第2章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The History of John Bull",免费读到尾

  [Readsthesuperscription。]ForLewisBaboon,MasteroftheNobleScienceofDefence。

  \"SIR。——IunderstandthatyouareatthistimetreatingwithmyfriendJohnBull,aboutrestoringtheLordStrutt’scustom,andbesidesallowinghimcertainprivilegesofparksandfish-ponds;I

  wonderhowyouthatareamanthatknowstheworld,cantalkwiththatsimplefellow。Hehasbeenmybubblethesetwentyyears,andtomycertainknowledge,understandsnomoreofhisownaffairsthanachildinswaddlingclothes。Iknowhehasgotasortofapragmaticalsillyjadeofawife,thatpretendstotakehimoutofmyhands;butyouandshebothwillfindyourselvesmistaken;I’llfindthosethatshallmanageher;andforhim,hedaresaswellbehangedasmakeonestepinhisaffairswithoutmyconsent。Ifyouwillgivemewhatyoupromisedhim,Iwillmakeallthingseasy,andstopthedeedsofejectmentagainstLordStrutt:ifyouwillnot,takewhatfollows。Ishallhaveagoodactionagainstyou,forpretendingtorobmeofmybubble。Takethiswarningfrom\"Yourlovingfriend,\"NIC。FROG。\"

  *SecretnegotiationsoftheDutchatthattime。

  Iamtold,cousinDiego,youareoneofthosethathaveundertakentomanageme,andthatyouhavesaidyouwillcarryagreenbagyourself,ratherthanweshallmakeanendofourlawsuit:I’llteachthemandyoutootomanage。

  D。DIEGO。——ForGod’ssake,madam,whysocholeric?Isaythisletterissomeforgery;itneverenteredintotheheadofthathonestman,Nic。Frog,todoanysuchthing。

  MRS。BULL。——Ican’tabideyou。YouhavebeenrailingthesetwentyyearsatSquireSouth,Frog,andHocus,callingthemroguesandpickpockets,andnowtheyareturnedthehonestestfellowsintheworld。Whatisthemeaningofallthis?

  D。DIEGO。——PraytellmehowyoucametoemploythisSirRogerinyouraffairs,andnotthinkofyouroldfriendDiego?

  MRS。BULL。——So,so,thereitpinches。Totellyoutruth,IhaveemployedSirRogerinseveralweightyaffairs,andhavefoundhimtrustyandhonest,andthepoormanalwaysscornedtotakeafarthingofme。Ihaveabundancethatprofessgreatzeal,buttheyaredamnablegreedyofthepence。MyhusbandandIarenowinsuchcircumstances,thatwemustbeserveduponcheapertermsthanwehavebeen。

  D。DIEGO。——Well,cousin,IfindIcandonogoodwithyou;IamsorrythatyouwillruinyourselfbytrustingthisSirRoger。

  CHAPTERXVI。HowtheguardiansofthedeceasedMrs。Bull’sthreedaughterscametoJohn,andwhatadvicetheygavehim;whereinisbrieflytreatedthecharactersofthethreedaughters。AlsoJohnBull’sanswertothethreeguardians。*

  *Concernsoftheparty,andspeechesforcarryingonthewar,etc。

  SentimentsoftheToriesandHouseofCommonsagainstcontinuingthewarforsettingKingCharlesuponthethroneofSpain。

  ItoldyouinaformerchapterthatMrs。Bull,beforeshedepartedthislife,hadblessedJohnwiththreedaughters。Ineednothererepeattheirnames,neitherwouldIwillinglyuseanyscandalousreflectionsuponyoungladies,whosereputationsoughttobeverytenderlyhandled;butthecharactersoftheseweresowellknownintheneighbourhood,thatitisdoingthemnoinjurytomakeashortdescriptionofthem。

  Theeldest*wasatermagant,imperious,prodigal,lewd,profligatewench,aseverbreathed;sheusedtorantipoleaboutthehouse,pinchthechildren,kicktheservants,andtorturethecatsandthedogs;shewouldrobherfather’sstrongbox,formoneytogivetheyoungfellowsthatshewasfondof。Shehadanobleair,andsomethinggreatinhermien,butsuchanoisomeinfectiousbreath,asthrewalltheservantsthatdressedherintoconsumptions;ifshesmelttothefreshestnosegay,itwouldshrivelandwitherasithadbeenblighted:sheusedtocomehomeinhercups,andbreakthechina,andthelooking-glasses;andwasofsuchanirregulartemper,andsoentirelygivenuptoherpassion,thatyoumightargueaswellwiththeNorthwind,aswithherladyship:soexpensive,thattheincomeofthreedukedomswasnotenoughtosupplyherextravagance。Hocuslovedherbest,believinghertobehisown,gotuponthebodyofMrs。Bull。

  *Polemia。

  Theseconddaughter,*bornayearafterhersister,wasapeevish,froward,ill-conditionedcreatureaseverwas,uglyasthedevil,lean,haggard,pale,withsaucereyes,asharpnose,andhunchedbacked;butactive,sprightly,anddiligentaboutheraffairs。Herillcomplexionwasoccasionedbyherbaddiet,whichwascoffee**

  morning,noon,andnight。Sheneverrestedquietlya-bed,butusedtodisturbthewholefamilywithshriekingoutinherdreams,andplaguethemnextdaywithinterpretingthem,forshetookthemallforgospel;shewouldcryout\"Murder!\"anddisturbthewholeneighbourhood;andwhenJohncamerunningdownstairstoinquirewhatthematterwas,nothingforsooth,onlyhermaidhadstuckapinwronginhergown;sheturnedawayoneservantforputtingtoomuchoilinhersalad,andanotherforputtingtoolittlesaltinherwater-gruel;butsuchasbyflatteryhadprocuredheresteem,shewouldindulgeinthegreatestcrime。Herfatherhadtwocoachmen;

  whenonewasinthecoach-box,ifthecoachswungbuttheleasttooneside,sheusedtoshrieksoloud,thatallthestreetconcludedshewasoverturned;butthoughtheotherwaseternallydrunk,andhadoverturnedthewholefamily,shewasveryangrywithherfatherforturninghimaway。Thensheusedtocarrytalesandstoriesfromonetoanother,tillshehadsetthewholeneighbourhoodtogetherbytheears;andthiswastheonlydiversionshetookpleasurein。Sheneverwentabroad,butshebroughthomesuchabundleofmonstrouslies,aswouldhaveamazedanymortal,butsuchasknowher:ofawhalethathadswallowedafleetofships;ofthelionsbeingletoutoftheTower,todestroytheProtestantreligion;ofthePope’sbeingseeninabrandy-shopatWapping;andaprodigiousstrongmanthatwasgoingtoshovedownthecupolaofSt。Paul’s;ofthreemillionsoffivepoundpiecesthatSquireSouthhadfoundunderanoldwall;ofblazingstars,flyingdragons,andabundanceofsuchstuff。Alltheservantsinthefamilymadehighcourttoher,forshedomineeredthere,andturnedoutandinwhomshepleased;onlytherewasanoldgrudgebetweenherandSirRoger,whomshemortallyhatedandusedtohirefellowstosquirtkennelwateruponhimashepassedalongthestreets;sothathewasforcedconstantlytowearasurtoutofoiledcloth,bywhichmeanshecamehomeprettyclean,exceptwherethesurtoutwasalittlescanty。

