brought into a Law for the wives of the deceased to accompany their Husbands in death by burning themselves with his body this is still used among persons of greatest worth the Women voluntary exposing their bodies to the flames And this is the sum of the second Tract of the book delivered to Breman The third Tract consisteth of their being disâ—inguished into Casts and Tribes with peculiar observations for eâ—ch The Brammanes being first have their name either of Brammon who was the first of that Tribe or else from Breman who was the first of the second Age to whom the Law was delivered of which there are two sorts the common and the more special the common Brammane hath eighty two Casts or Tribes which are distinguished by the names of the places of their first habitations These discharge the Ministerial function in praying and reading their Law to the People in which they use a kind of minical fantastical gesture and a singing tone They are first received into that Order at seven years of age using the ceremony of washing and shaving their heads only leaving one lock they are bound to a Pythagorean silence and prohibited haulking spitting or coughing wearing about there loins a girdle of an Antilopes skin and another thong of the same about their neck descending under the left arm At fourteen years of age they are admitted to be Brammanes exchanging those leather thongs for four sealing threads that come over the right shoulder and under the right arm which they sleep withal in honour of God and the three Persons they are enjoyned to keep all things in the Brammanes Law The more special sort of Brammanes are of the Cast of the Shuderys or Merchant-man who for devotion take this condition He wears a woollen garment of white reaching down to the middle of the thigh the rest is naked his head is always uncovered they do not shave but pluck off all the hair from their heads and beards leaving only one lock There are several Casts of these that live more strictly then the rest for these never marry are very moderate in their dyet and drink nothing but water boiled that so the vapour which they suppose to be life may go out they sweep away and disperse their dung lest it should generate worms that may havâ— life and be destroyed they keep an Hospital of lame and maimed flying fowl which they redeem with a price they have all things common but place no faith in outward washings but raâ—her imbrace a careless and sordid nastineâ—s The second Tribe or Cast was Cutteryes who had their name from Cuttery the second Son of Ponrous who having Dominion and Rule committed to him therefore all Souldiers and Kings are said to be of his Triâ—e That particular of Bremans Book that concerned this Cast contained certain precepts of Goverment and Policy which being of common import I chose to omit and shall only tell you that in their flourishing Estate they were the antient Kings of India especially of that part that is called Guzzarat and were called by the name of Racabâ— which signifies a King they are said to have thirty six Tribes and none were admitted to rule or govern but out of these Tribes But in time these Râ—cabs were most of them put from the Goverment and destroyed by the Mahometans who oppressed them some of them â—till remain and are called Rashpoots which I have before named some are as yet unconquered and sometimes fight with and against the great Mogul The third Son of Ponrous being called Shuddery and Merchandizing being appointed him all Merchants therefore are comprized under this Name The particular of Bremans Book that concerned this Cast was a Seminary of Religious advertizement enjoyning them to truths in their words and dealings These are they that are most properly called Banians which name signifies a harmless People that will not endure to see a fly or worm or any living thing to be injured and being themselves strucken bear it patiently without resistance they are equal in number of their Casts to the Brammanes and being like to them do more strictly follow their injunctions Their form and contract in buying and selling is something notable for the Broker that beateth the price with him that selleth looseth his Pamerin that is folded about his wast and spreading it upon his knee with hands folded underneath by their fingers ends the price of pounds shillings or pence is fixed as the Chapman is intended to give The seller in like manner intimateth how much he purposes to have which silent composition their Law enjoyneth Lastly as the Son of Ponrous was called Wyse and was maâ—ter of merchants or Handicrafts so all Handicrafts are of that Tribe The directions that were in Bremans book for these were touching their behaviours in their Callings The name Wyse signifies one that is servile or instrumentary these People are now commonly called Gentiles which are of two sorts first the purer Gentile such as dyet themâ—elves as the Banians not eating flesh fish or wine and the impure eat of all sorts and are commonly Hâ—sbandmen and uâ—ually called Coulees Those of the purer sort have thirty six Caâ—ts according to the number of the Trade practised among them in which they make as few instruments serve for the effecting of divers works as may be and whatever they do is contrary to the Christian form of working for the most part â—his is the substance of the third Tract of the Book delivered to Breman concerning the manner of the four Tribes This Book was by Breman communicated to the Brammanes to be published to the People who did give aâ—solute obedience to these injunctions but in time fraud violence and all manner of wickedness