hey can pay for it_, which is made the grand
criterion between the fit and the unfit, they are too little
disposed to consider the value, or rather the worthlessness, of the
thing which is paid for: but literally go on to _give their money
for that which is not bread._

Their subsequent course of reading serves to establish all the
errors of their education. Instead of such books as might help to
confirm and strengthen them in all the virtues of their station, in
humility, economy, meekness, contentment, self-denial, and industry;
the studies now adopted are, by a graft on the old stock, made to
grow on the habits acquired at school. Of those novels and plays
which are so eagerly devoured by persons of this description, there
is perhaps scarce one which is not founded upon principles which
would lead young women of the middle ranks to be discontented with
their station. It is _rank_--it is _elegance_--it is _beauty_--it is
_sentimental feelings_--it is _sensibility_--it is some needless, or
some superficial, or some hurtful quality, even in that fashionable
person to whom the author ascribes it, which is the ruling
principle. This quality transferred into the heart and the conduct
of an illiterate woman in an inferior station, becomes absurdity,
becomes sinfulness.

Things were in this state in the family we are describing, or rather
growing worse; for idleness and vanity are never at a stand; when
these two wealthy farmers, Bragwell and Worthy, met at Weyhill fair,
as was said before. After many hearty salutations had passed between
them, it was agreed that Mr. Bragwell should spend the next day with
his old friend whose house was not many miles distant. Bragwell
invited himself in the following manner: "We have not had a
comfortable day's chat for years," said he; "and as I am to look at
a drove of lean beasts in your neighborhood, I will take a bed at
your house, and we will pass the evening debating as we used to do.
You know I always loved a bit of an argument, and am not reckoned to
make the worst figure at our club. I had not, to be sure, such good
learning as you had, because your father was a parson, and you got
it for nothing; but I can bear my part pretty well for all that.
When any man talks to me about his learning, I ask if it has helped
him to get a good estate; if he says no, then I would not give him a
rush for it; for of what use is all the learning in the world, if it
does not make a man rich? But