  *Discordia。

  **Coffee-housetattle。

  Asforthethird*shewasathiefandacommonmercenary。Shehadnorespectofpersons:aprinceoraporterwasallone,accordingastheypaid;yea,shewouldleavethefinestgentlemanintheworldtogotoanuglyfellowforsixpencemore。Inthepracticeofherprofessionshehadamassedvastmagazinesofallsortsofthings:

  shehadabovefivehundredsuitsoffineclothes,andyetwentabroadlikeacinderwench。Sherobbedandstarvedalltheservants,sothatnobodycouldlivenearher。

  *Usuria。

  SomuchforJohn’sthreedaughters,whichyouwillsaywereraritiestobefondof。YetNaturewillshewitself。Nobodycouldblametheirrelationsfortakingcareofthem,andthereforeitwasthatHocus,withtwootheroftheguardians,thoughtittheirdutytotakecareoftheinterestofthethreegirlsandgiveJohntheirbestadvicebeforehecompoundedthelawsuit。

  HOCUS。——Whatmakesyousoshyoflate,mygoodfriend?There’snobodylovesyoubetterthanI,norhastakenmorepainsinyouraffairs。AsIhopetobesavedIwoulddoanythingtoserveyou;I

  wouldcrawluponallfourstoserveyou;Ihavespentmyhealthandpaternalestateinyourservice。Ihave,indeed,asmallpittanceleft,withwhichImightretire,andwithasgoodaconscienceasanyman;butthethoughtsofthisdisgracefulcompositionsotouchesmetothequickthatIcannotsleep。AfterIhadbroughtthecausetothelaststroke,thatoneverdictmorehadquiteruinedoldLewisandLordStrutt,andputyouinthequietpossessionofeverything——

  thentocompound!Icannotbearit。Thiscausewasmyfavourite;I

  hadsetmyheartuponit;itislikeanonlychild;Icannotendureitshouldmiscarry。ForGod’ssakeconsideronlytowhatadismalconditionoldLewisisbrought。Heisatanendofallhiscash;

  hisattorneyshavehardlyonetrickleft;theyareatanendofalltheirchicane;besides,hehasbothhislawandhisdailybreadnowupontrust。Holdoutonlyonetermlonger,andI’llwarrantyoubeforethenextweshallhavehimintheFleet。I’llbringhimtothepillory;hisearsshallpayforhisperjuries。FortheloveofGoddon’tcompound。LetmebedamnedifyouhaveafriendintheworldthatlovesyoubetterthanI。ThereisnobodycansayIamcovetousorthatIhaveanyintereststopursuebutyours。

  SECONDGUARDIAN。——ThereisnothingsoplainasthatthisLewishasadesigntoruinallhisneighbouringtradesmen,andatthistimehehassuchaprodigiousincomebyhistradeofallkinds,that,ifthereisnotsomestopputtohisexorbitantriches,hewillmonopoliseeverything;nobodywillbeabletosellayardofdraperyormercerywarebuthimself。Ithenholditadvisablethatyoucontinuethelawsuitandbursthimatonce。Myconcernforthethreepoormotherlesschildrenobligesmetogiveyouthisadvice;

  fortheirestates,poorgirls,dependuponthesuccessofthiscause。

  THIRDGUARDIAN。——IownthisWritofEjectmenthascostdear,butthenconsideritisajewelwellworththepurchasingatthepriceofallyouhave。NonebutMr。Bull’sdeclaredenemiescansayhehasanyothersecurityforhisclothingtradebuttheejectmentofLordStrutt。Theonlyquestion,then,thatremainstobedecidedis:whoshallstandtheexpensesofthesuit?Towhichtheanswerisasplain:whobuthethatistohavetheadvantageofthesentence?WhenEsquireSouthhasgotpossessionofhistitleandhonourisnotJohnBulltobehisclothier?Who,then,butJohnoughttoputinpossession?Askbutanyindifferentgentleman,Whooughttobearhischargesatlaw?andhewillreadilyanswer,Histradesmen。Idothereforeaffirm,andIwillgotodeathwithit,that,beinghisclothier,yououghttoputhiminquietpossessionofhisestate,andwiththesamegenerousspirityouhavebegunitcompletethegoodwork。Ifyoupersistinthebadmeasuresyouarenowin,whatmustbecomeofthethreepoororphans!Myheartbleedsforthepoorgirls。

  JOHNBULL。——Youareallveryeloquentpersons,butgivemeleavetotellyouyouexpressagreatdealmoreconcernforthethreegirlsthanforme。Ithinkmyinterestoughttobeconsideredinthefirstplace。Asforyou,Hocus,Ican’tbutsayyouhavemanagedmylawsuitwithgreataddressandmuchtomyhonour,and,thoughIsayit,youhavebeenwellpaidforit。WhymusttheburdenbetakenoffFrog’sbackandlaiduponmyshoulders?Hecandriveabouthisownparksandfieldsinhisgiltchariot,whenIhavebeenforcedtomortgagemyestate;hisnotewillgofartherthanmybond。Isitnotmatteroffact,thatfromtherichesttradesmaninallthecountry,Iamreducedtobegandborrowfromscrivenersandusurersthatsucktheheart,blood,andgutsoutofme,andwhatisallthisfor!DidyoulikeFrog’scountenancebetterthanmine?WasnotI

  youroldfriendandrelation?HaveInotpresentedyounobly?HaveInotcladyourwholefamily?Haveyounothadahundredyardsatatimeofthefinestclothinmyshop?Whymusttherestofthetradesmenbenotonlyindemnifiedfromcharges,butforbidtogoonwiththeirownbusiness,andwhatismoretheirconcernthanmine?

  AstoholdingoutthistermIappealtoyourownconscience,hasnotthatbeenyourconstantdiscoursethesesixyears,\"OnetermmoreandoldLewisgoestopot?\"Ifthouartsofondofmycausebegenerousforonce,andlendmeabraceofthousands。Ah,Hocus!

  Hocus!Iknowthee:notasoustosavemefromjail,Itrow。Lookye,gentlemen,Ihavelivedwithcreditintheworld,anditgrievesmyheartnevertostiroutofmydoorsbuttobepulledbythesleevebysomerascallydunorother。\"Sir,remembermybill。

  There’sasmallconcernofathousandpounds;Ihopeyouthinkon’t,sir。\"Andtohavetheseusurerstransactmydebtsatcoffee-housesandale-houses,asifIweregoingtobreakupshop。Lord!thatevertherich,thegenerousJohnBull,clothier,theenvyofallhisneighbours,shouldbebroughttocompoundhisdebtsforfiveshillingsinthepound,andtohavehisnameinanadvertisementforastatuteofbankrupt。Thethoughtofitmakesmemad。IhavereadsomewhereintheApocrypha,\"Thatoneshouldnotconsultwithawomantouchingherofwhomsheisjealous;norwithamerchantconcerningexchange;norwithabuyer,ofselling;norwithanunmercifulman,ofkindness,etc。\"Icouldhaveaddedonethingmore:norwithanattorneyaboutcompoundingalawsuit。TheejectmentofLordStruttwillneverdo。Theevidenceiscrimp:thewitnessesswearbackwardsandforwards,andcontradictthemselves;

  andhistenantsstickbyhim。OnetellsmethatImustcarryonmysuit,becauseLewisispoor;another,becauseheisstilltoorich:

  whomshallIbelieve?Iamsureofonething,thatapennyinthepurseisthebestfriendJohncanhaveatlast,andwhocansaythatthiswillbethelastsuitIshallbeengagedin?Besides,ifthisejectmentwerepracticableisitreasonablethat,whenEsquireSouthislosinghismoneytosharpersandpickpockets,goingaboutthecountrywithfiddlersandbuffoons,andsquanderinghisincomewithhawksanddogs,Ishouldlayoutthefruitsofmyhonestindustryinalawsuitforhim,onlyuponthehopesofbeinghisclothier?AndwhenthecauseisoverIshallnothavethebenefitofmyprojectforwantofmoneytogotomarket。Lookye,gentlemen,JohnBullisbutaplainman,butJohnBullknowswhenheisillused。Iknowtheinfirmityofourfamily:weareapttoplaytheboon-companionandthrowawayourmoneyinourcups。Butitwasanunfairthinginyou,gentlemen,totakeadvantageofmyweakness,tokeepaparcelofroaringbulliesaboutmedayandnight,withhuzzasandhuntinghorns,andringingthechangesonbutcher’scleavers;neverletmecool,andmakemesetmyhandtopaperswhenIcouldhardlyholdmypen。Therewillcomeadayofreckoningforallthatproceeding。

