Barton, however, was enabled to make up his accounts, and had got them passed at the vestry, though there certainly was among his brother farmers a little grumbling. Barton defended himself as well as he could, and added, that at all events he had got the _good-word_ of the poor; that he always had borne, and always hoped to bear, the character of a _good-natured man_. Farmer Oldacre could not suffer this to pass without observation. He had been a little irritated by some things which he had witnessed at the vestry, and felt deeply for poor Michael, who had formerly worked upon his farm, and whom he had always loved and respected. "Come, come, neighbour Barton," said he, "let us hear no more of your _good-nature_, for which we all have to pay so dear. Your wish to obtain the _good-word_ of the poor has not really benefitted them, and has done serious injury to the rest of your neighbours. Your _good-nature_ about the licence has increased the immorality and the poverty of the parish;--and your _good-nature_ to the road-workmen has given Fowler a broken leg;--your _good-nature_ to farmer Dobson, in not making him cut his hedge, and do his statute-duty, has cost us ninety pounds;--and your _good-nature_ as overseer has made the parish less able to pay that sum, and has helped to complete the ruin of two or three deserving families. And--if I may venture here to mention so serious a consideration--your _good-nature_ would have allowed a sinner to go on towards eternal destruction without warning, and, for the sake of avoiding uneasiness of mind _here_, would have suffered him to incur everlasting punishment _hereafter_. "Farmer Barton--I value brotherly-kindness most highly. I know that the love of our neighbour, and a readiness to do him good offices, is the second great commandment both of the Law and of the Gospel. But I hope that I shall ever be on my guard against that love of low popularity, that weak fear of giving offence, that sacrifice of _public_ principle to _private_ considerations, which, under the engaging name of _good-nature_, often lead to forgetfulness of duty both towards God and man, and do as much harm in the world as positive dishonesty." NOTES. Dr. Benjamin Franklin is well known as the friend of the poor and of liberty, and as one of the founders of American independence. The following observations will, with many persons, have additional weight, as coming from _his_ pen. _Extract from Observations written in Pennsylvania in 1751._ 2.--When families can be easily supported, more persons marry, and earlier in life.