Nic. Frog, the executor of his will and teftament. 7. Bull. And this is your forites, you fay,-with that he fnatched a good tough oaken cudgel, and began to brandifh it; then happy was the man that was firft at the door : crouding to get out, they tumbled down stairs; and it is credibly reported, fom.e of them dropped very valuable things in the hurry, which were picked up by others of the family. That any of thefe rogues, quoth John fhould "imagine, I am not as much concerned as they a:bout having my affairs in a fettled condition, or that I would wrong my heir for I know not "what! Well, Nic. I really cannot but applaud thy dilligence; I muft own this is really a pretty fort of a trick, but it fhan't do thy bufinels for "all that." &*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*& CHA P. XVIII. How Lewis Baboon came to vifit John Bull, and what paffed between them*. I THINK it is but ingenuous to acquaint the reader, that this chapter was not wrote by Sir Humphrey himself, but by another very abie pen of the univerfity of Grubstreet. JOHN OHN had (by fome good inftructions given him by Sir Roger) got the better of his choleric temper, and wrought himfelf up to a great fteadinefs of mind to pursue his own intereft through all impediments that were thrown in the way; he began to leave off fome of his old acquaintance, his roaring and bullying about the fireets; he put on a ferious air, knit his brows, and, for the time, had made a very confiderable progrefs in politics, Private negociations about Dunkirk. confidering Part M. confidering that he had been kept a ftranger to his own affairs. However, he could not help discovering fome remains of his nature, when he happened to meet with a foot ball, or a match at cricket; for which Sir Roger was fure to take him to task. John was walking about his room, with folded arms, and a moft thoughtful countenance: his fervant brought him word, that one Lewis Baboon below wanted to fpeak with him. John had got an impreffion, that Lewis was fo deadly cunning a man, that he was afraid to venture himself alone with him : at laft he took heart of grace; "Let him come up, "quoth he, it is but sticking to my point, and he can never over-reach me." 66 Lewis Baboon. Monfieur Bull, I will frankly aeknowledge, that my behaviour to my neighbours has been fomewhat uncivil, and I believe you will readily grant me, that I have met with ufage accordingly. I was fond of back-fword and cudgel-play from my youth, and now I bear in my body many a black and blue gafh and fear, God knows. I had as good a ware-house, and as fair poffeffions, as any of my neighbours, though I fay it; but a contentious temper, flattering fervants, and unfortunate ftars, have brought me into circumftances that are not unknown to you. Thefe my misfortunes are heightened by domeftic calamities. That I need not relate. I am a poor battered old fellow, and I would willingly end my days in peace: but, alas! I fee but small hopes of that, for every new circumftance affords an argument to my enemies to purfue their revenge; formerly I was to be hanged, becaufe I was too ftrong, and now because I am too weak to refift; I am to be brought down when too rich, and oppreffed when too poor. Nic. Frog has ufed me like a fcoundrel; you are a gentleman, and I freely put myfelf in your hands to difpofe of me as you think fit. J. Bull. Look you, Mafter Baboon, as to your ulage ufage of your neighbours, you had beft not dwell too much upon that chapter; let it fuffice at prefent, that you have been met with: you have been rolling a great ftone up hill all your life, and at laft it has come tumbling down till it is like to crush you to pieces: plain-dealing is beft. If you have any particular mark, Mr. Baboon, whereby one may know when you fib, and when you speak truth, you had beft tell it me, that one may proceed accordingly; but fince at prefent I know of none fuch, it is better that you should trust me, than that I fhould trust you. L. Baboon. I know of no particular mark of veracity amongst us tradefmen, but intereft: and it is manifeftly mine not to deceive you at this time; you may fafely truft me, I can affure you. 7. Bull. The truft I give is in fhort this; I must have fomething in hand, before I make the bargain, and the reft, before it is concluded. L. Baboon. To fhew you I deal fairly, name your fomething. 7. Bull. I need not tell thee, old boy; thou canst guefs. L. Baboon. Ecclefdown-caftle*, I'll warrant you, because it has been formerly in your family! Say no more, you fhall have it. 7. Bull. I fhall have it to m'own self? L. Baboon. To thy n'own felf. 7. Bull. Every wall, gate, room, and inch of Ecclefdown caftle, you say! L. Baboon. Just lo. 7. Bull. Every fingle ftone of Ecclefdown castle, to m'own felf, fpecdily! L. Baboon. When you pleafe; what needs more words? 7. Bull. But tell me, old boy, haft thou laid a; fide all thy equivocals and mentals in this cafe. * Dunkirk, L. Baboon L Bibon. There's nothing like matter of fact; feeing is believing. 7. Bull. Now thou talkeft to the purpose; let us thake hands, old boy. Let me afk the one queftion mo e; what haft thou to do to meddle with the affairs of my family? to difpofe of my eftate, told boy? L. Babson. Just as much as thou haft to do with the affairs of Lord Strutt. 7. Bull. Ay, but my trade, my very being was concerned in that. L. Baboon. And my interest was concerned in the Other: but let us both drop our pretences; for I believe it is a moot point, whether I am more likely to make a Master Bull, or you a Lord Strutt. J. Bull. Agreed, old boy; but then I must have fecurity, that I fhall carry my broad cloth to market, old boy. L. Baboon. That you fhall: Ecclesdown-castle! Ecclefdown! remember that: why wouldst thou not take it, when it was offered thee fome years Jago? 7. Bull. I would not take it, because they told me thou wouldst not give it me. L. Baboon. How could Monfieur Bull be so grofsly abufed by downright nonsense? they that advised you to refuse, must have believed I intend ed to give, elfe why would they not make the experiment? but I can tell you more of that matter, than perhaps you know at prefent. 7. Bull. But what fayeft thou as to the Esquire, Nic. Frog, and the rest of the tradefmen? I must take care of them. L. Baboon. Thou haft but fmall obligations to Nic. to my certain knowledge: He has not used me like a gentleman. 7. Bull. Nic. indeed is not very nice inyour punc tilios tilios of ceremony; he is clownift, as a man may fay: Belching and calling of names have been allowed him time out of mind, by prefcription; but however, we are engaged in one common caufe, and I must look after him. L. Baboon. All matters that relate to him, and the rest of the plaintiffs in this law-fuit, I will refer to your justice. ܀܀ CHAP. XIX. Nic. Frog's letter to John Bull; wherein he endeavours to vindicate all his conduct, with relation to John... Bull and the law-fuit. IC. perceived now that his cully had eloped, that John intended henceforth to deal without a broker; but he was refolved to leave no stone.. unturned to recover his bubble: Amongst other artifices he wrote a moft obliging letter, which he fent him printed in a fair character. DEAR ERIEND *. WHE "narrow HEN I confidered the late ill ufage I have. met with from you, I was reflecting what "it was that could provoke you to it; but upon a infpection into my conduct, I can find. "nothing to reproach myself with, but too partial.... a concern for your intereft. You nó fooner fet "this compofition a-foot, but I was ready to com"ply, and prevented your very wifhes; and the "affair might have been ended before now, had it not been for the greater concerns of Efquire "South, and the other poor creatures imbarked Subftance of the States letter, "in |