  Inthemeantime,gentlemen,Ibegyouwillletmeintomyaffairsalittle,andthatyouwouldnotgrudgemethesmallremainderofaverygreatestate。

  CHAPTERXVII。EsquireSouth’sMessageandLettertoMrs。Bull。*

  *ComplaintsofthedeficienciesoftheHouseofAustria,PrinceEugene’sjourneyandmessage。

  TheargumentsusedbyHocusandtherestoftheguardianshadhithertoprovedinsufficient。JohnandhiswifecouldnotbepersuadedtobeartheexpenseofEsquireSouth’slawsuit。Theythoughtitreasonablethat,sincehewastohavethehonourandadvantage,heshouldbearthegreatestshareofthecharges,andretrenchwhathelosttosharpersandspentuponcountrydancesandpuppetplaystoapplyittothatuse。Thiswasnotverygratefultotheesquire;therefore,asthelastexperiment,hewasresolvedtosendSigniorBenenato,masterofhisfoxhounds,toMrs。Bulltotrywhatgoodhecoulddowithher。ThisSigniorBenenatohadallthequalitiesofafinegentlemanthatweresettocharmalady’sheart,andifanypersonintheworldcouldhavepersuadedheritwashe。

  Butsuchwasherunshakenfidelitytoherhusband,andtheconstantpurposeofhermindtopursuehisinterest,thatthemostrefinedartsofgallantrythatwerepractisedcouldnotseduceherheart。

  Thenecklaces,diamondcrosses,andrichbraceletsthatwereofferedsherejectedwiththeutmostscornanddisdain。Themusicandserenadesthatweregivenhersoundedmoreungratefullyinherearsthanthenoiseofascreechowl。However,shereceivedEsquireSouth’sletterbythehandsofSigniorBenenatowiththatrespectwhichbecamehisquality。Thecopyoftheletterisasfollows,inwhichyouwillobservehechangesalittlehisusualstyle:——

  MADAM,——TheWritofEjectmentagainstPhilipBaboon(pretendedLordStrutt)isjustreadytopass。Therewantbutafewnecessaryformsandaverdictortwomoretoputmeinthequietpossessionofmyhonourandestate。Iquestionnotbutthat,accordingtoyourwontedgenerosityandgoodness,youwillgiveitthefinishingstroke:anhonourthatIwouldgrudgeanybodybutyourself。Inordertoeaseyouofsomepartofthecharges,Ipromisetofurnishpen,ink,andpaper,providedyoupayforthestamps。Besides,I

  haveorderedmystewardstopayoutofthereadiestandbestofmyrentsfivepoundstenshillingsayeartillmysuitisfinished。I

  wishyouhealthandhappiness,beingwithduerespect,Madam,yourassuredfriend,SOUTH。

  WhatanswerMrs。Bullreturnedtothisletteryoushallknowinmysecondpart,onlytheywereataprettygooddistanceintheirproposals;forasEsquireSouthonlyofferedtobeatthechargesofpen,ink,andpaper,Mrs。Bullrefusedanymorethantolendherbarge*tocarryhiscounseltoWestminsterHall。

  *SendingtheEnglishFleettoconvoytheforcestoBarcelona。

  PARTII。

  THEPUBLISHER’SPREFACE。

  TheworldismuchindebtedtothefamousSirHumphryPolesworthforhisingeniousandimpartialaccountofJohnBull’slawsuit。Yetthereisjustcauseofcomplaintagainsthim,inthatherelatesitonlybyparcels,andwon’tgiveusthewholework。Thisforcesme,whoamonlythepublisher,tobespeaktheassistanceofhisfriendsandacquaintancetoengagehimtolayasidethatstingeyhumourandgratifythecuriosityofthepublicatonce。Hepleadsinexcusethattheyareonlyprivatememoirs,wroteforhisownuseinaloosestyletoserveasahelptohisordinaryconversation。I

  representedtohimthegoodreceptionthefirstparthadmetwith;

  that,thoughcalculatedonlyforthemeridianofGrubStreet,itwasyettakennoticeofbythebettersort;thattheworldwasnowsufficientlyacquaintedwithJohnBull,andinteresteditselfinhisconcerns。Heansweredwithasmile,thathehad,indeed,sometriflingthingstoimpartthatconcernedJohnBull’srelationsanddomesticaffairs。Ifthesewouldsatisfymehegavemefreeleavetomakeuseofthem,becausetheywouldservetomakethehistoryofthelawsuitmoreintelligible。WhenIhadlookedoverthemanuscriptIfoundlikewisesomefurtheraccountofthecomposition,which,perhaps,maynotbeunacceptabletosuchashavereadtheformerpart。

  CHAPTERI。TheCharacterofJohnBull’sMother。*

  *TheChurchofEngland。

  Johnhadamotherwhomhelovedandhonouredextremely,adiscreet,grave,sober,good-conditioned,cleanlyoldgentlewomanaseverlived。Shewasnoneofyourcross-grained,termagant,scoldingjadesthatonehadasgoodbehangedasliveinthehousewith,suchasarealwayscensuringtheconductandtellingscandalousstoriesoftheirneighbours,extollingtheirowngoodqualitiesandundervaluingthoseofothers。Onthecontrary,shewasofameekspirit,and,asshewasstrictlyvirtuousherself,soshealwaysputthebestconstructionuponthewordsandactionsofherneighbours,exceptwheretheywereirreconcileabletotherulesofhonestyanddecency。Shewasneitheroneofyourpreciseprudes,noroneofyourfantasticaloldbellesthatdressthemselveslikegirlsoffifteen;assheneitherworearuff,forehead-cloth,norhigh-crownedhat,soshehadlaidasidefeathers,flowers,andcrimptribbonsinherhead-dress,furbelow-scarfs,andhooped-petticoats。Shescornedtopatchandpaint,yetshelovedtokeepherhandsandherfaceclean。Thoughsheworenoflauntinglacedruffles,shewouldnotkeepherselfinaconstantsweatwithgreasyflannel。Thoughherhairwasnotstuckwithjewels,shewasnotashamedofadiamondcross;shewasnot,likesomeladies,hungaboutwithtoysandtrinkets,tweezer-cases,pocket-glasses,andessence-bottles;sheusedonlyagoldwatchandanalmanacktomarkthehoursandtheholydays。

