I can answer you very readily in your own tone, that is, about weather and country grievances, and without one word of news or politics; for I know neither, nor inquire of them.(523) I am very well content to be a Strulbrug, and to exist after I have done being:  and I am still better pleased that you are in the same way of thinking, or of not thinking; for I am sure both your health and your mind will find the benefits of living for yourself and family only.  It were not fit that the young should concentre themselves in so narrow a circle; nor do the young seem to have any such intention.  Let them mend or mar the world as they please; the world takes its own way upon the whole; and, though there may be an uncommon swarm of animalcules for a season, things return into their own channel from their own bias, before any effectual nostrum or fumigation is discovered.  In the mean time, I am for giving all due weight to local grievances, though with no natural turn towards attending to them:  but they serve for conversation.  We have no newly invented grubs to eat our fruit; indeed, I have no fruit to be eaten:  but I should not lament if the worms would eat my gardener, who, you know, is so bad an one that I never have any thing in my garden.  I am now waiting for dry weather to cut my hay; though nature certainly never intended hay should be cut dry, as it always rains all June.  But here is a worse calamity; one is never safe by day or night:  Mrs. Walsingham, who has bought your brother’s late house at Ditton, was robbed a few days ago in the high road, within a mile of home, at seven in the evening.  The di`a nimorum gentium pilfer every thing.  Last night they stole a couple of yards of lead off the pediment of the door of my cottage.  A gentleman at Putney, who has three men servants, had his house broken open last week, and lost some fine miniatures, which he valued so much that he would not hang them up.  You may imagine what a pain this gives me in my baubles!  I have been making the round of my fortifications this morning, and ordering new works.

I am concerned for the account you give me of your brother.  Life does not appear to be such a jewel as to preserve it carefully for its own sake.  I think the same of its good things; if they do not procure amusement or comfort, I doubt they only produce the contrary.  Yet it is silly to repine; for, probably, whatever any man does by choice, he knows will please him best, or at least will prevent greater uneasiness.  I therefore, rather retract my concern; for, with a vast fortune, Lord Hertford might certainly do what he would:  and if, at his age, he can wish for more than that fortune will obtain, I may pity his taste or temper; but I shall think that you and I are much happier who can find enjoyments in an humbler sphere, nor envy those who have no time for trifling’.  I, who have never done any thing else, am not at all weary of my occupation.  Even three days of continued rain have not put me out of humour or spirits.  C’est beaucoup dire for an Anglais.  Adieu!  Yours ever.