I like the Story of the honest Dutchman, who, upon breaking his Leg by a Fall from the Mainmast, told the Standers-by, It was a great Mercy that ’twas not his Neck.  To which, since I am got into Quotations, give me leave to add the Saying of an old Philosopher, who, after having invited some of his Friends to dine with him, was ruffled by his Wife that came into the Room in a Passion, and threw down the Table that stood before them; Every one, says he, has his Calamity, and he is a happy Man that has no greater than this.  We find an Instance to the same Purpose in the Life of Doctor Hammond, written by Bishop Fell.  As this good Man was troubled with a Complication of Distempers, when he had the Gout upon him, he used to thank God that it was not the Stone; and when he had the Stone, that he had not both these Distempers on him at the same time.

I cannot conclude this Essay without observing that there was never any System besides that of Christianity, which could effectually produce in the Mind of Man the Virtue I have been hitherto speaking of.  In order to make us content with our present Condition, many of the ancient Philosophers tell us that our Discontent only hurts our selves, without being able to make any Alteration in our Circumstances; others, that whatever Evil befalls us is derived to us by a fatal Necessity, to which the Gods themselves are subject; whilst others very gravely tell the Man who is miserable, that it is necessary he should be so to keep up the Harmony of the Universe, and that the Scheme of Providence would be troubled and perverted were he otherwise.  These, and the like Considerations, rather silence than satisfy a Man.  They may shew him that his Discontent is unreasonable, but are by no means sufficient to relieve it.  They rather give Despair than Consolation.  In a Word, a Man might reply to one of these Comforters, as Augustus did to his Friend who advised him not to grieve for the Death of a Person whom he loved, because his Grief could not fetch him again:  It is for that very Reason, said the Emperor, that I grieve.

On the contrary, Religion bears a more tender Regard to humane Nature.  It prescribes to every miserable Man the Means of bettering his Condition; nay, it shews him, that the bearing of his Afflictions as he ought to do will naturally end in the Removal of them:  It makes him easie here, because it can make him happy hereafter.

Upon the whole, a contented Mind is the greatest Blessing a Man can enjoy in this World; and if in the present Life his Happiness arises from the subduing of his Desires, it will arise in the next from the Gratification of them.

* * * * *

No. 575.  Monday, August 2, 1714.  Addison.

  ‘—­Nec merti esse locum—­’

  Virg.