

I could no longer suffer this old servant of mine to pass and repass so near Clapham without a particular account of your health and all your happy family.  You will now inquire what I do here?  Why, as the patriarchs of old, I pass the days in the fields, among horses and oxen, sheep, cows, bulls, and sows, et cetera pecora campi.  We have, thank God! finished our hay harvest prosperously.  I am looking