He could afford to spend no time in the acquisition of a trade.

He must labour, not for future emolument, but for immediate subsistence.

The only pursuit which his present circumstances would allow him to adopt was that which, he was inclined to believe, was likewise the most eligible.
Without doubt his experience was slender, and it seemed absurd to pronounce concerning that of which he had no direct knowledge; but so it was, he could not outroot from his mind the persuasion that to plough, to sow, and to reap, were employments most befitting a reasonable creature, and from which the truest pleasure and the least pollution would flow.

He contemplated no other scheme than to return, as soon as his health should permit, into the country, seek employment where it was to be had, and acquit himself in his engagements with fidelity and diligence.
I pointed out to him various ways in which the city might furnish employment to one with his qualifications.

He had said that he was somewhat accustomed to the pen.