第1章

INTRODUCTIONBYHENRYMORLEY。

ThisisthebookwhichfixedthenameandcharacterofJohnBullontheEnglishpeople。Thoughinonepartofthestoryheisthinandlongnosed,asaresultoftrouble,generallyheissuggestedtousas\"ruddyandplump,withapairofcheekslikeatrumpeter,\"anhonesttradesman,simpleandstraightforward,easilycheated;butwhenhetakeshisaffairsintohisownhands,actingwithgoodplainsense,knowingverywellwhathewantsdone,anddoingit。

Thebookwasbegunintheyear1712,andpublishedinfoursuccessivegroupsofchaptersthatdealtplayfully,fromtheTorypointofview,withpublicaffairsleadinguptothePeaceofUtrecht。ThePeaceurgedandmadebytheTorieswasintheselightpapersrecommendedtothepublic。Thelasttouchesintheparablerefertothebeginningoftheyear1713,whentheDukeofOrmondseparatedhistroopsfromthoseoftheAlliesandwenttoreceiveDunkirkasthestipulatedconditionofcessationofarms。AfterthewithdrawaloftheBritishtroops,PrinceEugenewasdefeatedbyMarshalVillarsatDenain,andotherreversesfollowed。ThePeaceofUtrechtwassignedonthe31stofMarch。

Somechaptersinthisbookdealinlikemanner,fromthepointofviewofagood-naturedToryofQueenAnne’stime,withthefeudsofthedaybetweenChurchandDissent。Otherchaptersunitewiththistopicaplayfulaccountofanotherchiefpoliticaleventofthetime——thenegotiationleadingtotheActofUnionbetweenEnglandandScotland,whichreceivedtheRoyalAssentonthe6thofMarch,17O7;JohnBullthenconsentedtoreceivehis\"SisterPeg\"intohishouse。TheChurch,ofcourse,isJohnBull’smother;hisfirstwifeisaWhigParliament,hissecondwifeaToryParliament,whichfirstmetinNovember,171O。

This\"HistoryofJohnBull\"beganwiththefirstofitsfourpartsentitled\"LawisaBottomlessPit,exemplifiedinthecaseofLordStrutt,JohnBull,NicholasFrog,andLewisBaboon,whospentalltheyhadinaLaw-suit。\"ForLawputWar——theWaroftheSpanishSuccession;forlawyers,soldiers;forsessions,campaigns;forverdicts,battleswon;forHumphryHocustheattorney,Marlboroughthegeneral;forlawexpenses,warexpenses;andforaimofthewhole,toaidtheTorypolicyofpeacewithFrance。Asecondpartfollowed,entitled\"JohnBullinhisSenses;\"thethirdpartwascalled\"JohnBullstillinhisSenses;\"andthefourthpart,\"LewisBaboonturnedHonest,andJohnBullPolitician。\"Thefourpartswereafterwardsarrangedintotwo,astheyareherereprinted,andpublishedtogetheras\"TheHistoryofJohnBull,\"withafewnotesbytheauthorwhichsufficientlyexplainitsdrift。

TheauthorwasJohnArbuthnot,aphysician,familiarfriendofPopeandSwift,whomPopeaddressedas\"Friendtomylife,whichdidnotyouprolong,Theworldhadwantedmanyanidlesong;\"

andofwhomSwiftsaid,that\"hehasmorewitthanweallhave,andhishumanityisequaltohiswit。\"\"IftherewereadozenArbuthnotsintheworld,\"saidSwift,\"Iwouldburn’Gulliver’sTravels。’\"

ArbuthnotwasofSwift’sage,bornin1667,sonofaScotchEpiscopalclergyman,wholosthislivingattheRevolution。Hissons——alltrainedinHighChurchprinciples——leftScotlandtoseektheirfortunes;JohncametoLondonandtaughtmathematics。HetookhisdegreeofDoctorofMedicineatSt。Andrewsin1696;founduseformathematicsinhisstudiesofmedicine;becameaFellowoftheRoyalSociety;andbeingbychanceatEpsomwhenQueenAnne’shusbandwastakenill,prescribedforhimsosuccessfullythathewasmadein1705PhysicianExtraordinary,andupontheoccurrenceofavacancyin17O9PhysicianinOrdinary,totheQueen。Swiftcallshimherfavouritephysician。In171OhewasadmittedFellowoftheRoyalCollegeofPhysicians。ThatwasArbuthnot’spositionin1712-13when,attheageofforty-five,hewrotethis\"HistoryofJohnBull。\"HewaspersonalfriendoftheMinisterswhosepolicyhesupported,andespeciallyofHarley,EarlofOxford,theSirRogeroftheHistory。

AfterQueenAnne’sdeath,andthecomingoftheWhigstopower,ArbuthnotlosthisofficeatCourt。Buthewasthefriendandphysicianofallthewits;himselfwithoutliteraryambition,allowingfriendstomakewhatalterationstheypleasedinpiecesthathewrote,orhischildrentomakekitesofthem。Acoupleofyearsbeforehisdeathhesuffereddeeplyfromthelossoftheelderofhistwosons。Hewashimselfafflictedthenwithstone,andretiredtoHampsteadtodie。\"Arecovery,\"hewrotetoSwift,\"isinmycaseandinmyageimpossible;thekindestwishofmyfriendsiseuthanasia。\"Hediedin1735。

AUTHOR’SPREFACE。

WhenIwasfirstcalledtotheofficeofhistoriographertoJohnBull,heexpressedhimselftothispurpose:——\"SirHumphreyPolesworth,*Iknowyouareaplaindealer;itisforthatreasonI

havechosenyouforthisimportanttrust;speakthetruthandsparenot。\"ThatImightfulfilthosehishonourableintentions,I

obtainedleavetorepairto,andattendhiminhismostsecretretirements;andIputthejournalsofalltransactionsintoastrongbox,tobeopenedatafittingoccasion,afterthemannerofthehistoriographersofsomeeasternmonarchs:thisIthoughtwasthesafestway;thoughIdeclareIwasneverafraidtobechopped**

bymymasterfortellingoftruth。Itisfromthosejournalsthatmymemoirsarecompiled:thereforeletnotposterityathousandyearshencelookfortruthinthevoluminousannalsofpedants,whoareentirelyignorantofthesecretspringsofgreatactions;iftheydo,letmetellthemtheywillbenebused。***

*AMemberofParliament,eminentforacertaincantinhisconversation,ofwhichthereisagooddealinthisbook。

**AcantwordofSirHumphrey’s。

***Anothercantword,signifyingdeceived。

WithincrediblepainshaveIendeavouredtocopytheseveralbeautiesoftheancientandmodernhistorians;theimpartialtemperofHerodotus,thegravity,austerity,andstrictmoralsofThucydides,theextensiveknowledgeofXenophon,thesublimityandgrandeurofTitusLivius;andtoavoidthecarelessstyleofPolybius,IhaveborrowedconsiderableornamentsfromDionysiusHalicarnasseus,andDiodorusSiculus。ThespeciousgildingofTacitusIhaveendeavouredtoshun。Mariana,Davila,andFra。

Paulo,arethoseamongstthemodernswhomIthoughtmostworthyofimitation;butIcannotbesodisingenuous,asnottoowntheinfiniteobligationsIhavetothe\"Pilgrim’sProgress\"ofJohnBunyan,andthe\"TenterBelly\"oftheReverendJosephHall。

Fromsuchencouragementandhelps,itiseasytoguesstowhatadegreeofperfectionImighthavebroughtthisgreatwork,haditnotbeennippedinthebudbysomeilliteratepeopleinbothHousesofParliament,whoenvyingthegreatfigureIwastomakeinfutureages,underpretenceofraisingmoneyforthewar,*havepadlockedallthoseverypensthatweretocelebratetheactionsoftheirheroes,bysilencingatoncethewholeuniversityofGrubStreet。I

ampersuadedthatnothingbuttheprospectofanapproachingpeacecouldhaveencouragedthemtomakesoboldastep。Butsufferme,inthenameoftherestofthematriculatesofthatfamousuniversity,toaskthemsomeplainquestions:Dotheythinkthatpeacewillbringalongwithitthegoldenage?Willtherebeneveradyingspeechofatraitor?AreCethegusandCatilineturnedsotame,thattherewillbenoopportunitytocryaboutthestreets,\"A

