首页 >出版文学> The History of John Bull>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。