Final answer:
Herbert Spencer used a story about a country schoolmaster to illustrate his discussion of humor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Herbert Spencer illustrated his discussion of humor with a story about a country schoolmaster who is refused the hand of a Dutch heiress, which turns out to be a certain step to high preferment in the state. The story serves to prove that there is no situation in life without advantages and pleasures, as long as we are able to take a joke as we find it.