being committed God grew angry and acquainted Breman that he would destroy the world who acquainted the People herewith but to little purpose for soon after they fell to their wickedness and God took Breman up into his bosom who had interceeded for mankind then also Vistney whose nature and Office it was to pâ—eâ—erve the People did interceed but God would not be pacified but gave charge to Ruddery whose Office it was to destroy to cause the bowels of the earth to send out a wind to sweep the Nations as the dust from the face of the earth this command was accordingly executed and all people were destroyed saving a few that God permitted Visâ—ney to cover with the skirts of his preservation reserved to propagate mankind in the third Age and so this Age concluded The wickedness and ill government of the Kings and Rulers being the chief cause of destroying the last age therefore all those of Cutteries Tribe were all destroyed Now because it was necessary that there should be some of thaâ— Cast as well as others wherefore God raised that Tribe again out of the Cast of the Bramanes the name of him who renewed raised this Tribe was called Ram who was a good King and
had received a good-account though little satisfaction but since it is a Novelty and may well enough â—uit with the following discourse which will consist of several and variety of Knaveries and Cheatings whereof I suppose this of this Countries Religion mâ—y very well bear a part I shall give you a shoâ—t account thereof in this following Chapter CHAP. II. The Original Religion and Worship of the Banians Persees with all their Casts and Tribes THis large part of the World which is governed by the Great Mogul is inhabited by these three sort of People Banians Moor-men or Rashpoots and Persees the several Religions or Worships of the first and last viz. the Banians and Persees I shall here give you an account of but for the Moors or Rashpoots they have little esteem â—or any Religion in particular and being â—or the most part Souldiers are of the Great Moguls Religion which is partly Mahometan I shall therefore begin with the Banians who believe in one God that he created the World out of nothing that after this manner first he having the 4 Elements of Air Earth Fire water for a ground-work by some great cane or such like instruments blew upon the Waters which arose into a bubble of a round form like an Egg which spreading it self made the firmament so clear and transparent which now compasseth the world about after this there remaining true liquid substance in the earth God made of both these together a thing round like a ball which is called the lower World the more solid part became earth the liquid Sea both which making one Glob he by a great noise or huming sound placed them in the midst of the firmament there he created the Sun and Moon to distinguish times and seasons and the four elements which were before mixed were now separated and assigned to their several places and discharged their several officies the Air filled up the empty parts the fire nourished with heat the earth and sea brought forth their living creatures and then was the World created and as it had its beginning from four Elements so it was measured by four points As East West North and South and was to be continued for four Ages to be peopled by four Casts or sorts of men who were to be married to four sort of women appointed for them The world being made man was likewise made out of the earth God putting into him life and he Worshipping his Creator woman was like-wise made and given to him as a companion the first mans name was Poucous and the womans name was Parcontee and they lived together as man and wife feeding on the fruits of the earth not destroying any living Creature These two had four sons called Brammon Cuttery Shaddery and Wyse who were of different and distinct nature from each other for Brammon was of an earthly constitution and therefore Melancholly Gutteâ—y fiery and therefore Martial Shaddery Flogmatic and therefore peaceable Wyse airey and therefore full of contrivances and inventions Brammon being melancholly and ingenious God gave him knowledge and appointed him to impart his laws and therefore gave him a book conteining the form of Divine Worship and Religion Cuttery being Martial had power to Govern Kingdoms and therefore had a sword given him Shaddery being mild and conversable it was thought fit that be should be a Merchant and Trâ—ffick and therefore had a pair of ballances and a bag of waits hung at his Girdle and Wyse being aiery was appointed for a Mechanick or handicrafts man and therefore had a bag of several sorts of tools These were the first men and these their qualities according to the Banian tradition that peopled the earth Poucous and Parcontee had no daughters because the sons should go else where to find them Wives which were made for them and pâ—aced at the four winds the four sons being grown up to mans estate were commanded to travel And Frst Bramon with his Book in his hand took his journey towards the rising of the Sun in the East for the place where they were born and their Parents created was in the Middle or Navel of the World the Sun at Noon-day casting no shaddow Brammon taking his journey as is said towards the East arrived at a goodly Mountain before which was a Valley through which there passed a Brook in the descent of which there appeared a Woman a drinking This Woman was of black hair yellow complexion of an indifferent size and a modest aspect and indeed in every thing made as if made for her beholder who being naked and seeing her to be