DangerousPlot?\"Willpeacebringsuchplentythatnogentlemanwillhaveoccasiontogouponthehighway,orbreakintoahouse?I

amsorrythattheworldshouldbesomuchimposeduponbythedreamsofafalseprophet,astoimaginetheMillenniumisathand。OGrubStreet!thoufruitfulnurseryoftoweringgeniuses!HowdoIlamentthydownfall?ThyruincouldneverbemeditatedbyanywhomeantwelltoEnglishliberty。Nomodernlyceumwilleverequalthyglory:whetherinsoftpastoralsthoudidstsingtheflamesofpamperedapprenticesandcoycookmaids;ormournfuldittiesofdepartinglovers;oriftoMaeonianstrainsthouraisedstthyvoice,torecordthestratagems,thearduousexploits,andthenocturnalscaladeofneedyheroes,theterrorofyourpeacefulcitizens,describingthepowerfulBettyortheartfulPicklock,orthesecretcavernsandgrottoesofVulcansweatingathisforge,andstampingthequeen’simageonvilermetalswhichheretailsforbeefandpotsofale;orifthouwertcontentinsimplenarrative,torelatethecruelactsofimplacablerevenge,orthecomplaintofravishedvirginsblushingtotelltheiradventuresbeforethelisteningcrowdofcitydamsels,whilstinthyfaithfulhistorythouintermingledstthegravestcounselsandthepurestmorals。Norlessacuteandpiercingwertthouinthysearchandpompousdescriptionsoftheworksofnature;whetherinproperandemphatictermsthoudidstpainttheblazingcomet’sfierytail,thestupendousforceofdreadfulthunderandearthquakes,andtheunrelentinginundations。

Sometimes,withMachiaveliansagacity,thouunravelledstintriguesofstate,andthetraitorousconspiraciesofrebels,givingwisecounseltomonarchs。HowdidstthoumoveourterrorandourpitywiththypassionatescenesbetweenJackCatchandtheheroesoftheOldBailey?HowdidstthoudescribetheirintrepidmarchupHolbornHill?Nordidstthoushinelessinthytheologicalcapacity,whenthougavestghostlycounselstodyingfelons,anddidstrecordtheguiltypangsofSabbathbreakers。HowwillthenobleartsofJohnOverton’s**paintingandsculpturenowlanguish?whererichinvention,properexpression,correctdesign,divineattitudes,andartfulcontrast,heightenedwiththebeautiesofClar。Obscur。,embellishedthycelebratedpieces,tothedelightandastonishmentofthejudiciousmultitude!Adieu,persuasiveeloquence!thequaintmetaphor,thepoignantirony,theproperepithet,andthelivelysimile,arefledforever!Insteadofthese,weshallhave,Iknownotwhat!Theilliteratewilltelltherestwithpleasure。

*Actrestrainingthelibertyofthepress,etc。

**TheengraverofthecutsbeforetheGrubStreetpapers。

Ihopethereaderwillexcusethisdigression,duebywayofcondolencetomyworthybrethrenofGrubStreet,fortheapproachingbarbaritythatislikelytooverspreadallitsregionsbythisoppressiveandexorbitanttax。Ithasbeenmygoodfortunetoreceivemyeducationthere;andsolongasIpreservedsomefigureandrankamongstthelearnedofthatsociety,IscornedtotakemydegreeeitheratUtrechtorLeyden,thoughIwasoffereditgratisbytheprofessorsinthoseuniversities。

Andnowthatposteritymaynotbeignorantinwhatagesoexcellentahistorywaswritten(whichwouldotherwise,nodoubt,bethesubjectofitsinquiries),Ithinkitpropertoinformthelearnedoffuturetimes,thatitwascompiledwhenLouisXIV。wasKingofFrance,andPhiliphisgrandsonofSpain;whenEnglandandHolland,inconjunctionwiththeEmperorandtheAllies,enteredintoawaragainstthesetwoprinces,whichlastedtenyears,underthemanagementoftheDukeofMarlborough,andwasputtoaconclusionbytheTreatyofUtrecht,undertheministryoftheEarlofOxford,intheyear1713。

ManyatthattimedidimaginethehistoryofJohnBull,andthepersonagesmentionedinit,tobeallegorical,whichtheauthorwouldneverown。Notwithstanding,toindulgethereader’sfancyandcuriosity,Ihaveprintedatthebottomofthepagethesupposedallusionsofthemostobscurepartsofthestory。

THEHISTORYOFJOHNBULL。

CHAPTERI。TheOccasionoftheLawSuit。

IneednottellyouofthegreatquarrelsthathavehappenedinourneighbourhoodsincethedeathofthelateLordStrutt;*howtheparson**andacunningattorneygothimtosettlehisestateuponhiscousinPhilipBaboon,tothegreatdisappointmentofhiscousinEsquireSouth。Somesticknottosaythattheparsonandtheattorneyforgedawill;forwhichtheywerewellpaidbythefamilyoftheBaboons。Letthatbeasitwill,itismatteroffactthatthehonourandestatehavecontinuedeversinceinthepersonofPhilipBaboon。

*LateKingofSpain。

**CardinalPortocarero。

YouknowthattheLordStruttshaveformanyyearsbeenpossessedofaverygreatlandedestate,wellconditioned,wooded,watered,withcoal,salt,tin,copper,iron,etc。,allwithinthemselves;thatithasbeenthemisfortuneofthatfamilytobethepropertyoftheirstewards,tradesmen,andinferiorservants,whichhasbroughtgreatincumbrancesuponthem;atthesametime,theirnotabatingoftheirexpensivewayoflivinghasforcedthemtomortgagetheirbestmanors。Itiscrediblyreportedthatthebutcher’sandbaker’sbillofaLordStruttthatlivedtwohundredyearsagoarenotyetpaid。

WhenPhilipBabooncamefirsttothepossessionoftheLordStrutt’sestate,histradesmen,*asisusualuponsuchoccasions,waiteduponhimtowishhimjoyandbespeakhiscustom。ThetwochiefwereJohnBull,**theclothier,andNic。Frog,***thelinendraper。TheytoldhimthattheBullsandFrogshadservedtheLordStruttswithdraperywareformanyyears;thattheywerehonestandfairdealers;

thattheirbillshadneverbeenquestioned;thattheLordStruttslivedgenerously,andneverusedtodirtytheirfingerswithpen,ink,andcounters;thathislordshipmightdependupontheirhonestythattheywouldusehimaskindlyastheyhaddonehispredecessors。

Theyounglordseemedtotakeallingoodpart,anddismissedthemwithadealofseemingcontent,assuringthemhedidnotintendtochangeanyofthehonourablemaximsofhispredecessors。

*ThefirstlettersofcongratulationfromKingWilliamandtheStatesofHollanduponKingPhilip’saccessiontothecrownofSpain。

**TheEnglish。

***TheDutch。

CHAPTERII。HowBullandFroggrewjealousthattheLordStruttintendedtogiveallhiscustomtohisgrandfatherLewisBaboon。

