["My uncle and I conversed a long time last night about what
profession Ernest should follow. His constant illness when
young has deprived him of the habits of application; and now
that he enjoys good health, he is continually in the open air,
climbing the hills, or rowing on the lake. I therefore proposed
that he should be a farmer; which you know, Cousin, is a
favourite scheme of mine. A farmer's is a very healthy happy
life; and the least hurtful, or rather the most beneficial
profession of any. My uncle had an idea of his being educated
as an advocate, that through his interest he might become a
judge. But, besides that he is not at all fitted for such an
occupation, it is certainly more more creditable to cultivate
the earth for the sustenance of man, than to be the confidant,
and sometimes the accomplice, of his vices; which is the
profession of a lawyer. I said, that the employments of a
prosperous farmer, if they were not a more honourable, they were
at least a happier species of occupation than that of a judge,
whose misfortune it was always to meddle with the dark side of
human nature. My uncle smiled, and said, that I ought to be an
advocate myself, which put an end to the conversation on that
subject.]