  Herfurniturewasneatandgenteel,wellfanciedwithabongout。

  Assheaffectednotthegrandeurofastatewithacanopy,shethoughttherewasnooffenceinanelbow-chair。Shehadlaidasideyourcarving,gilding,andJapanworkasbeingtooapttogatherdirt。Butshenevercouldbeprevailedupontopartwithplainwainscotandcleanhangings。Therearesomeladiesthataffecttosmellastinkineverything;theyarealwayshighlyperfumed,andcontinuallyburningfrankincenseintheirrooms。Shewasabovesuchaffectation,yetsheneverwouldlayasidetheuseofbroomsandscrubbing-brushes,andscruplednottolayherlineninfreshlavender。

  Shewasnolessgenteelinherbehaviour,well-bred,withoutaffectation;intheduemeanbetweenoneofyouraffected,curtseyingpiecesofformalityandyourrompsthathavenoregardtothecommonrulesofcivility。Therearesomeladiesthataffectamightyregardfortheirrelations。\"Wemustnoteatto-day,formyuncleTom,ormycousinBetty,diedthistimetenyears。Let’shaveaballto-night,itismyneighbourSuch-a-one’sbirthday。\"Shelookeduponallthisasgrimace,yetsheconstantlyobservedherhusband’sbirthday,herwedding-day,andsomefewmore。

  Thoughshewasatrulygoodwoman,andhadasinceremotherlyloveforhersonJohn,yettherewantednotthosewhoendeavouredtocreateamisunderstandingbetweenthem,andtheyhadsofarprevailedwithhimoncethatheturnedheroutofdoors,tohisgreatsorrow,ashefoundafterwards,forhisaffairswentonatsixesandsevens。

  Shewasnolessjudiciousintheturnofherconversationandchoiceofherstudies,inwhichshefarexceededallhersex。Yourrakesthathatethecompanyofallsober,gravegentlewomenwouldbearhers,andshewould,byherhandsomemannerofproceeding,soonerreclaimthansomethatweremoresourandreserved。Shewasazealouspreacherupofconjugalfidelityinwives,andbynomeansafriendtothenew-fangleddoctrineoftheindispensabledutyofchange。Thoughsheadvancedheropinionswithabecomingassurance,yetsheneverusheredtheminassomepositivecreatureswilldo,withdogmaticalassertions。\"Thisisinfallible;Icannotbemistaken;nonebutaroguecandenyit。\"Ithasbeenobservedthatsuchpeopleareoftenerinthewrongthananybody。

  Thoughshehadathousandgoodqualities,shewasnotwithoutherfaults,amongstwhichonemight,perhaps,reckontoogreatlenitytoherservants,towhomshealwaysgavegoodcounsel,butoftentoogentlecorrection。IthoughtIcouldnotsaylessofJohnBull’smother,becauseshebearsapartinthefollowingtransactions。

  CHAPTERII。TheCharacterofJohnBull’sSisterPeg,*withtheQuarrelsthathappenedbetweenMasterandMissintheirChildhood。

  *ThenationandChurchofScotland。

  Johnhadasister,apoorgirlthathadbeenstarvedatnurse。

  AnybodywouldhaveguessedMisstohavebeenbredupundertheinfluenceofacruelstepdame,andJohntobethefondlingofatendermother。Johnlookedruddyandplump,withapairofcheekslikeatrumpeter;Misslookedpaleandwan,asifshehadthegreensickness;andnowonder,forJohnwasthedarling:hehadallthegoodbits,wascrammedwithgoodpullet,chicken,pig,goose,andcapon;whileMisshadonlyalittleoatmealandwater,oradrycrustwithoutbutter。Johnhadhisgoldenpippins,peaches,andnectarines;poorMiss,acrab-apple,sloe,orablackberry。Masterlayinthebestapartment,withhisbedchambertowardsthesouthsun。Misslodgedinagarretexposedtothenorthwind,whichshrivelledhercountenance。However,thisusage,thoughitstuntedthegirlinhergrowth,gaveherahardyconstitution;shehadlifeandspiritinabundance,andknewwhenshewasill-used。NowandthenshewouldseizeuponJohn’scommons,snatchalegofapullet,orabitofgoodbeef,forwhichtheyweresuretogotofisticuffs。

  Masterwasindeedtoostrongforher,butMisswouldnotyieldintheleastpoint;butevenwhenMasterhadgotherdown,shewouldscratchandbitelikeatiger;whenhegaveheracuffontheear,shewouldprickhimwithherknitting-needle。Johnbroughtagreatchainonedaytotiehertothebedpost,forwhichaffrontMissaimedapenknifeathisheart。Inshort,thesequarrelsgrewuptorootedaversions;theygaveoneanothernicknames,thoughthegirlwasatightcleverwenchasanywas,andthroughherpalelooksyoumightdiscernspiritandvivacity,whichmadehernot,indeed,aperfectbeauty,butsomethingthatwasagreeable。Itwasbarbarousinparentsnottotakenoticeoftheseearlyquarrels,andmakethemlivebettertogether,suchdomesticfeudsprovingafterwardstheoccasionofmisfortunestothemboth。Peghad,indeed,someoddhumours*andcomicalantipathy,forwhichJohnwouldjeerher。

  \"WhatthinkyouofmysisterPeg,\"sayshe,\"thatfaintsatthesoundofanorgan,andyetwilldanceandfriskatthenoiseofabagpipe?\"\"What’sthattoyou?\"quothPeg。\"Everybody’stochoosetheirownmusic。\"ThenPeghadtakenafancynottosayherPaternoster,whichmadepeopleimaginestrangethingsofher。Ofthethreebrothersthathavemadesuchaclutterintheworld——LordPeter,Martin,andJack——Jackhadoflatebeenherinclinations。

  LordPetershedetested,nordidMartinstandmuchbetterinhergoodgraces;butJackhadfoundthewaytoherheart。Ihaveoftenadmiredwhatcharmsshediscoveredinthatawkwardbooby,tillI

  talkedwithapersonthatwasacquaintedwiththeintrigue,whogavemethefollowingaccountofit。

  *LoveofPresbytery。

  CHAPTERIII。Jack’sCharms,*ortheMethodbywhichhegainedPeg’sHeart。

  *CharacterofthePresbyterians。

  Inthefirstplace,Jackwasaveryyoungfellow,bymuchtheyoungestofthethreebrothers,andpeople,indeed,wonderedhowsuchayoungupstartjackanapesshouldgrowsopertandsaucy,andtakesomuchuponhim。

  Jackbraggedofgreaterabilitiesthanothermen。Hewaswellgifted,ashepretended:Ineednottellyouwhatsecretinfluencethathasupontheladies。

  Jackhadamostscandaloustongue,andpersuadedPegthatallmankind,besideshimself,wereplaguedbythatscarlet-facedwoman,SignioraBubonia。*\"Asforhisbrother,LordPeter,thetokenswereevidentonhim——blotchesandscabs。HisbrotherMartin,thoughhewasnotquitesobad,hadsomenocturnalpains,whichhisfriendspretendedwereonlyscorbutical;buthewassureitproceededfromaworsecause。\"Bysuchmaliciousinsinuationshehadpossessedtheladythathewastheonlymanintheworldofasound,pure,anduntaintedconstitution,thoughthereweresomethatstucknottosaythatSignioraBuboniaandJackrailedatoneanotheronlythebettertohideanintrigue,andthatJackhadbeenfoundwithSignioraunderhiscloak,carryingherhomeonadarkstormynight。

  *TheWomanofBabylon,orthePope。

  Jackwasaprodigiousogler;hewouldogleyoutheoutsideofhiseyeinward,andthewhiteupward。