Ithappenedunfortunatelyforthepeaceofourneighbourhoodthatthisyounglordhadanoldcunningrogue,or,astheScotscallit,afalseloonofagrandfather,thatonemightjustlycallaJack-

of-all-Trades。*Sometimesyouwouldseehimbehindhiscountersellingbroadcloth,sometimesmeasuringlinen;nextdayhewouldbedealinginmerceryware。Highheads,ribbons,gloves,fans,andlaceheunderstoodtoanicety。CharlesMathercouldnotbubbleayoungbeaubetterwithatoy;nay,hewoulddescendeventothesellingoftape,garters,andshoe-buckles。Whenshopwasshutuphewouldgoabouttheneighbourhoodandearnhalf-a-crownbyteachingtheyoungmenandmaidstodance。Bythesemethodshehadacquiredimmenseriches,whichheusedtosquander*awayatback-sword,quarter-staff,andcudgel-play,inwhichhetookgreatpleasure,andchallengedallthecountry。YouwillsayitisnowonderifBullandFrogshouldbejealousofthisfellow。\"Itisnotimpossible,\"

saysFrogtoBull,\"butthisoldroguewilltakethemanagementoftheyounglord’sbusinessintohishands;besides,therascalhasgoodware,andwillservehimascheapasanybody。Inthatcase,I

leaveyoutojudgewhatmustbecomeofusandourfamilies;wemuststarve,orturnjourneymantooldLewisBaboon。Therefore,neighbour,IholditadvisablethatwewritetoyoungLordStrutttoknowthebottomofthismatter。\"

*ThecharacterandtradeoftheFrenchnation。

**TheKing’sdispositiontowar。

CHAPTERIII。ACopyofBullandFrog’sLettertoLordStrutt。

MyLord,——IsupposeyourlordshipknowsthattheBullsandtheFrogshaveservedtheLordStruttswithallsortsofdraperywaretimeoutofmind。Andwhereaswearejealous,notwithoutreason,thatyourlordshipintendshenceforthtobuyofyourgrandsireoldLewisBaboon,thisistoinformyourlordshipthatthisproceedingdoesnotsuitwiththecircumstancesofourfamilies,whohavelivedandmadeagoodfigureintheworldbythegenerosityoftheLordStrutts。Thereforewethinkfittoacquaintyourlordshipthatyoumustfindsufficientsecuritytous,ourheirs,andassignsthatyouwillnotemployLewisBaboon,orelsewewilltakeourremedyatlaw,clapanactionuponyouof2O,OOOpoundsforolddebts,seizeanddistrainyourgoodsandchattels,which,consideringyourlordship’scircumstances,willplungeyouintodifficulties,fromwhichitwillnotbeeasytoextricateyourself。Thereforewehope,whenyourlordshiphasbetterconsideredonit,youwillcomplywiththedesireofYourlovingfriends,JOHNBULL,NIC。FROG。

SomeofBull’sfriendsadvisedhimtotakegentlermethodswiththeyounglord,butJohnnaturallylovedroughplay。ItisimpossibletoexpressthesurpriseoftheLordStruttuponthereceiptofthisletter。Hewasnotflushinreadyeithertogotolaworclearolddebts,neithercouldhefindgoodbail。Heofferedtobringmatterstoafriendlyaccommodation,andpromised,uponhiswordofhonour,thathewouldnotchangehisdrapers;butalltonopurpose,forBullandFrogsawclearlythatoldLewiswouldhavethecheatingofhim。

CHAPTERIV。HowBullandFrogwenttolawwithLordStruttaboutthepremises,andwerejoinedbytherestofthetradesmen。

AllendeavoursofaccommodationbetweenLordStruttandhisdrapersprovedvain。Jealousiesincreased,and,indeed,itwasrumouredabroadthatLordStrutthadbespokehisnewliveriesofoldLewisBaboon。ThiscomingtoMrs。Bull’sears,whenJohnBullcamehome,hefoundallhisfamilyinanuproar。Mrs。Bull,youmustknow,wasveryapttobecholeric。\"Yousot,\"saysshe,\"youloiteraboutalehousesandtaverns,spendyourtimeatbilliards,ninepins,orpuppet-shows,orflauntaboutthestreetsinyournewgiltchariot,nevermindingmenoryournumerousfamily。Don’tyouhearhowLordStrutthasbespokehisliveriesatLewisBaboon’sshop?Don’tyouseehowthatoldfoxstealsawayyourcustomers,andturnsyououtofyourbusinesseveryday,andyousitlikeanidledrone,withyourhandsinyourpockets?Fieuponit。Upman,rousethyself;

I’llselltomyshiftbeforeI’llbesousedbythatknave。\"*YoumustthinkMrs。BullhadbeenprettywelltunedupbyFrog,whochimedinwithherlearnedharangue。Nofurtherdelaynow,buttocounsellearnedinthelawtheygo,whounanimouslyassuredthembothofjusticeandinfalliblesuccessoftheirlawsuit。

*ThesentimentsandaddressesoftheParliamentatthattime。

ItoldyoubeforethatoldLewisBaboonwasasortofaJack-of-all-trades,whichmadetherestofthetradesmenjealous,aswellasBullandFrog;theyhearingofthequarrel,weregladofanopportunityofjoiningagainstoldLewisBaboon,providedthatBullandFrogwouldbearthechargesofthesuit。EvenlyingNed,thechimney-sweeperofSavoy,andTom,thePortugaldustman,putintheirclaims,andthecausewasputintothehandsofHumphryHocus,theattorney。

Adeclarationwasdrawnuptoshow\"ThatBullandFroghadundoubtedrightbyprescriptiontobedraperstotheLordStrutts;thattherewereseveraloldcontractstothatpurpose;thatLewisBaboonhadtakenupthetradeofclothieranddraperwithoutservinghistimeorpurchasinghisfreedom;thathesoldgoodsthatwerenotmarketablewithoutthestamp;thathehimselfwasmorefitforabullythanatradesman,andwentaboutthroughallthecountryfairschallengingpeopletofightprizes,wrestlingandcudgelplay,andabundancemoretothispurpose。\"

CHAPTERV。ThetruecharactersofJohnBull,Nic。Frog,andHocus。*

*CharactersoftheEnglishandDutch,andtheGeneralDukeofMarlborough。

ForthebetterunderstandingthefollowinghistorythereaderoughttoknowthatBull,inthemain,wasanhonest,plain-dealingfellow,choleric,bold,andofaveryunconstanttemper;hedreadednotoldLewiseitheratback-sword,singlefalchion,orcudgel-play;butthenhewasveryapttoquarrelwithhisbestfriends,especiallyiftheypretendedtogovernhim。Ifyouflatteredhimyoumightleadhimlikeachild。John’stemperdependedverymuchupontheair;

hisspiritsroseandfellwiththeweather-glass。Johnwasquickandunderstoodhisbusinessverywell,butnomanalivewasmorecarelessinlookingintohisaccounts,ormorecheatedbypartners,apprentices,andservants。Thiswasoccasionedbyhisbeingabooncompanion,lovinghisbottleandhisdiversion;for,tosaytruth,nomankeptabetterhousethanJohn,norspenthismoneymoregenerously。ByplainandfairdealingJohnhadacquiredsomeplums,andmighthavekeptthem,haditnotbeenforhisunhappylawsuit。

Nic。Frogwasacunning,slyfellow,quitethereverseofJohninmanyparticulars;covetous,frugal,mindeddomesticaffairs,wouldpinchhisbellytosavehispocket,neverlostafarthingbycarelessservantsorbaddebtors。Hedidnotcaremuchforanysortofdiversion,excepttricksofhighGermanartistsandlegerdemain。

NomanexceededNic。inthese;yetitmustbeownedthatNic。wasafairdealer,andinthatwayacquiredimmenseriches。

Hocuswasanoldcunningattorney,andthoughthiswasthefirstconsiderablesuitthateverhewasengagedinheshowedhimselfsuperiorinaddresstomostofhisprofession。Hekeptalwaysgoodclerks,helovedmoney,wassmooth-tongued,gavegoodwords,andseldomlosthistemper。Hewasnotworsethananinfidel,forheprovidedplentifullyforhisfamily,buthelovedhimselfbetterthanthemall。Theneighboursreportedthathewashenpecked,whichwasimpossible,bysuchamild-spiritedwomanashiswifewas。