so too was more bashful than the Woman who make silence by questioning the cause of his coming thither Brammon hearing her speak anâ— that in his own Language thus reply'd That the great God who made all things had sent him thither The Woman seeing his Book asked the use of it whereupon he opening it shewed her the Contents thereof and after some other diâ—course she consented to be married to him acording to the form prescribed in that book which being dâ—ne they lay together and had many children who peopled the East part of the world this womans name was Savatree Cuttery the 2d Brother was sent upon the same account to the West part of the world and taking his sword in his hand he advanced on his journey but not meeting with any adventure or occasion to make use thereof he was much troubled desiring above all things that he might meet with some people whereon he might exercise his courage thus impatiently did he proceed on his journey till he arrived near a high Mountain where he might behould a Personage who was walking with a Martial pace and coming nearer found to be a Woman armed with a weapon call'd a Chuckery They were no sooner met but they encountred and set upon one another but though he expected a sudden conquest yet was he deceived therein for his adversary held him in play all that day till night parted them The next day also they wholly spent in fight he gained no advanrage over his female enemy only at the cloze of the day he had the fortune to cut her weapon in two but the night coming on she escaped from him without any further damage The next day she was provided vvith Bovv and Aâ—rovvs and then had a great advantage over them because she could wound him at a distance and he could not hurt her without a close fight he being sensible of this odds clozed with her by main strength threw her down holding her by the hair of the head when having a perfect view of her beauty instead of an enemy he became a lover of his beautiful object and that he might gain her affections he threw by his weapons and applyed himself to her in fair speeches to whiâ—h she was attentive and he at length became so prevalent that they at present plighted troths to one another and of enemies not only
at that instant became friends but in short time after living together and Nature dictating to them what must be done for the procreation of the like they tasted the fruit of Loves garden and had many children who peopled the West part of the World this Womans name was Toddicastree Chuddery the 3 d. Son who was the Merchant-man was sent to the North with his ballance and weights and he after much travel happened on a place where he found Pearls and a Rock or mine of Diamonds and believing them by reason of their great lustre in the dark of some extraordinary value took some of them with him and special notice of the place that he might find it again and so proceeding on his journey came to the place where was the Woman that was to be his Wife who was wandring by the siâ—e of a wood she seeing him became fearful but he coming to her and giving her good words won upon her to stay and receive him into her company and after an account of his journey which she concluded was purposely designed to her because they understood one anothers speech he bestowed some of his Pearls and Diamonds upon her in time they proving the comforts of the conjoyned joyned state had several children who peopled the North part of the World and became Merchantmn he afterwards travelling with them shewed them the rock of Diamonds this Womans name was Visagundah Wyse the 4th and youngest of the Brethren wen also to the South parts of the World and carried his tools with him whereby he was able to build a house or perâ—orm any other piece of work needful for the use of man he was forced to pass over seven Seas at each place making a Vessel and leaving it behind him the last Sea was called Pashurbateâ— and brought him to a Land called Derpe where he built him a house to live in which he did with much content till the Woman appointed for him came thither to behold the same She was very amiable and whâ—te and her hair was powdred with Saunders and oâ—her Odours She first spake to him demanding how he came thither He answered her that the Almighty had sent him and had taken great pains by coming over seven Seas to wait on her She was displeased with his discourse and house telling him that she needed him not and notwithstanding all his perswasions left him he after wards met her walking in the Woods but could not prevail with her to continue with him but left him much troubled After this he being in a profound melancholly walking abroad came too parcel of trees under which he placed himself and there prayed to his Creator that he might not lose his labour in coming so far to â—ind a Woman that would not converse with him To this Prayer he had answer that his requeâ—t should be granted on condâ—tion thaâ— for the future he would erect Images and adore and worship them under green â—â—ees To this he consented and at the next meeting he gained the good will of this Woman who was named Ieâ—unnogundah so that she became his wife by whom he had several children that peopled the South These Four Brethren being thus dispersed at the 4 several parts of the earth and having peopled the same were all desirous of returning to their own Country from whence they came to see their Father and Mother and recount their several adventures to them and to that end leaving their children behind they and their Wives travelled so long till they came to the place where they were first joyfully received