"But, indeed, my chief business at this time is to represent to you my present state of mind, and the satisfactions I promise to myself in the possession of my new fortune. I have continued all (10) Sir Roger's servants, except such as it was a relief to dismiss into little beings[156] within my manor. Those who are in a list of the good knight's own hand to be taken care of by me, I have quartered upon such as have taken new leases of me, and added so many advantages during the lives of the persons so quartered, that (15) it is the interest of those whom they are joined with, to cherish and befriend them upon all occasions. [156] Livings. "I find a considerable sum of ready money, which I am laying out among my dependants at the common interest, but with a design to lend it according to their merit, rather than according (20) to their ability. I shall lay a tax upon such as I have highly obliged, to become security to me for such of their own poor youth, whether male or female, as want help towards getting into some being in the world.[157] I hope I shall be able to manage my affairs so as to improve my fortune every year by doing acts of kindness. (25) I will lend my money to the use of none but indigent men, secured by such as have ceased to be indigent by the favour of my family or myself. What makes this the more practicable is, that if they will do any one good with my money, they are welcome to it upon their own security: and I make no exception against it, because the (30) persons who enter into the obligations, do it for their own family. I have laid out four thousand pounds this way, and it is not to be imagined what a crowd of people are obliged by it. In cases where Sir Roger has recommended, I have lent money to put out[158] children, with a clause which makes void the obligation in case the infant[159] dies before he is out of his apprenticeship; by (215: 5) which means the kindred and masters are extremely careful of breeding him to industry, that he may repay it himself by his labour, in three years' journey-work after his time is out, for the use of his securities.[160] Opportunities of this kind are all that have occurred since I came to my estate; but I assure you I will preserve a constant disposition (10) to catch at all the occasions I can to promote the good and happiness of my neighbourhood. [157] Getting their living in some way. [158] Apprentice. [159] A minor, one not twenty-one years of age. [160] Those who have given security for him. But it is difficult to get any precise meaning from the sentence--another instance of Steele's carelessness of expression.