CHAPTERVI。OfthevarioussuccessoftheLawsuit。*

*Thesuccessofthewar。

Lawisabottomlesspit;itisacormorant,aharpy,thatdevourseverything。JohnBullwasflatteredbythelawyersthathissuitwouldnotlastaboveayearortwoatmost;thatbeforethattimehewouldbeinquietpossessionofhisbusiness;yettenlongyearsdidHocussteerhiscausethroughallthemeandersofthelawandallthecourts。Noskill,noaddresswaswanting,and,tosaytruth,Johndidnotstarvethecause;therewantednotyellowboystofeecounsel,hirewitnesses,andbribejuries。LordStruttwasgenerallycast,neverhadoneverdictinhisfavour,andJohnwaspromisedthatthenext,andthenext,wouldbethefinaldetermination;but,alas!thatfinaldeterminationandhappyconclusionwaslikeanenchantedisland;thenearerJohncametoitthefurtheritwentfromhim。Newtrialsuponnewpointsstillarose,newdoubts,newmatterstobecleared;inshort,lawyersseldompartwithsogoodacausetilltheyhavegottheoysterandtheirclientstheshell。John’sreadymoney,bookdebts,bonds,mortgages,allwentintothelawyers’pockets。ThenJohnbegantoborrowmoneyuponBankStockandEastIndiaBonds。Nowandthenafarmwenttopot。AtlastitwasthoughtagoodexpedienttosetupEsquireSouth’stitletoprovethewillforgedanddispossessPhilipLordStruttatonce。Hereagainwasanewfieldforthelawyers,andthecausegrewmoreintricatethanever。Johngrewmadderandmadder;whereverhemetanyofLordStrutt’sservantshetoreofftheirclothes。Nowandthenyouwouldseethemcomehomenaked,withoutshoes,stockings,andlinen。AsforoldLewisBaboon,hewasreducedtohislastshift,thoughhehadasmanyasanyother。

Hischildrenwerereducedfromrichsilkstodoilystuffs,hisservantsinragsandbarefooted;insteadofgoodvictualstheynowliveduponneckbeefandbullock’sliver。Inshort,nobodygotmuchbythematterbutthemenoflaw。

CHAPTERVII。HowJohnBullwassomightilypleasedwithhissuccessthathewasgoingtoleaveoffhistradeandturnLawyer。

Itiswiselyobservedbyagreatphilosopherthathabitisasecondnature。ThiswasverifiedinthecaseofJohnBull,who,fromanhonestandplaintradesman,hadgotsuchahauntabouttheCourtsofJustice,andsuchajargonoflawwords,thatheconcludedhimselfasablealawyerasanythatpleadedatthebarorsatonthebench。

Hewasoverheardonedaytalkingtohimselfafterthismanner:\"Howcapriciouslydoesfateorchancedisposeofmankind。HowseldomisthatbusinessallottedtoamanforwhichheisfittedbyNature。

ItisplainIwasintendedforamanoflaw。Howdidmyguardiansmistakemygeniusinplacingme,likeameanslave,behindacounter?Blessme!whatimmenseestatesthesefellowsraisebythelaw。Besides,itistheprofessionofagentleman。Whatapleasureitistobevictoriousinacause:toswaggeratthebar。WhatafoolamItodrudgeanymoreinthiswoollentrade。ForalawyerI

wasborn,andalawyerIwillbe;oneisnevertoooldtolearn。\"*

AllthiswhileJohnhadconnedoversuchacatalogueofhardwordsaswereenoughtoconjureupthedevil;theseheusedtobabbleindifferentlyinallcompanies,especiallyatcoffeehouses,sothathisneighbourtradesmenbegantoshunhiscompanyasamanthatwascracked。InsteadoftheaffairsofBlackwellHallandpriceofbroadcloth,wool,andbaizes,hetalksofnothingbutactionsuponthecase,returns,capias,aliascapias,demurrers,venirefacias,replevins,supersedeases,certioraries,writsoferror,actionsoftroverandconversion,trespasses,precipes,anddedimus。Thiswasmatterofjesttothelearnedinlaw;howeverHocusandtherestofthetribeencouragedJohninhisfancy,assuringhimthathehadagreatgeniusforlaw;thattheyquestionednotbutintimehemightraisemoneyenoughbyittoreimbursehimofallhischarges;thatifhestudiedhewouldundoubtedlyarrivetothedignityofaLordChiefJustice。AsfortheadviceofhonestfriendsandneighboursJohndespisedit;helookeduponthemasfellowsofalowgenius,poorgrovellingmechanics。Johnreckoneditmorehonourtohavegotonefavourableverdictthantohavesoldabaleofbroadcloth。AsforNic。Frog,tosaythetruth,hewasmoreprudent;forthoughhefollowedhislawsuitcloselyheneglectednothisordinarybusiness,butwasbothincourtandinhisshopattheproperhours。

*Themannersandsentimentsofthenationatthattime。

CHAPTERVIII。HowJohndiscoveredthatHocushadanIntriguewithhisWife;*andwhatfollowedthereupon。

Johnhadnotrunonamaddingsolonghaditnotbeenforanextravagantwife,whomHocusperceivingJohntobefondof,wasresolvedtowinovertohisside。Itisatruesaying,thatthelastmanoftheparishthatknowsofhiscuckoldomishimself。ItwasobservedbyalltheneighbourhoodthatHocushaddealingswithJohn’swifethatwerenotsomuchforhishonour;butthiswasperceivedbyJohnalittletoolate:shewasaluxuriousjade,lovedsplendidequipages,plays,treatsandballs,differingverymuchfromthesobermannersofherancestors,andbynomeansfitforatradesman’swife。Hocusfedherextravagancy(whatwasstillmoreshameful)withJohn’sownmoney。EverybodysaidthatHocushadamonth’smindtoher;bethatasitwill,itismatteroffact,thatuponalloccasionssheranoutextravagantlyonthepraiseofHocus。WhenJohnusedtobefindingfaultwithhisbills,sheusedtoreproachhimasungratefultohisgreatestbenefactor;onethathadtakensomuchpainsinhislawsuit,andretrievedhisfamilyfromtheoppressionofoldLewisBaboon。AgoodswingingsumofJohn’sreadiestcashwenttowardsbuildingofHocus’scountryhouse。**ThisaffairbetweenHocusandMrs。Bullwasnowsoopen,thatalltheworldwasscandalisedatit;Johnwasnotsoclod-pated,butatlasthetookthehint。Theparsonoftheparishpreachingonedaywithmorezealthansenseagainstadultery,Mrs。

Bulltoldherhusbandthathewasaveryuncivilfellowtousesuchcoarselanguagebeforepeopleofcondition;***thatHocuswasofthesamemind,andthattheywouldjointohavehimturnedoutofhislivingforusingpersonalreflections。Howdoyoumean,saysJohn,bypersonalreflections?IhopeinGod,wife,hedidnotreflectuponyou?\"No,thankGod,myreputationistoowellestablishedintheworldtoreceiveanyhurtfromsuchafoul-mouthedscoundrelashe;hisdoctrinetendsonlytomakehusbandstyrants,andwivesslaves;mustwebeshutup,andhusbandslefttotheirliberty?

