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CHARLES COTTON,

From an Original Miniature Painting formerly in the Collection of D... Mead & now in the Possession of the Publisher. Engraved by JH. Robinson ?

London, Published by John Major, 50, Fleet St. March 25 1824

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PISCATOR JUNIOR, AND VIATOR.
PISCATOR.

OU are happily overtaken, Sir;
may a man be so bold as to
enquire how far you travel this
way?

VIATOR. Yes sure, Sir, very freely; though it be a question I cannot very well resolve you : as not knowing myself how far it is to Ashborn, where I intend to-night to take up my inn.

Pisc. Why then, Sir, seeing I perceive you to

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be a stranger in these parts, I shall take upon me to inform you, that from the town you last came through, called Brelsford, it is five miles; and you are not yet above half a mile on this side.

VIAT. SO much? I was told it was but ten miles from Derby, and, methinks, I have rode almost so far already.

Pisc. O, Sir, find no fault with large measure of good land, which Derbyshire abounds in, as much as most counties of England.

VIAT. It may be so; and good land, I confess, affords a pleasant prospect: but, by your good leave, Sir, large measure of foul way is not altogether so acceptable.

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Pisc. True, Sir, but the foul way serves to justify the fertility of the soil, according to the proverb ; "There is good land where there is foul way" and is of good use to inform you of the riches of the country you are come into, and of it's continual travel and traffic to the country town you came from; which is also very observable by the fulness of it's road, and the loaden horses you meet every where upon the way.

VIAT. Well, Sir, I will be content to think as well of your country as you would desire; and I shall have a great deal of reason both to think and to speak very well of you, if I may obtain the happiness of your company to the fore-mentioned place, provided your affairs lead you that way, and that

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