of their Parents and then of each other â—there they likewise had several other children begetting several generations that all the World might be instructed in their several qualities by Bramoâ— in matters of Religion by Cuttery in Rule and Governments by Shuddery in Traffick and Merchandize and by Wyse in matters of Handicrafts of which four Casts the world consisteth every one of them living in his several quality keeping his tribe free from confusion or interfering and thus the World was peopled but in time multitude begat differenâ—e and disorder and mischief and every Person disagreed with the other every one producing new and various differences as well in matters of Religion and Worship as in all other affairs when the Almighty for the wickedness of mankind sent a flood which came and destroyed all the Creatures of the earth and this according to the tradition of the Banians was the first Age of the World This world of Creatures being destroyed others were made in this manner The Almighty first made out of the earth these three Creatures Breman Visteny 〈…〉 to Breman he gave the power of making Creatures because say the Banians as great persons do not their work but by Deputies so neither was it fit that God should be â—ervile to his Creatures but give to them their being by his Instruments To the second which was Vistney he gave charge to preserve the creatures But to the third which was â—uddeâ—y he gave power to destroy them because he knew they would be wicked and deserve Judgements Breman was to be taken up to Heaven in conclusion of the second age Vistney was to live as long agaâ—n as Breman and Ruddery was to continue three times as long and then he should destroy all the world which should be the great day of Judgement Breman according to the power given him produced Man and Woman out of his own bowels who being instructed by him gave worship to God and reverence to him the Man was by him named Mamaw and the Woman Ceterrupa they were ent to the East and there they had three sons and three daughters who were sent severally to the West North and South which were peopled by them thus man being made by Breman Vistney provided things necessary for them and Ruddery dispersed afflictions sicknesses and death as Men did deserve them It was now necessary say the Banians that the Law should be given according to which tâ—ey should live and therefore Breman being called up into a Mountain the Almighty gave him out of a cloud a book which the Banians call the Shaster wherein was written their Laws this book consisted of three Tracts The first whereof contained their Moral Law and an Explication or Appropriation of the precepts to every several Tribe and Cast. The second was their Ceremonial Law The third distinguished them into Casts or Tribes with peculiar observations for each Cast and Tâ—ibe The first Tract of the moral Law contained eight commandements 1. That they should kill no living Creature because like Man it â—ad a soul. 2. That they should make a Covenant with their five sences the Eyes not to see evil tkings the Ears not to hear evil things the Tongue not to speak evil the Pallat not to tast as wine or flesh the hands not to touch any thing defiled 3. That they should duly observe the times of devotion in washing worship
that the times would be worse and worse desired to live no longer than till he had discharged his Message and then that he might be translated to the same place of glory so he was reduced to his proper sense and remained in heaven many days and then having received the Book of the Law and the heavenly fire he was conveyed by an Angel to Earth agaiâ— But the Angel had no sooner left him but Lucifer met him but notwithstanding his perswasions he went on in his designs of revealing the Law which he did first to his Father and Mother and by their means it came to the ears of Gustasph then King of Persia who sending for him he told the King every circumstance so that the King began to incline to his religion often sending for and conversing with him The Churchmen of that time endeavoured to put infamy upon Zertoâ—st by perswading the King that he was an Impostor and of unclean living for that he â—ad the bones of humane bodies under his bed the King hearing this sent to search and found it so to be for these Churchmen had caused them to be conveyed thither wherefore Zertoost by order of the King was put in Prison but there happened an occasion that he was not only soon released but also brought into the Kings favour for the King having a Horse that he prized that fell sick and no person able to cure him Zeroost undertook the cure and performed it and working some other miracles was now of good credit and esteemed as a man come fâ—om God so that now his Book gained an esteem and the King himself told him That if he would grant him four demands he would believe his Law and be a Professor thereof The demands were these First That he might ascend to Heaven and descend when he list Secondly That he might know what God would do at present and in time to come Thirdly That he might never dye Fourthly That no instrument whatsoâ—ver might have power to wound or hurt him Zertoost did consent that all this might â—e done but not by one person and therefore to the first Gustasph had power to ascend to and descend from Heaven granted to him The second which was to know what would fall out present and hereafter was granted to the Kings Church-man The third which was to live for ever was granted to Gustasph's eldest Son named Dischuon who yet lives as they say at a place in Persia called Demawando Lohoo in a high