Veryprettyindeed!awifemustnevergoabroadwithaPlatonictoseeaplayoraball;shemustneverstirwithoutherhusband;norwalkinSpringGardenwithacousin。Idosay,husband,andIwillstandbyit,thatwithouttheinnocentfreedomsoflife,matrimonywouldbeamostintolerablestate;andthatawife’svirtueoughttobetheresultofherownreason,andnotofherhusband’sgovernment:formypart,Iwouldscornahusbandthatwouldbejealous,ifhesawafellowwithme。\"AllthiswhileJohn’sbloodboiledinhisveins:hewasnowconfirmedinallhissuspicions;

thehardestnames,werethebestwordsthatJohngaveher。Thingswentfrombettertoworse,tillMrs。BullaimedaknifeatJohn,thoughJohnthrewabottleatherheadverybrutallyindeed:andafterthistherewasnothingbutconfusion;bottles,glasses,spoons,plates,knives,forks,anddishes,flewaboutlikedust;theresultofwhichwas,thatMrs。Bullreceivedabruiseinherrightsideofwhichshediedhalfayearafter。Thebruiseimposthumated,andafterwardsturnedtoastinkingulcer,whichmadeeverybodyshytocomenearher,yetshewantednotthehelpofmanyablephysicians,whoattendedverydiligently,anddidwhatmenofskillcoulddo;butalltonopurpose,forherconditionwasnowquitedesperate,allregularphysiciansandhernearestrelationshavinggivenherover。****

*TheopinionatthattimeoftheGeneral’stamperingwiththeParliament。

**BlenheimPalace。

***ThestoryofDr。Sacheverel,andtheresentmentoftheHouseofCommons。

****TheopinionoftheToriesaboutthatHouseofCommons。

CHAPTERIX。HowsomeQuacksundertooktocureMrs。Bullofherulcer。*

ThereisnothingsoimpossibleinNaturebutmountebankswillundertake;nothingsoincrediblebuttheywillaffirm:Mrs。Bull’sconditionwaslookeduponasdesperatebyallthemenofart;buttherewerethosethatbraggedtheyhadaninfallibleointmentandplaister,whichbeingappliedtothesore,wouldcureitinafewdays;atthesametimetheywouldgiveherapillthatwouldpurgeoffallherbadhumours,sweetenherblood,andrectifyherdisturbedimagination。Inspiteofallapplicationsthepatientgrewworseeveryday;shestunkso,nobodydurstcomewithinastone’sthrowofher,exceptthosequackswhoattendedherclose,andapprehendednodanger。IfoneaskedthemhowMrs。Bulldid?

Betterandbetter,saidthey;thepartsheal,andherconstitutionmends:ifshesubmitstoourgovernmentshewillbeabroadinalittletime。Nay,itisreportedthattheywrotetoherfriendsinthecountrythatsheshoulddanceajignextOctoberinWestminsterHall,andthatherillnesshadbeenchieflyowingtobadphysicians。

Atlast,oneofthemwassentforingreathaste,hispatientgrewworseandworse:whenhecame,heaffirmedthatitwasagrossmistake,andthatshewasneverinafairerway。Bringhitherthesalve,sayshe,andgiveheraplentifuldraughtofmycordial。Ashewasapplyinghisointments,andadministeringthecordial,thepatientgaveuptheghost,tothegreatconfusionofthequack,andthegreatjoyofBullandhisfriends。Thequackflungawayoutofthehouseingreatdisorder,andsworetherewasfoulplay,forhewassurehismedicineswereinfallible。Mrs。Bullhavingdiedwithoutanysignsofrepentanceordevotion,theclergywouldhardlyallowheraChristianburial。TherelationshadonceresolvedtosueJohnforthemurder,butconsideringbetterofit,andthatsuchatrialwouldripupoldsores,anddiscoverthingsnotsomuchtothereputationofthedeceased,theydroppedtheirdesign。Sheleftnowill,onlytherewasfoundinherstrongboxthefollowingwordswrittenonascripofpaper——\"MycurseonJohnBull,andallmyposterity,ifevertheycometoanycompositionwiththeLordStrutt。\"

Shelefthimthreedaughters,whosenameswerePolemia,Discordia,andUsuria。**

*EndeavoursandhopesofsomepeopletohinderthedissolutionofthatParliament。

**War,faction,andusury。

CHAPTERX。OfJohnBull’ssecondWife,andthegoodAdvicethatshegavehim。*

Johnquicklygotthebetterofhisgrief,and,seeingthatneitherhisconstitutionnortheaffairsofhisfamily,couldpermithimtoliveinanunmarriedstate,heresolvedtogethimanotherwife;acousinofhislastwife’swasproposed,butJohnwouldhavenomoreofthebreed。Inshort,heweddedasobercountrygentlewoman,ofagoodfamilyandaplentifulfortune,thereverseoftheotherinhertemper;notbutthatshelovedmoney,forshewassaving,andappliedherfortunetopayJohn’sclamorousdebts,thattheunfrugalmethodofhislastwife,andthisruinouslawsuit,hadbroughthiminto。Oneday,asshehadgotherhusbandinagoodhumour,shetalkedtohimafterthefollowingmanner:——\"Mydear,sinceIhavebeenyourwife,Ihaveobservedgreatabusesanddisordersinyourfamily:yourservantsaremutinousandquarrelsome,andcheatyoumostabominably;yourcookmaidisinacombinationwithyourbutcher,poulterer,andfishmonger;yourbutlerpurloinsyourliquor,andthebrewersellsyouhogwash;yourbakercheatsbothinweightandintale;evenyourmilkwomanandyournursery-maidhaveafellowfeeling;yourtailor,insteadofshreds,cabbageswholeyardsofcloth;besides,leavingsuchlongscores,andnotgoingtomarketwithreadymoneyforcesustotakebadwareofthetradesmenattheirownprice。Youhavenotpostedyourbooksthesetenyears。

Howisitpossibleforamanofbusinesstokeephisaffairsevenintheworldatthisrate?PrayGodthisHocusbehonest;wouldtoGodyouwouldlookoverhisbills,andseehowmattersstandbetweenFrogandyou。Prodigioussumsarespentinthislawsuit,andmoremustbeborrowedofscrivenersandusurersatheavyinterest。

Besides,mydear,letmebegofyoutolayasidethatwildprojectofleavingyourbusinesstoturnlawyer,forwhich,letmetellyou,Natureneverdesignedyou。Believeme,theseroguesdobutflatter,thattheymaypickyourpocket;observewhataparcelofhungryraggedfellowslivebyyourcause;tobesuretheywillnevermakeanendofit。Iforeseethishauntyouhavegotaboutthecourtswillonedayoranotherbringyourfamilytobeggary。Consider,mydear,howindecentitistoabandonyourshopandfollowpettifoggers;thehabitissostronguponyou,thatthereishardlyapleabetweentwocountryesquires,aboutabarrenacreuponacommon,butyoudrawyourselfinasbail,surety,orsolicitor。\"

Johnheardherallthiswhilewithpatience,tillsheprickedhismaggot,andtouchedhiminthetenderpoint。Thenhebrokeoutintoaviolentpassion:\"What,Inotfitforalawyer?letmetellyou,myclod-patedrelationsspoiledthegreatestgeniusintheworldwhentheybredmeamechanic。LordStrutt,andhisoldrogueofagrandsire,havefoundtotheircostthatIcanmanagealawsuitaswellasanother。\"\"Idon’tdenywhatyousay,\"repliedMrs。Bull,\"nordoIcallinquestionyourparts;but,Isay,itdoesnotsuitwithyourcircumstances;youandyourpredecessorshavelivedingoodreputationamongyourneighboursbythissameclothing-trade,anditweremadnesstoleaveitoff。Besides,therearefewthatknowallthetricksandcheatsoftheselawyers。Doesnotyourownexperienceteachyouhowtheyhavedrawnyouonfromonetermtoanother,andhowyouhavedancedtheroundofallthecourts,stillflatteringyouwithafinalissue;and,foraughtIcansee,yourcauseisnotabitclearerthanitwassevenyearsago。\"\"Iwillbehanged,\"saysJohn,\"ifIacceptofanycompositionfromStruttorhisgrandfather;I’llratherwheelaboutthestreetsanenginetogrindknivesandscissors。However,I’lltakeyouradvice,andlookovermyaccounts。\"

*AnewParliament:theaversionofaToryHouseofCommonstowar。

CHAPTERXI。HowJohnlookedoverhisAttorney’sBill。*

*Lookingovertheaccounts。

WhenJohnfirstbroughtoutthebills,thesurpriseofallthefamilywasunexpressibleattheprodigiousdimensionsofthem;theywouldhavemeasuredwiththebestbaleofclothinJohn’sshop。