  JackgavehimselfoutforamanofagreatestateintheFortunateIslands,ofwhichthesolepropertywasvestedinhisperson。Bythistrickhecheatedabundanceofpoorpeopleofsmallsums,pretendingtomakeoverplantationsinthesaidislands;butwhenthepoorwretchescametherewithJack’sgrant,theywerebeat,mocked,andturnedoutofdoors。

  ItoldyouthatPegwaswhimsical,andlovedanythingthatwasparticular。InthatwayJackwasherman,forheneitherthought,spoke,dressed,noractedlikeothermortals。Hewasforyourboldstrokes。Herailedatfops,thoughhewashimselfthemostaffectedintheworld;insteadofthecommonfashion,hewouldvisithismistressinamourning-cloak,band,shortcuffs,andapeakedbeard。

  Heinventedawayofcomingintoaroombackwards,whichhesaidshowedmorehumilityandlessaffectation。Whereotherpeoplestood,hesat;wheretheysat,hestood;whenhewenttoCourt,heusedtokickawaythestate,andsitdownbyhisprincecheekbyjowl。\"Confoundthesestates,\"sayshe,\"theyareamoderninvention。\"Whenhespoketohisprince,healwaysturnedhisbackuponhim。Ifhewasadvisedtofastforhishealth,hewouldeatroastbeef;ifhewasallowedamoreplentifuldiet,thenhewouldbesurethatdaytoliveuponwater-gruel;hewouldcryatawedding,laughandmakejestsatafuneral。

  Hewasnolesssingularinhisopinions。Youwouldhaveburstyoursidestohearhimtalkofpolitics。\"Allgovernment,\"sayshe,\"isfoundedupontherightdistributionofpunishments:decentexecutionskeeptheworldinawe;forthatreason,themajorityofmankindoughttobehangedeveryyear。Forexample,Isupposethemagistrateoughttopassanirreversiblesentenceuponallblue-eyedchildrenfromthecradle;butthattheremaybesomeshowofjusticeinthisproceeding,thesechildrenoughttobetrainedupbymasters,appointedforthatpurpose,toallsortsofvillany,thattheymaydeservetheirfate,andtheexecutionofthemmayserveasanobjectofterrortotherestofmankind。\"*Astothegivingofpardons,hehadthissingularmethod:**thatwhenthesewretcheshadtheropeabouttheirnecks,itshouldbeinquiredwhobelievedtheyshouldbehanged,andwhonot?Thefirstweretobepardoned,thelasthangedoutright。Suchaswereoncepardonedwerenevertobehangedafterwardsforanycrimewhatsoever。Hehadsuchskillinphysiognomy,thathewouldpronounceperemptorilyuponaman’sface。

  \"Thatfellow,\"sayshe,\"dowhathewill,can’tavoidhanging;hehasahanginglook。\"Bythesamearthewouldprognosticateaprincipalitytoascoundrel。

  *Absolutepredestinationandreprobation。

  **SavingFaith:abeliefthatoneshallcertainlybesaved。

  Hewasnolessparticularinthechoiceofhisstudies;theyweregenerallybenttowardsexplodedchimeras*——theperpetuummobile,thecircularshot,philosopher’sstone,silentgunpowder,makingchainsforfleas,netsforflies,andinstrumentstounravelcobwebsandsplithairs。

  *ThelearningofthePresbyterians。

  Thus,Ithink,IhavegivenadistinctaccountofthemethodshepractiseduponPeg。Herbrotherwouldnowandthenaskher,\"Whatdostthouseeinthatpragmaticalcoxcombtomaketheesoinlovewithhim?Heisafitmatchforatailor’sorashoemaker’sdaughter,butnotforyouthatareagentlewoman?\"\"Fancyisfree,\"

  quothPeg;\"I’lltakemyownway,doyoutakeyours。Idonotcareforyourflauntingbeaus,thatgangwiththeirbreastsopen,andtheirsarksovertheirwaistcoats,thataccostmewithsetspeechesoutofSidney’s’Arcadia’orthe’AcademyofCompliments。’Jackisasober,graveyoungman;thoughhehasnoneofyourstudiedharangues,hismeaningissincere。Hehasagreatregardtohisfather’swill,andhethatshowshimselfagoodsonwillmakeagoodhusband。Besides,IknowhehastheoriginaldeedofconveyancetotheFortunateIslands;theothersarecounterfeits。\"Thereisnothingsoobstinateasayoungladyinheramours;themoreyoucrossher,theworsesheis。

  CHAPTERIV。HowtherelationsreconciledJohnandhissisterPeg,andwhatreturnPegmadetoJohn’smessage。*

  *TheTreatyofUnion。Reasonofit:theSuccessionnotbeingsettledinScotland。FearsforthePresbyterianChurchGovernment,andofbeingburdenedwiththeEnglishNationalDebts。

  JohnBull,otherwiseagood-naturedman,wasveryhard-heartedtohissisterPeg,chieflyfromanaversionhehadconceivedinhisinfancy。Whileheflourished,keptawarmhouse,anddroveaplentifultrade,poorPegwasforcedtogohawkingandpeddlingaboutthestreetssellingknives,scissors,andshoe-buckles;nowandthencarriedabasketoffishtothemarket;sewed,spun,andknitforalivelihood,tillherfingers’endsweresore;andwhenshecouldnotgetbreadforherfamily,shewasforcedtohirethemoutatjourney-worktoherneighbours。Yetintheseherpoorcircumstancesshestillpreservedtheairandmienofagentlewoman——

  acertaindecentpridethatextortedrespectfromthehaughtiestofherneighbours。Whenshecameintoanyfullassembly,shewouldnotyieldthepastothebestofthem。Ifoneaskedher,\"ArenotyourelatedtoJohnBull?\"\"Yes,\"saysshe,\"hehasthehonourtobemybrother。\"SoPeg’saffairswenttillalltherelationscriedoutshameuponJohnforhisbarbaroususageofhisownfleshandblood;thatitwasaneasymatterforhimtoputherinacreditablewayofliving,notonlywithouthurt,butwithadvantagetohimself,seeingshewasanindustriousperson,andmightbeserviceabletohiminhiswayofbusiness。\"Hangher,jade,\"quothJohn,\"Ican’tendureheraslongasshekeepsthatrascalJack’scompany。\"Theytoldhimthewaytoreclaimherwastotakeherintohishouse;thatbyconversationthechildishhumoursoftheiryoungerdaysmightbewornout。Theseargumentswereenforcedbyacertainincident。IthappenedthatJohnwasatthattimeaboutmakinghiswill*andentailinghisestate,theverysameinwhichNic。Frogisnamedexecutor。Now,hissisterPeg’snamebeingintheentail,hecouldnotmakeathoroughsettlementwithoutherconsent。Therewas,indeed,amaliciousstorywentaboutasifJohn’slastwifehadfalleninlovewithJackashewaseatingcustardonhorseback;**

  thatshepersuadedJohntotakehissisterintothehousethebettertodriveontheintriguewithJack,concludinghewouldfollowhismistressPeg。AllIcaninferfromthisstoryisthatwhenonehasgotabadcharacterintheworldpeoplewillreportandbelieveanythingofthem,trueorfalse。Buttoreturntomystory。WhenPegreceivedJohn’smessageshehuffedandstormed:\"MybrotherJohn,\"quothshe,\"isgrownwondrouskind-heartedallofasudden,butImeikledoubtwhetheritbenotmairfortheirownconveniencythanformygood;hedrawsuphiswritsandhisdeeds,forsooth,andImustsetmyhandtothem,unsight,unseen。Iliketheyoungmanhehassettleduponwellenough,butIthinkIoughttohaveavaluableconsiderationformyconsent。Hewantsmypoorlittlefarmbecauseitmakesanookinhispark-wall。Yemaye’entellhimhehasmairthanhemakesgooduseof;hegangsupanddowndrinking,roaring,andquarrelling,throughallthecountrymarkets,makingfoolishbargainsinhiscups,whichherepentswhenheissober;

