because he was in poffeffion of the only living in the gift of Sir Harry, and the Alderman had a much better to difpofe of. By the encouragement of these good neighbours, and their own ill conduct, confifting of a strange mixture of infolence and avarice, of meannefs and magnificence, they were despised, perfecuted, and affronted by all around them. Their pigs were worried, their poultry murdered, their dogs poisoned, their game destroyed, their hedges broke, and their hay-ftacks fet on fire. They were hiffed and hooted at; and now and then a great pair of horns were fixed on their gates; an infult at which they were highly enraged, but the meaning of which neither Sir Harry nor my lady, not even with the affiftance of the Colonel, could ever guefs at.

I foon grew weary of this land of contention and uneafinefs; and, having recourse to the old excufe of urgent bufinefs, I took my leave, and went poft to town; reflecting all the way with furprise

on the ingenuity of mankind, to render themselves at once miferable and ridiculous; and lamenting that the happiness and innocence of rural life are now scarce any to be found.

where

N this age of levity and ridicule, it is

IN

extremely difficult to procure a serious attention to any propofal, however important, or however wifely calculated for the public benefit; but fure if there ever was a propofition deferving attention from every true Englishman, it is this for the establishment of a National Militia, now under the confideration of the legislature; on the fuccefs of which I fincerely think,

that our glory abroad, our fecurity at home, and our very being as a nation, entirely depend.

So manifeft is the truth of this to the meanest and most abfurd understandings, that I never met with one of that kind who has not been clearly convinced of it; to fuch therefore I fhall not here address myself, but to the wife and fagacious only, many of whom, to my great furprize, I have found of a very different opinion: to these then I fhall endeavour to prove, in as few words as poffible, the truth of the following propofitions:

ift, That such a militia may foon be rendered not at all inferior to our present regular forces.

2dly, That it will effectually fecure our liberties, properties, and religion.

3dly, That it will ftrengthen the hands of government.

4thly, That it will reduce the price of our provifions and manufactures, and extend our trade.