nest industry in a lawsuit for him, only upon the hopes of being his clothier? And when the cause is over, I shall not have the benefit of my project for want of money to go to market. Look ye, gentlemen, John Bull is but a plain man; but John Bull knows when he is ill used. I know the infirmity of our family; we are apt to play the boon companion, and throw away our money in our cups: but it was an unfair thing in you, gentlemen, to take advantage of my weakness, to keep a parcel of roaring bullies about me day and night, with huzzas and huntinghorns, and ringing the changes on butchers cleavers, never let me cool, and make me set my hand to papers, when I could hardly hold my pen. There will come a day of reckoning for all that proceeding. In the mean time, gentlemen, I beg you will let me into my affairs a little, and that you would not grudge me the small remainder of a very great estate. CHAP. XVII. Esquire South's message and letter to Mrs. Bull. THE arguments used by Hocus and the rest of the guardians had hitherto proved insufficient *: John and his wife could not be persuaded to bear the expense of esquire South's lawsuit. They thought it reasonable, that since he was to have the honour and advantage, he should bear the greatest share of the But as all attempts of the party to preclude the treaty were ineffectual, and complaints were made of the deficiencies of the house of Austria, the archduke sent a message and letter charges; charges; and retrench what he lost to sharpers, and spent upon country-dances and puppetplays, to apply it to that use. This was not very grateful to the esquire; therefore, as the last experiment, he resolved to send signior Benenato*, master of his foxhounds, to Mrs. Bull, to try what good he could do with her. This signior Benenato had all the qualities of a fine gentleman, that were fit to charm a lady's heart; and if any person in the world could have persuaded her, it was he. But such was her unshaken fidelity to her husband, and the constant purpose of her mind to pursue his interest, that the most refined arts of gallantry that were practised, could not seduce her heart. The necklaces, diamond crosses, and rich bracelets that were offered, she rejected with the utmost scorn and disdain. The musick and serenades that were given her, sounded more ungrateful in her ears than the noise of a screech-owl; however, she received esquire South's letter by the hands of signior Benenato with that respect, which became his quality. The copy of the letter is as follows, in which you will observe he changes a little his usual style. MADAM, THE writ of ejectment against Philip Baboon, (pretended lord Strutt) is just ready to pass there want but a few necessary forms, and a verdict or two more, to put me in quiet possession of my honour and estate: I question not, but that, according to your wonted generosity and goodness, you will give by prince Eugene, urging the continuance of the war, and offering to bear a proportion of the expense. it the finishing stroke; an honour that I would grudge any body but yourself. In order to ease you of some part of the charges, I promise to furnish pen, ink, and paper, provided you pay for the stamps. Besides, I have ordered my stewards to pay, out of the readiest and best of my rents, five pounds ten shillings a year, till my suit is finished. I wish you health and happiness, being, with due respect, Madam, Your assured friend, SOUTH. What answer Mrs. Bull returned to his letter you shall know in my Second Part, only they were at a pretty good distance in their proposals; for as esquire South only offered to be at the charges of pen, ink, and paper, Mrs. Bull refused any more than to lend her barge*, to carry his counsel to Westminsterhall. This proportion was however thought to be so inconsiderable, that the letter produced no other effect, than the convoy of the forces by the English fleet to Barcelona. |