  likeathriftlesswretch,spendingthegoodsandgearthathisforefatherswonwiththesweatoftheirbrows:lightcome,lightgo,hecaresnotafarthing。ButwhyshouldIstandsuretyforhiscontracts?ThelittleIhaveisfree,andIcancallitmyawn——

  hame’shame,letitbeneversohamely。Ikenhimwellenough,hecouldneverabideme,andwhenhehashisendshe’lle’enusemeashedidbefore。I’msureIshallbetreatedlikeapoordrudge——I

  shallbesettotendthebairns,darnthehose,andmendthelinen。

  Thenthere’snolivingwiththatoldcarlinehismother;sherailsatJack,andJack’sanhonestermanthananyofherkin:IshallbeplaguedwithherspellsandherPaternosters,andsillyoldworldceremonies;ImunneverparemynailsonaFriday,norbeginajourneyonChildermasDay;andImunstandbeekingandbingingasI

  gangoutandintothehall。Tellhimhemaye’enganghisget;I’llhavenothingtodowithhim;I’llstaylikethepoorcountrymouse,inmyawnhabitation。\"SoPegtalked;butforallthat,bytheinterpositionofgoodfriends,andbymanyabonnythingthatwassent,andmanymorethatwerepromisedPeg,thematterwasconcluded,andPegtakenintothehouseuponcertainarticles:***

  oneofwhichwasthatshemighthavethefreedomofJack’sconversation,andmighttakehimforbetterandforworseifshepleased:providedalwayshedidnotcomeintothehouseatunseasonablehoursanddisturbtherestoftheoldwoman,John’smother。

  *TheActofSuccession。

  **APresbyterianLordMayor。

  ***TheActofToleration。

  CHAPTERV。OfsomeQuarrelsthathappenedafterPegwastakenintotheFamily。*

  *QuarrelsaboutsomeoftheArticlesofUnion,particularlythepeerage。

  Itisanoldobservationthatthequarrelsofrelationsarehardertoreconcilethananyother;injuriesfromfriendsfretandgallmore,andthememoryofthemisnotsoeasilyobliterated。ThisiscunninglyrepresentedbyoneofyouroldsagescalledAesop,inthestoryofthebirdthatwasgrievedextremelyatbeingwoundedwithanarrowfeatheredwithhisownwing;asalsooftheoakthatletmanyaheavygroanwhenhewascleftwithawedgeofhisowntimber。

  TherewasnomanintheworldlesssubjecttorancourthanJohnBull,consideringhowoftenhisgoodnaturehasbeenabused;yetI

  don’tknowbuthewastooapttohearkentotattlingpeoplethatcarrytalesbetweenhimandhissisterPeg,onpurposetosowjealousiesandsetthemtogetherbytheears。TheysaythatthereweresomehardshipsputuponPegwhichhadbeenbetterletalone;

  butitwasthebusinessofgoodpeopletorestraintheinjuriesononesideandmoderatetheresentmentsontheother——agoodfriendactsbothparts,theonewithouttheotherwillnotdo。

  Thepurchase-moneyofPeg’sfarmwasillpaid;*thenPeglovedalittlegoodliquor,andtheservantsshutupthewine-cellar;butforthatPegfoundatrick,forshemadeafalsekey。**Peg’sservantscomplainedthattheyweredebarredfromallmannerofbusiness,andneversufferedtotouchtheleastthingwithinthehouse;iftheyofferedtocomeintothewarehouse,thenstraightwenttheyardslapovertheirnoddle;iftheyventuredintothecounting-roomafellowwouldthrowanink-bottleattheirhead;iftheycameintothebestapartmenttosetanythingthereinorder,theyweresalutedwithabroom;iftheymeddledwithanythinginthekitchenitwasoddsbutthecooklaidthemoverthepatewithaladle;onethatwouldhavegotintothestableswasmetbytworascals,whofelltoworkwithhimwithabrushandacurry-comb;

  someclimbingupintothecoachbox,weretoldthatoneoftheircompanionshadbeentherebeforethatcouldnotdrive,thenslapwentthelongwhipabouttheirears。

  *Theequivalentnotpaid。

  **Runwine。

  Ontheotherhand,itwascomplainedthatPeg’sservantswerealwaysaskingfordrink-money;thattheyhadmorethantheirshareoftheChristmas-box。*Tosaythetruth,Peg’sladsbustledprettyhardforthat,forwhentheywereendeavouringtolockituptheygotintheirgreatfistsandpulledouthandfulsofhalfcrowns,shillings,andsixpences。Othersinthescramblepickedupguineasandbroad-pieces。Buttherehappenedaworsethingthanallthis:itwascomplainedthatPeg’sservantshadgreatstomachs,andbroughtsomanyoftheirfriendsandacquaintancetothetablethatJohn’sfamilywasliketobeeatenoutofhouseandhome。Insteadofregulatingthismatterasitoughttobe,Peg’syoungmenwerethrustawayfromthetable;thentherewasthedevilandalltodo——

  spoons,plates,anddishesflewabouttheroomlikemad,andSirRoger,whowasnowMajordomo,hadenoughtodotoquietthem。Pegsaidthiswascontrarytoagreement,wherebyshewasinallthingstobetreatedlikeachildofthefamily。Thenshecalleduponthosethathadmadehersuchfairpromises,andundertookforherbrotherJohn’sgoodbehaviour;but,alas!tohercostshefoundthattheywerethefirstandreadiesttodohertheinjury。Johnatlastagreedtothisregulation:thatPeg’sfootmenmightsitwithhisbook-keeper,journeymen,andapprentices,andPeg’sbettersortofservantsmightsitwithhisfootmeniftheypleased。**

  *Endeavouredtogettheirshareofplaces。

  **ArticlesofUnion,wherebytheycouldmakeaScot’scommoner,butnotalordapeer。

  Thentheybegantoorderplum-porridgeandmincedpiesforPeg’sdinner。Pegtoldthemshehadanaversiontothatsortoffood;

  thatuponforcingdownamessofitsomeyearsagoitthrewherintoafittillshebroughtitupagain。Someallegeditwasnothingbuthumour,thatthesamemessshouldbeservedupagainforsupper,andbreakfastnextmorning;otherswouldhavemadeuseofahorn,butthewisersortbidletheralone,andshemighttaketoitofherownaccord。

  CHAPTERVI。TheconversationbetweenJohnBullandhiswife。*

  *ThehistoryofthePartitionTreaty;suspicionsatthattimethattheFrenchKingintendedtotakethewhole,andthatherevealedthesecrettotheCourtofSpain。

  MRS。BULL。——Thoughouraffairs,honey,areinabadcondition,I

  haveabetteropinionofthemsinceyouseemedtobeconvincedoftheillcourseyouhavebeenin,andareresolvedtosubmittoproperremedies。ButwhenIconsideryourimmensedebts,yourfoolishbargains,andthegeneraldisorderofyourbusiness,Ihaveacuriositytoknowwhatfateorchancehasbroughtyouintothiscondition。

  JOHNBULL。——Iwishyouwouldtalkofsomeothersubject,thethoughtsofitmakesmemad;ourfamilymusthavetheirrun。

