"But, besides, and better than all this, Sandy was a learned man. He read a great deal, and was not a little vain of his acquisitions in this way. He was, however, a lively, good-natured little fellow, and very generally liked, notwithstanding that he gave himself out for a philosopher, and looked very grave and wise when he was asserting his pretensions to that character, or when he thought those pretensions were either overlooked or denied. "Such was Sandy Ramsay, and such was the person whom Mr Darsy found one morning, shortly after his arrival at Dryfield, working at a wooden railing at a little distance from the house. "'Good morning, honest man,' said Mr Darsy, approaching him with that kindly familiarity of manner which distinguished all his intercourse with his inferiors. "'Guid mornin, sir,' replied Sandy, resting on the wooden mallet with which he was driving the rails. 'Grand wather for the country, sir.' "'Excellent,' rejoined Mr Darsy. 'The crops in this neighbourhood look uncommonly well, and I think we shall have both an early and a plentiful harvest. Thanks be to God!' "'Yes, sir, as ye say, thank God for't,' replied Sandy. 'There's a reasonable prospect o' baith peace and plenty in the country; and, as Pope says, 'This day be bread and peace my lot; All else beneath the sun, Thou knowest if best bestow'd or not; And let thy will be done!' "'Ah, Pope, my friend!' said Mr Darsy, his eye sparkling with delight. 'So you are conversant with Pope, are you?' "'A wee bit, sir; his works form the staple o' my readin. I admire baith his poetry and his philosophy.' "'Ah, indeed! Well, do you know, I like that,' replied Mr Darsy. 'I'm one of Pope's worshippers, too; he is my guide, philosopher, and friend-- 'Correct with spirit, eloquent with ease, Intent to reason, or polite to please.' "'Yes, sir; and, better still,' replied Sandy, 'he 'Turn'd the tuneful art From sounds to things, from fancy to the heart.' "'And,' shouted Mr Darsy, in ecstasy-- 'For Wit's false mirror held up Nature's light-- Show'd erring Pride _whatever is, is right_.' "'And,' exclaimed Sandy, energetically, and waving his hand aloft, in the excitation of his feelings, as he spoke-- 'That reason, passion, answer one great aim; That true self-love and social are the same.' "Mr Darsy, striking his stick emphatically on the ground-- 'That virtue only makes our bliss below, And all our knowledge is ourselves to know.' "Having thus finished the concluding part of the 'Essay on Man' between them, Mr Darsy, with a gracious and benevolent smile, held out his hand to Sandy, seized that of the latter, and shook it with cordial warmth. From that moment, notwithstanding the disparity of their social position, they were sworn friends.