Feestojudges,punyjudges,clerks,prothonotaries,philisers,chirographers,under-clerks,proclamators,counsel,witnesses,jurymen,marshals,tipstaffs,criers,porters;forenrollings,exemplifications,bails,vouchers,returns,caveats,examinations,filingsofwords,entries,declarations,replications,recordats,nolleprosequies,certioraries,mittimuses,demurrers,specialverdicts,informations,scirefacias,supersedeas,habeascorpus,coach-hire,treatingofwitnesses,etc。\"Verily,\"saysJohn,\"thereareaprodigiousnumberoflearnedwordsinthislaw;whataprettyscienceitis!\"\"Aybut,husband,youhavepaidforeverysyllableandletterofthesefinewords。Blessme,whatimmensesumsareatthebottomoftheaccount!\"Johnspentseveralweeksinlookingoverhisbills,and,bycomparingandstatinghisaccounts,hediscoveredthat,besidestheextravaganceofeveryarticle,hehadbeenegregiouslycheated;thathehadpaidforcounselthatwereneverfee’d,forwritsthatwereneverdrawn,fordinnersthatwereneverdressed,andjourneysthatwerenevermade;inshort,thatthetradesmen,lawyers,andFroghadagreedtothrowtheburdenofthelawsuituponhisshoulders。

CHAPTERXII。HowJohngrewangry,andresolvedtoacceptaComposition;andwhatMethodswerepractisedbytheLawyersforkeepinghimfromit。*

WellmightthelearnedDanielBurgesssay,\"Thatalawsuitisasuitforlife。Hethatsowshisgrainuponmarblewillhavemanyahungrybellybeforeharvest。\"ThisJohnfeltbywoefulexperience。

John’scausewasagoodmilchcow,andmanyamansubsistedhisfamilyoutofit。However,Johnbegantothinkithightimetolookabouthim。Hehadacousininthecountry,oneSirRogerBold,whosepredecessorshadbeenbreduptothelaw,andknewasmuchofitasanybody;buthavingleftofftheprofessionforsometime,theytookgreatpleasureincompoundinglawsuitsamongtheirneighbours,forwhichtheyweretheaversionofthegentlemenofthelongrobe,andatperpetualwarwithallthecountryattorneys。

JohnputhiscauseinSirRoger’shands,desiringhimtomakethebestofit。Thenewshadnosoonerreachedtheearsofthelawyers,buttheywereallinanuproar。TheybroughtalltherestofthetradesmenuponJohn。**SquireSouthsworehewasbetrayed,thathewouldstarvebeforehecompounded;Frogsaidhewashighlywronged;

evenlyingNedthechimney-sweeperandTomthedustmancomplainedthattheirinterestwassacrificed;thelawyers,solicitors,Hocusandhisclerks,wereallupinarmsatthenewsofthecomposition:

theyabusedhimandhiswifemostshamefully。\"Yousilly,awkward,ill-bredcountrysow,\"quothone,\"haveyounomoremannersthantorailatHocusthathassavedthatclod-patednumskulledninny-hammerofyoursfromruin,andallhisfamily?Itiswellknownhowhehasroseearlyandsatuplatetomakehimeasy,whenhewassottingateveryalehouseintown。Iknewhislastwife:shewasawomanofbreeding,goodhumour,andcomplaisance——knewhowtoliveintheworld。Asforyou,youlooklikeapuppetmovedbyclockwork;yourclotheshanguponyouastheywereupontenter-hooks;andyoucomeintoaroomasyouweregoingtostealawayapintpot。Getyougoneinthecountry,tolookafteryourmother’spoultry,tomilkthecows,churnthebutter,anddressupnosegaysforaholiday,andnotmeddlewithmatterswhichyouknownomoreofthanthesign-postbeforeyourdoor。ItiswellknownthatHocushasanestablishedreputation;heneversworeanoath,nortoldalie,inallhislife;

heisgratefultohisbenefactors,faithfultohisfriends,liberaltohisdependents,anddutifultohissuperiors;hevaluesnotyourmoneymorethanthedustunderhisfeet,buthehatestobeabused。

Onceforall,Mrs。Minx,leaveofftalkingofHocus,orIwillpulloutthesesaucer-eyesofyours,andmakethatredstreakcountryfacelookasrawasanox-cheekuponabutcher’s-stall;remember,Isay,thattherearepilloriesandducking-stools。\"***Withthisawaytheyflung,leavingMrs。Bullnotimetoreply。NostonewasleftunturnedtofrightenJohnfromhiscomposition。Sometimestheyspreadreportsatcoffee-housesthatJohnandhiswifewererunmad;

thattheyintendedtogiveuphouse,andmakeoveralltheirestatetoLewisBaboon;thatJohnhadbeenoftenheardtalkingtohimself,andseeninthestreetswithoutshoesorstockings;thathedidnothingfrommorningtillnightbutbeathisservants,afterhavingbeenthebestmasteralive。Asforhiswife,shewasamerenatural。SometimesJohn’shousewasbesetwithawholeregimentofattornies’clerks,bailiffs,andbailiffs’followers,andothersmallretainersofthelaw,whothrewstonesathiswindows,anddirtathimselfashewentalongthestreet。WhenJohncomplainedofwantofready-moneytocarryonhissuit,theyadvisedhimtopawnhisplateandjewels,andthatMrs。Bullshouldsellherlinenandwearingclothes。

*Talkofpeace,andthestruggleofthepartyagainstit。

**TheendeavoursmadeuseoftostoptheTreatyofPeace,***ReflectionsupontheHouseofCommonsasignorant,whoknownothingofbusiness。

CHAPTERXIII。Mrs。Bull’svindicationoftheindispensabledutyincumbentuponWivesincaseoftheTyranny,Infidelity,orInsufficiencyofHusbands;beingafullAnswertotheDoctor’sSermonagainstAdultery。*

*TheTories’representationofthespeechesatSacheverel’strial。

Johnfounddailyfreshproofsoftheinfidelityandbaddesignsofhisdeceasedwife;amongstotherthings,onedaylookingoverhiscabinet,hefoundthefollowingpaper:——

\"Itisevidentthatmatrimonyisfoundeduponanoriginalcontract,wherebythewifemakesovertherightshehasbythelawofNatureinfavourofthehusband,bywhichheacquiresthepropertyofallherposterity。But,then,theobligationismutual;andwherethecontractisbrokenononesideitceasestobindontheother。

Wherethereisarighttheremustbeapowertomaintainitandtopunishtheoffendingparty。ThispowerIaffirmtobethatoriginalright,orratherthatindispensabledutylodgedinallwivesinthecasesabovementioned。Nowifeisboundbyanylawtowhichherselfhasnotconsented。Alleconomicalgovernmentislodgedoriginallyinthehusbandandwife,theexecutivepartbeinginthehusband;

bothhavetheirprivilegessecuredtothembylawandreason;butwillanymaninferfromthehusbandbeinginvestedwiththeexecutivepower,thatthewifeisdeprivedofhershare,andthatshehasnoremedyleftbutprecesandlacrymae,oranappealtoasupremecourtofjudicature?Nolessfrivolousarethearrangementsthataredrawnfromthegeneralappellationsandtermsofhusbandandwife。Ahusbanddenotesseveraldifferentsortsofmagistracy,accordingtotheusagesandcustomsofdifferentclimatesandcountries。Insomeeasternnationsitsignifiesatyrant,withtheabsolutepoweroflifeanddeath。InTurkeyitdenotesanarbitrarygovernor,withpowerofperpetualimprisonment;inItalyitgivesthehusbandthepowerofpoisonandpadlocks;inthecountriesofEngland,France,andHolland,ithasaquitedifferentmeaning,implyingafreeandequalgovernment,securingtothewifeincertaincasesthelibertyofchange,andthepropertyofpin-moneyandseparatemaintenance。Sothattheargumentsdrawnfromthetermsofhusbandandwifearefallacious,andbynomeansfittosupportatyrannicaldoctrine,asthatofabsoluteunlimitedchastityandconjugalfidelity。

\"Thegeneralexhortationstofidelityinwivesaremeantonlyforrulesinordinarycases,buttheynaturallysupposethreeconditionsofability,justice,andfidelityinthehusband;suchanunlimited,unconditionedfidelityinthewifecouldneverbesupposedbyreasonablemen。ItseemsareflectionupontheChurchtochargeherwithdoctrinesthatcountenanceoppression。