  MRS。BULL。——Butsuchastrangethingasthisneverhappenedtoanyofyourfamilybefore:theyhavehadlawsuits,but,thoughtheyspenttheincome,theynevermortgagedthestock。Sure,youmusthavesomeoftheNormanortheNorfolkbloodinyou。Prithee,givemesomeaccountofthesematters。

  JOHNBULL。——Whocouldhelpit?TherelivesnotsuchafellowbybreadasthatoldLewisBaboon:heisthemostcheating,contentiousrogueuponthefaceoftheearth。Youmustknow,oneday,asNic。FrogandIwereoverabottlemakingupanoldquarrel,theoldfellowwouldneedshaveusdrinkabottleofhischampagne,andsooneafteranother,tillmyfriendNic。andI,notbeingusedtosuchheadystuff,gotverydrunk。Lewisallthewhile,eitherbythestrengthofhisbrainorflinchinghisglass,kepthimselfsoberasajudge。\"Myworthyfriends,\"quothLewis,\"henceforthletusliveneighbourly;Iamaspeaceableandquietasalambofmyowntemper,butithasbeenmymisfortunetoliveamongquarrelsomeneighbours。Thereisbutonethingcanmakeusfallout,andthatistheinheritanceofLordStrutt’sestate:Iamcontent,forpeace’sake,towaivemyright,andsubmittoanyexpedienttopreventalawsuit;Ithinkanequaldivision*willbethefairestway。\"\"Wellmoved,OldLewis,\"quothFrog,\"andIhopemyfriendJohnherewillnotberefractory。\"Atthesametimeheclappedmeontheback,andslabberedmealloverfromcheektocheekwithhisgreattongue。\"Doasyouplease,gentlemen,\"quothI,\"’tisallonetoJohnBull。\"Weagreedtopartthatnight,andnextmorningtomeetatthecornerofLordStrutt’sparkwall,withoursurveyinginstruments,whichaccordinglywedid。OldLewiscarriedachainandasemicircle;Nic。,paper,rulers,andaleadpencil;andI

  followedatsomedistancewithalongpole。Webeganfirstwithsurveyingthemeadowgrounds,afterwardswemeasuredthecornfields,closebyclose;thenweproceededtothewoodlands,thecopperandtinmines。**AllthiswhileNic。laiddowneverythingexactlyuponpaper,calculatedtheacresandroodstoagreatnicety。Whenwehadfinishedtheland,weweregoingtobreakintothehouseandgardens,totakeaninventoryofhisplate,pictures,andotherfurniture。

  *ThePartitionTreaty。

  **TheWestIndies。

  MRS。BULL。——WhatsaidLordStrutttoallthis?

  JOHNBULL。——Aswehadalmostfinishedourconcern,wewereaccostedbysomeofLordStrutt’sservants。\"Heyday!what’shere?whatadevil’sthemeaningofallthesetrangramsandgimcracks,gentlemen?

  Whatinthenameofwonder,areyougoingabout,jumpingovermymaster’shedges,andrunningyourlinescrosshisgrounds?Ifyouareatanyfieldpastime,youmighthaveaskedleave:mymasterisacivilwell-bredpersonasanyis。\"

  MRS。BULL。——Whatcouldyouanswertothis?

  JOHNBULL。——Why,truly,myneighbourFrogandIwerestillhot-

  headed;wetoldhimhismasterwasanolddotingpuppy,thatmindednothingofhisownbusiness;thatweweresurveyinghisestate,andsettlingitforhim,sincehewouldnotdoithimself。Uponthistherehappenedaquarrel,butwebeingstrongerthanthey,sentthemawaywithafleaintheirear。Theywenthomeandtoldtheirmaster。\"Mylord,\"saythey,\"therearethreeoddsortoffellowsgoingaboutyourgroundswiththestrangestmachinesthateverwebeheldinourlife:Isupposetheyaregoingtorobyourorchard,fellyourtrees,ordriveawayyourcattle。Theytoldusstrangethingsofsettlingyourestate——oneisalustyoldfellowinablackwig,withablackbeard,withoutteeth;there’sanother,thicksquatfellow,intrunkhose;thethirdisalittle,long-nosed,thinman(Iwasthenlean,beingjustcomeoutofafitofsickness)——I

  supposeitisfittosendafterthem,lesttheycarrysomethingaway?\"

  MRS。BULL。——Ifancythisputtheoldfellowinararetweague。

  JOHNBULL。——Weakashewas,hecalledforhislongToledo,sworeandbouncedabouttheroom:\"’Sdeath!whatamIcometo,tobeaffrontedsobymytradesmen?Iknowtherascals:mybarber,clothier,andlinen-draperdisposeofmyestate!Bringhithermyblunderbuss;I’llwarrantyeyoushallseedaylightthroughthem。

  Scoundrels!dogs!thescumoftheearth!Frog,thatwasmyfather’skitchen-boy,hepretendtomeddlewithmyestate——withmywill!Ah,poorStrutt!whatarethoucometoatlast?Thouhastlivedtoolongintheworld,toseethyageandinfirmitysodespised!Howwilltheghostsofmynobleancestorsreceivethesetidings?——theycannot,theymustnotsleepquietlyintheirgraves。\"Inshort,theoldgentlemanwascarriedoffinafaintingfit,andafterbleedinginbotharmshardlyrecovered。

  MRS。BULL。——Reallythiswasaveryextraordinarywayofproceeding!

  Ilongtoheartherestofit。

  JOHNBULL。——Afterwehadcomebacktothetavern,andtakent’otherbottleofchampagne,wequarrelledalittleaboutthedivisionoftheestate。LewishauledandpulledthemapononesideandFrogandIont’other,tillwehadliketohavetoretheparchmenttopieces。AtlastLewispulledoutapairofgreattailor’sshearsandcliptacornerforhimself,whichhesaidwasamanorthatlayconvenientforhim,andleftFrogandmetheresttodisposeofaswepleased。WewereoverjoyedtothinkLewiswascontentedwithsolittle,notsmellingwhatwasatthebottomoftheplot。Therehappened,indeed,anincidentthatgaveussomedisturbance。A

  cunningfellow,oneofmyservants,twodaysafter,peepingthroughthekeyhole,observedthatoldLewishadstoleawayourpartofthemap,andsawhimfiddlingandturningthemapfromonecornertotheother,tryingtojointhetwopiecestogetheragain。Hewasmutteringsomethingtohimself,whichhedidnotwellhear,onlythesewords,\"’Tisgreatpity!’tisgreatpity!\"Myservantaddedthathebelievedthishadsomeillmeaning。Itoldhimhewasacoxcomb,alwayspretendingtobewiserthanhiscompanions。LewisandIaregoodfriends,he’sanhonestfellow,andIdaresaywillstandtohisbargain。Thesequelofthestoryprovedthisfellow’ssuspiciontobetoowellgrounded;forLewisrevealedourwholesecrettothedeceasedLordStrutt,whoinrewardforhistreachery,andrevengetoFrogandme,settledhiswholeestateuponthepresentPhilipBaboon。Thenweunderstoodwhathemeantbypiecingthemaptogether。

  MRS。BULL。——Andwereyousurprisedatthis?HadnotLordStruttreasontobeangry?Wouldyouhavebeencontentedtohavebeensousedyourself?

