_Ti._ So was _Socrates_ a Philosopher, and yet he preferr'd a Town Life
before a Country one; because, he being desirous of Knowledge, had there
the Opportunity of improving it. In the Country, 'tis true, there are
Woods, Gardens, Fountains and Brooks, that entertain the Sight, but
they are all mute, and therefore teach a Man nothing.

_Eu._ I know _Socrates_ puts the Case of a Man's walking alone in the
Fields; although, in my Opinion, there Nature is not dumb, but talkative
enough, and speaks to the Instruction of a Man that has but a good Will,
and a Capacity to learn. What does the beautiful Face of the Spring do,
but proclaim the equal Wisdom and Goodness of the Creator? And how many
excellent Things did _Socrates_ in his Retirement, both teach his
_Phædrus_, and learn from him?

_Ti._ If a Man could have such pleasant Company, I confess, no life in
the World could be pleasanter than a Country Life.

_Eu._ Have you a Mind to make Tryal of it? If you have, come take a
Dinner with me to Morrow: I have a pretty neat little Country House, a
little Way out of Town.

_Ti._ We are too many of us; we shall eat you out of House and Home.

_Eu._ Never fear that, you're to expect only a Garden Treat, of such
Chear as I need not go to Market for. The Wine is of my own Growth; the
Pompions, the Melons, the Figs, the Pears, the Apples and Nuts, are
offered to you by the Trees themselves; you need but gape, and they'll
fall into your Mouth, as it is in the _fortunate Islands_, if we may
give Credit to _Lucian_. Or, it may be, we may get a Pullet out of the
Hen-roost, or so.