\"ThisdoctrineoftheoriginalrightofchangeiscongruoustothelawofNature,whichissuperiortoallhumanlaws,andforthatI

dareappealtoallwives:ItismuchtothehonourofourEnglishwivesthattheyhavenevergivenupthatfundamentalpoint,andthatthoughinformeragestheyweremuffledupindarknessandsuperstition,yetthatnotionseemedengravenontheirminds,andtheimpressionsostrongthatnothingcouldimpairit。

\"Toasserttheillegalityofchange,uponanypretencewhatsoever,weretocastodiouscoloursuponthemarriedstate,toblackenthenecessarymeansofperpetuatingfamilies——suchlawscanneverbesupposedtohavebeendesignedtodefeattheveryendofmatrimony。

Icallthemnecessarymeans,forinmanycaseswhatothermeansareleft?Suchadoctrinewoundsthehonouroffamilies,unsettlesthetitlestokingdoms,honours,andestates;foriftheactionsfromwhichsuchsettlementsspringwereillegal,allthatisbuiltuponthemmustbesotoo;butthelastisabsurd,thereforethefirstmustbesolikewise。WhatisthecausethatEuropegroansatpresentundertheheavyloadofacruelandexpensivewar,butthetyrannicalcustomofacertainnation,andthescrupulousnicetyofasillyqueeninnotexercisingthisindispensableduty,wherebythekingdommighthavehadanheir,andacontrovertedsuccessionmighthavebeenavoided。Thesearetheeffectsofthenarrowmaximsofyourclergy,’Thatonemustnotdoevilthatgoodmaycomeofit。’

\"Theassertorsofthisindefeasibleright,andjusdivinumofmatrimony,doallintheirheartsfavourthepretenderstomarriedwomen;forifthetruelegalfoundationofthemarriedstatebeoncesapped,andinsteadthereoftyrannicalmaximsintroduced,whatmustfollowbutelopementsinsteadofsecretandpeaceablechange?

\"Fromallthathasbeensaid,onemayclearlyperceivetheabsurdityofthedoctrineofthisseditious,discontented,hot-headed,ungifted,unedifyingpreacher,asserting’thatthegrandsecurityofthematrimonialstate,andthepillaruponwhichitstands,isfoundeduponthewife’sbeliefofanabsoluteunconditionalfidelitytothehusband;’bywhichboldassertionhestrikesattheroot,digsthefoundation,andremovesthebasisuponwhichthehappinessofamarriedstateisbuilt。Asforhispersonalreflections,I

wouldgladlyknowwhoarethose’wantonwives’hespeaksof?whoarethoseladiesofhighstationsthathesoboldlytraducesinhissermon?Itisprettyplainwhotheseaspersionsareaimedat,forwhichhedeservesthepillory,orsomethingworse。

\"Inconfirmationofthisdoctrineoftheindispensabledutyofchange,Icouldbringtheexampleofthewisestwivesinallages,whobythesemeanshavepreservedtheirhusband’sfamiliesfromruinandoblivionbywantofposterity;butwhathasbeensaidisasufficientgroundforpunishingthispragmaticalparson。\"

CHAPTERXIV。ThetwogreatPartiesofWives,theDevotosandtheHitts。*

*Thosewhowereforandagainstthedoctrineofnonresistance。

Thedoctrineofunlimitedfidelityinwiveswasuniversallyespousedbyallhusbands,whowentaboutthecountryandmadethewivessignpaperssignifyingtheirutterdetestationandabhorrenceofMrs。

Bull’swickeddoctrineoftheindispensabledutyofchange。Someyielded,othersrefusedtopartwiththeirnativeliberty,whichgaverisetotwogreatpartiesamongstthewives,theDevotosandtheHitts。Though,itmustbeowned,thedistinctionwasmorenominalthanreal;fortheDevotoswouldabusefreedomssometimes,andthosewhoweredistinguishedbythenameofHittswereoftenveryhonest。Atthesametimetherewasaningenioustreatisecameoutwiththetitleof\"GoodAdvicetoHusbands,\"inwhichtheyarecounsellednottotrusttoomuchtotheirwivesowningthedoctrineofunlimitedconjugalfidelity,andsotoneglectaduewatchfulnessoverthemannersoftheirwives;thatthegreatestsecuritytohusbandswasagoodusageoftheirwivesandkeepingthemfromtemptation,manyhusbandshavingbeensufferersbytheirtrustingtoomuchtogeneralprofessions,aswasexemplifiedinthecaseofafoolishandnegligenthusband,who,trustingtotheefficacyofthisprinciple,wasundonebyhiswife’selopementfromhim。

CHAPTERXV。AnAccountoftheConferencebetweenMrs。BullandDonDiego。*

*ATorynoblemanwho,byhisinfluenceupontheHouseofCommons,endeavouredtostoptheTreaty。

Thelawyers,astheirlastefforttoputoffthecomposition,sentDonDiegotoJohn。DonDiegowasaveryworthygentleman,afriendtoJohn,hismother,andpresentwife,and,therefore,supposedtohavesomeinfluenceoverher。HehadbeenillusedhimselfbyJohn’slawyers,butbecauseofsomeanimositytoSirRogerwasagainstthecomposition。TheconferencebetweenhimandMrs。Bullwaswordforwordasfollows:——

DONDIEGO。——Isitpossible,cousinBull,thatyoucanforgetthehonourablemaximsofthefamilyyouarecomeof,andbreakyourwordwiththreeofthehonestest,best-meaningpersonsintheworld——

EsquiresSouth,Frog,andHocus——thathavesacrificedtheirintereststoyours?Itisbasetotakeadvantageoftheirsimplicityandcredulity,andleavetheminthelurchatlast。

MRS。BULL——Iamsuretheyhaveleftmyfamilyinabadcondition,wehavehardlymoneytogotomarket;andnobodywilltakeourwordsforsixpence。AveryfinesparkthisEsquireSouth!Myhusbandtookhimin,adirtyboy。Itwasthebusinessofhalftheservantstoattendhim。*Theroguedidbawlandmakesuchanoise:

sometimeshefellinthefireandburnthisface,sometimesbrokehisshinsclamberingoverthebenches,andalwayscameinsodirty,asifhehadbeendraggedthroughthekennelataboarding-school。

Helosthismoneyatchuck-farthing,shuffle-cap,andall-fours;

soldhisbooks,pawnedhislinen,whichwewerealwaysforcedtoredeem。Thenthewholegenerationofhimaresoinlovewithbagpipesandpuppet-shows!Iwishyouknewwhatmyhusbandhaspaidatthepastry-cook’sandconfectioner’sforNaplesbiscuits,tarts,custards,andsweetmeats。Allthiswhilemyhusbandconsideredhimasagentlemanofagoodfamilythathadfallenintodecay,gavehimgoodeducation,andhassettledhiminagoodcreditablewayofliving——havingprocuredhim,byhisinterest,oneofthebestplacesofthecountry。Andwhatreturn,thinkyou,doesthisfinegentlemanmakeus?hewillhardlygivemeormyhusbandagoodword,oracivilexpression。InsteadofSirandMadam(which,thoughI

sayit,isourdue),hecallsus\"goody\"and\"gaffer\"such-a-one;

sayshedidusagreatdealofhonourtoboardwithus;huffsanddingsatsucharate,becausewewillnotspendthelittlewehavelefttogethimthetitleandestateofLordStrutt;andthenforsooth,weshallhavethehonourtobehiswoollen-drapers。**

Besides,EsquireSouthwillbeEsquireSouthstill;fickle,proud,andungrateful。Ifhebehaveshimselfsowhenhedependsonusforhisdailybread,cananymansaywhathewilldowhenheisgotabovetheworld?

*Somethingrelatingtothemannersofagreatprince,superstition,loveofoperas,shows,etc。

**Somethingrelatingtoformsandtitles。

D。DIEGO。——Andwouldyoulosethehonourofsonobleandgenerousanundertaking?Wouldyouratheracceptthisscandalouscomposition,andtrustthatoldrogue,LewisBaboon?