  JOHNBULL。——Why,truly,wife,itwasnoteasilyreconciledtothecommonmethods;butthenitwasthefashiontodosuchthings。I

  havereadofyourgoldenage,yoursilverage,etc。;onemightjustlycallthistheageofthelawyers。Therewashardlyamanofsubstanceinallthecountrybuthadacounterfeitthatpretendedtohisestate。*Asthephilosopherssaythatthereisaduplicateofeveryterrestrialanimalatsea,soitwasinthisageofthelawyers:therewereatleasttwoofeverything;nay,o’myconscience,IthinktherewerethreeEsquireHackums**atonetime。

  Inshort,itwasusualforaparceloffellowstomeetanddisposeofthewholeestatesinthecountry。\"Thisliesconvenientforme,Tom。Thouwouldstdomoregoodwiththat,Dick,thantheoldfellowthathasit。\"Sotolawtheywentwiththetrueowners:thelawyersgotwellbyit;everybodyelsewasundone。Itwasacommonthingforanhonestmanwhenhecamehomeatnighttofindanotherfellowdomineeringinhisfamily,hectoringhisservants,andcallingforsupper。IneveryhouseyoumightobservetwoSosiasquarrellingwhowasmaster。Formyownpart,Iamstillafraidofthesametreatment:thatIshouldfindsomebodybehindmycountersellingmybroad-cloth。

  *SeveralPretendersatthattime。

  **KingsofEngland。

  MRS。BULL。——Thereisasortoffellowstheycallbanterersandbamboozlersthatplaysuchtricks,butitseemsthesefellowswereinearnest。

  JOHNBULL。——Ibegintothinkthatjusticeisabetterrulethanconveniency,forallsomepeoplemakesoslightonit。

  CHAPTERVII。OfthehardshiftsMrs。BullwasputtopreservetheManorofBullock’sHatch,withSirRoger’smethodtokeepoffimportunateduns。*

  *Someattemptstodestroythepubliccreditatthattime。MannersoftheEarlofOxford。

  AsJohnBullandhiswifeweretalkingtogethertheyweresurprisedwithasuddenknockingatthedoor。\"Thosewickedscrivenersandlawyers,nodoubt,\"quothJohn;andsoitwas,someaskingforthemoneyheowed,andotherswarningtopreparefortheapproachingterm。\"WhatacursedlifedoIlead!\"quothJohn;\"debtislikedeadlysin。ForGod’ssake,SirRoger,getmeridofthefellows。\"

  \"I’llwarrantyou,\"quothSirRoger;\"leavethemtome。\"And,indeed,itwaspleasantenoughtoobserveSirRoger’smethodwiththeseimportunateduns。HissincerefriendshipforJohnBullmadehimsubmittomanythingsforhisservicewhichhewouldhavescornedtohavedoneforhimself。Sometimeshewouldstandatthedoorwithhislongstafftokeepofftheduns,untilJohngotoutatthebackdoor。WhenthelawyersandtradesmenbroughtextravagantbillsSirRogerusedtobargainbeforehandforleavetocutoffaquarterofayardinanypartofthebillhepleased;heworeapairofscissorsinhispocketforthispurpose,andwouldsnipitoffsonicelyasyoucannotimagine。Likeatruegoldsmithhekeptallyourholidays;therewasnotonewantinginhiscalendar;whenreadymoneywasscarce,hewouldsetthema-tellingathousandpoundsinsixpences,groats,andthreepenny-pieces。Itwouldhavedoneyourheartgoodtohaveseenhimchargethroughanarmyoflawyers,attorneys,clerks,andtradesmen;sometimeswithswordinhand,atothertimesnuzzlinglikeaneelinthemud。Whenafellowstucklikeabur,thattherewasnoshakinghimoff,heusedtobemightyinquisitiveaboutthehealthofhisunclesandauntsinthecountry;

  hecouldcallthemallbytheirnames,forhekneweverybody,andcouldtalktothemintheirownway。Theextremelyimpertinenthewouldsendawaytoseesomestrangesight,astheDragonofHockleytheHole,orbidhimcallthe3OthofnextFebruary。Nowandthenyouwouldseehiminthekitchen,weighingthebeefandbutter,payingreadymoney,thatthemaidsmightnotrunatickatthemarket,andthebutchers,bybribingofthem,selldamagedandlightmeat。*Anothertimehewouldslipintothecellarandgaugethecasks。Inhisleisureminuteshewaspostinghisbooksandgatheringinhisdebts。Suchfrugalmethodswerenecessarywheremoneywassoscarceanddunssonumerous。AllthiswhileJohnkepthiscredit,couldshowhisheadbothat’ChangeandWestminsterHall;nomanprotestedhisbillnorrefusedhisbond;onlythesharpersandthescriveners,thelawyersandotherclerkspeltedSirRogerashewentalong。Thesquirterswereatitwiththeirkennelwater,fortheyweremadforthelossoftheirbubble,andthattheycouldnotgethimtomortgagethemanorofBullock’sHatch。SirRogershookhisearsandnuzzledalong,wellsatisfiedwithinhimselfthathewasdoingacharitableworkinrescuinganhonestmanfromtheclawsofharpiesandbloodsuckers。Mrs。Bulldidallthatanaffectionatewife,andagoodhousewife,coulddo;yettheboundariesofvirtuesareindivisiblelines。Itisimpossibletomarchupclosetothefrontiersoffrugalitywithoutenteringtheterritoriesofparsimony。Yourgoodhousewivesareapttolookintotheminutestthings;thereforesomeblamedMrs。Bullfornewheel-pieceingofhershoes,grudgingaquarterofapoundofsoapandsandtoscourtherooms**;but,especially,thatshewouldnotallowhermaidsandapprenticesthebenefitof\"JohnBunyan,\"the\"LondonApprentices,\"orthe\"SevenChampions,\"intheblackletter。***

  *SomeregulationsastothepurveyanceintheQueen’sfamily。

  **ToogreatsavingsintheHouseofCommons。

  ***RestrainingthelibertyofthePressbyActofParliament。

  CHAPTERVIII。AcontinuationoftheconversationbetwixtJohnBullandhiswife。

  MRS。BULL。——Itisamostsadlifewelead,mydear,tobesoteazed,payinginterestforolddebts,andstillcontractingnewones。

  However,Idon’tblameyouforvindicatingyourhonourandchastisingoldLewis。Tocurbtheinsolent,protecttheoppressed,recoverone’sown,anddefendwhatonehas,aregoodeffectsofthelaw。TheonlythingIwanttoknowishowyoucametomakeanendofyourmoneybeforeyoufinishedyoursuit。

  JOHNBULL。——Iwastoldbythelearnedinthelawthatmysuitstooduponthreefirmpillars:moremoneyformorelaw,morelawformoremoney,andnocomposition。Moremoneyformorelawwasplaintoademonstration,forwhocangotolawwithoutmoney?anditwasplainthatanymanthathasmoneymayhavelawforit。Thethirdwasasevidentastheothertwo;forwhatcompositioncouldbemadewitharoguethatneverkeptawordhesaid?

  MRS。BULL。——Ithinkyouaremostlikelytogetoutofthislabyrinthbytheseconddoor,bywantofreadymoneytopurchasethispreciouscommodity。Butyouseemnotonlytohaveboughttoomuchofit,buthavepaidtoodearforwhatyoubought,elsehowwasitpossibletorunsomuchindebtwhenatthisverytimetheyearlyincomeofwhatismortgagedtothoseusurerswoulddischargeHocus’sbills,andgiveyouyourbellyfulloflawforallyourlife,withoutrunningonesixpenceindebt?Youhavebeenbreduptobusiness;Isupposeyoucancypher;Iwonderyouneverusedyourpenandink。

点击下载App,搜索"The History of John Bull",免费读到尾