MRS。BULL。——Lookyou,FriendDiego,ifwelawitontillLewisturnshonest,IamafraidourcreditwillrunlowatBlackwellHall。I

wisheverymanhadhisown;butIstillsay,thatLordStrutt’smoneyshinesasbrightandchinksaswellasEsquireSouth’s。I

don’tknowanyotherholdthatwetradesmenhaveofthesegreatfolksbuttheirinterest:buydearandsellcheap,andIwarrantyeyouwillkeepyourcustomer。Theworstis,thatLordStrutt’sservantshavegotsuchahauntaboutthatoldrogue’sshop,thatitwillcostusmanyafirkinofstrongbeertobringthembackagain;

andthelongertheyareinabadroad,theharderitwillbetogetthemoutofit。

D。DIEGO。——ButpoorFrog,whathashedone!Onmyconscience,iftherebeanhonest,sinceremanintheworld,itisthatFrog。

MRS。BULL。——IthinkIneednottellyouhowmuchFroghasbeenobligedtoourfamilyfromhischildhood;hecarrieshisheadhighnow,buthehadneverbeenthemanheiswithoutourhelp。*Eversincethecommencementofthislawsuit,ithasbeenthebusinessofHocus,insharingoutexpenses,topleadforFrog。\"PoorFrog,\"

sayshe,\"isinhardcircumstances,hehasanumerousfamily,andlivesfromhandtomouth;hischildrendon’teatabitofgoodvictualsfromoneyear’sendtotheother,butliveuponsaltherring,sourcurd,andborecole。Hedoeshisutmost,poorfellow,tokeepthingsevenintheworld,andhasexertedhimselfbeyondhisabilityinthislawsuit;buthereallyhasnotwherewithaltogoon。

Whatsignifiesthishundredpounds?placeituponyoursideoftheaccount;itisagreatdealtopoorFrog,andatrifletoyou。\"

ThishasbeenHocus’sconstantlanguage,andIamsurehehashadobligationsenoughtoustohaveactedanotherpart。

*ComplaintsoftheHouseofCommonsoftheunequalburdenofthewar。

D。DIEGO。——NodoubtHocusmeantallthisforthebest,butheisatender-hearted,charitableman;Frogisindeedinhardcircumstances。

MRS。BULL——Hardcircumstances!Iswearthisisprovokingtothelastdegree。Allthetimeofthelawsuit,asfastasIhavemortgaged,Froghaspurchased:fromaplaintradesman,withashop,warehouse,andacountryhutwithadirtyfish-pondattheendofit,heisnowgrownaveryrichcountrygentleman,withanoblelandedestate,noblepalaces,manors,parks,gardens,andfarms,finerthananywewereevermasterof。*Isitnotstrange,whenmyhusbanddisbursedgreatsumseveryterm,Frogshouldbepurchasingsomenewfarmormanor?sothatifthislawsuitlasts,hewillbefartherichestmaninhiscountry。Whatisworsethanallthis,hestealsawaymycustomerseveryday;twelveoftherichestandthebesthaveleftmyshopbyhispersuasion,andwhom,tomycertainknowledge,hehasunderbondsnevertoreturnagain:judgeyouifthisbeneighbourlydealing。

*TheDutchacquisitionsinFlanders。

D。DIEGO——Frogisindeedprettycloseinhisdealings,butveryhonest:youaresotouchy,andtakethingssohotly,Iamsuretheremustbesomemistakeinthis。

MRS。BULL——Aplaguyoneindeed!Youknow,andhaveoftentoldmeofit,howHocusandthoserogueskeptmyhusband,JohnBull,drunkforfiveyearstogetherwithpunchandstrongwaters:Iamsureheneverwentonenightsobertobed,tilltheygothimtosignthestrangestdeedthateveryousawinyourlife。ThemethodstheytooktomanagehimI’lltellyouanothertime;atpresentI’llreadonlythewriting。

ArticlesofAgreementbetwixtJOHNBULL,Clothier,andNICHOLAS

FROG,Linen-draper。*

*ThesentimentsoftheHouseofCommons,andtheirrepresentationoftheBarrierTreaty。

I。Thatformaintainingtheancientgoodcorrespondenceandfriendshipbetweenthesaidparties,I,NicholasFrog,dosolemnlyengageandpromisetokeeppeaceinJohnBull’sfamily;thatneitherhiswife,children,norservants,givehimanytrouble,disturbance,ormolestationwhatsoever,buttoobligethemalltodotheirdutyquietlyintheirrespectivestations。AndwhereasthesaidJohnBull,fromtheassuredconfidencethathehasinmyfriendship,hasappointedmeexecutorofhislastwillandtestament,andguardiantohischildren,Idoundertakeforme,myheirsandassigns,toseethesamedulyexecutedandperformed,andthatitshallbeunalterableinallitspartsbyJohnBull,oranybodyelse:forthatpurposeitshallbelawfulandallowableformetoenterhishouseatanyhourofthedayornight,tobreakopenbars,bolts,anddoors,chestsofdrawers,andstrongboxes,inordertosecurethepeaceofmyfriendJohnBull’sfamily,andtoseehiswilldulyexecuted。

II。InconsiderationofwhichkindneighbourlyofficeofNicholasFrog,inthathehasbeenpleasedtoacceptoftheaforesaidtrust,I,JohnBull,havingdulyconsideredthatmyfriend,NicholasFrog,atthistimelivesinamarshysoilandunwholesomeair,infestedwithfogsanddamps,destructiveofthehealthofhimself,wife,andchildren,dobindandobligeme,myheirsandassigns,topurchaseforthesaidNicholasFrog,withthebestandreadiestofmycash,bonds,mortgages,goodsandchattels,alandedestate,withparks,gardens,palaces,rivers,fields,andoutlets,consistingofaslargeextentasthesaidNicholasFrogshallthinkfit。AndwhereasthesaidNicholasFrogisatpresenthemmedintooclosebythegroundsofLewisBaboon,masterofthescienceofdefence,I,thesaidJohnBull,doobligemyselfwiththereadiestofmycash,topurchaseandenclosethesaidgrounds,forasmanyfieldsandacresasthesaidNicholasshallthinkfit;totheintentthatthesaidNicholasmayhavefreeegressandregress,withoutletormolestation,suitabletothedemandsofhimselfandfamily。

III。Furthermore,thesaidJohnBullobligeshimselftomakethecountryneighboursofNicholasFrogallotacertainpartofyearlyrents,topayfortherepairsofthesaidlandedestate,totheintentthathisgoodfriend,NicholasFrog,maybeeasedofallcharges。

IV。AndwhereasthesaidNicholasFrogdidcontractwiththedeceasedLordStruttaboutcertainliberties,privileges,andimmunities,formerlyinthepossessionofthesaidJohnBull,I,thesaidJohnBull,dofreelybythesepresents,renounce,quit,andmakeovertothesaidNicholas,theliberties,privileges,andimmunitiescontractedfor,inasfullamanner,asiftheyneverhadbelongedtome。

V。ThesaidJohnBullobligeshimself,hisheirsandassigns,nottoselloneragofbroadorcoarseclothtoanygentlemanwithintheneighbourhoodofthesaidNicholas,exceptinsuchquantitiesandsuchratesasthesaidNicholasshallthinkfit。

Signedandsealed,JOHNBULL,NIC。FROG。

ThereadingofthispaperputMrs。Bullinsuchapassionthatshefelldownrightintoafit,andtheywereforcedtogiveheragoodquantityofthespiritofhartshornbeforesherecovered。

D。DIEGO——Whyinsuchapassion,cousin?consideringyourcircumstancesatthattime,Idon’tthinkthissuchanunreasonablecontract。YouseeFrog,forallthis,isreligiouslytruetohisbargain;hescornstohearkentoanycompositionwithoutyourprivacy。

MRS。BULL。——Youknowthecontrary。*Readthatletter。