Mountain with a guard of thirty men to which place all living creatures are forbidden to approach lest they should live for ever as they do who abide there The last which was never to be wounded with instrument or weapon was granted to the youngest Son of Gvstasph called Esplandiar So Gustasph and the other three mentioned proving the power of these several gifts all determined to live according to the precepts in Zertoosts Book he unfolding the contents thereof which were these This Book contained three several Tracts the first whereof was of Judicial Astrology the second was of Physick the third was called Zertoost and this was of matters of Religion And these three Tracts were delivered to the Magis Physitians and Church-men called Darooes theâ—e Tracts were divided into Chapters seven were in the Wisemen or Iesopps Book seven in the Physitians and seven in the Darooes Book the two first is unlawful or unnecessary I shall omit it and proceed to the third The Dicision of men being Laity and Clergy and those of the Clergy being ordinary or extraordinary It pleased God say the Persees to divide and apportion his Law among these men First therefore to the Lay-man God gave five Commandments 1. To have shame over them as a remedy against sin for that will keep them from oppressing his inferiours from stealing from being drunk and from bearing false witness 2. To have fear alwayes present that they might not commit sin 3. When they go about any thing to think whether it be good or bad so to do it or to let it alone 4. That the sight of Godâ—s creatures in the morning put them in mind to give God thanks for them 5 That when they pray by day they turn their faces towards the Sun and by night towards the Moon These are the precepts enjoyned the Lay-men those of the common Church-man follow who are bound to keep not only these appropriated to him but the proceeding precepts 1. To pray after the manner is described in the Zundavestaw for God is best pleased with that form 2. To keep his eyes from coveting any thing that is anothers 3. To have a great care to speak the truth alwayes because Lucifer is the father of falshood 4. To meddle with no bodies business but his own and not meddle with the things of the world for the Lay-man shall provide all things needful for him 5. To learn the Zundavestaw by heart that he may teach the Lay-man 6. To keep himself pure as from dead carcases or unclean meats lest he be defiled 7. To forgive all injuries in imitation of God who daily forgives us 8. To teach the common people to pray to pray with them for any good and when they come to the place of worship to joyn in common prayer together 9. To give licence for Marriage and to marry men and women the Parents not having power to do it without the consent of the Herbood 10. To spend the greatest part of their time in the Temple that he may be ready on all occasions 11. and last Injunction is upon paiâ— of Damnation to believe no other Law but that of Zertoost and not to add to it nor diminish it These are the precepts enjoyned the Herbood the Desâ—oore being the High Priest who commands all the rest is eâ—joyned not only these of the Laymon or Behedin these of the Herbood or Churchmen but 13 more of his own whiâ—h are these that follow 1. That he must never touch any of a strange Caft or Sect of what Religion soever nor any Layman of his own Religion but he must wash himself 2. That he must do all his own work in token of humility and for purity viz. Set his own herbs sow his own grain and dress his own meat unless he have a Wife to do it for him which is not usual 3. That he take Tyth or Tenth of the Behedin as Gods due and despose of it as he thâ—nks fit 4. That he must use no pomp or superfluity by either give all away in charity or bestow it in building of Temples 5. That his house be near the Church where he must retire himself living recluse in Prayer 6. That he must live purer then others both in frequent washings and dyet and also sequester himself from his Wife in time of her pollutions 7. That he be learned and knowing all the several Books of Zertoost as well the Astrological and Physical parts as the other 8. That he
sealed and delivered nine months since when my Lord this Paper whereon it is written hath not been in England above four months How do you know that said my Lord. The Jury-man replyed My Lord I am a Stationer or Paper-seller and to all Paper there are several Marks whereby we know and distinguish them As Pot Piller Crown Cardinals-Armes c. And my Lord this being such a sort of Paper was made by a young Man in France whose mark is here and none of it came over till within these four Months At this the Judge was satisfied all people wondred the Defendant rejoyced and the Plaintiff with his Swearers were forced to sneak out of the Court and could not be presently heard of I once was called to make a Will and the party lying speechless another there present dictated to me telling me that the Sick-man he was sure would consent to what he said which I believing proceeded and finished the Will but when I came to have him sign it I saw that he was dead well said the party that dictated if you will be ruled by me this Will shall stand and yet no body forswear themselves and said he to me you shall have a good reward for your consent whereupon saith he read the Will so I did well saith he you see the party doth not at all contradict what is here written and now he shall set his Hand and Seal thereto which he did by guiding the dead mans hand now saith he if you be questioned you may safely swear that you read the Will to him and he consented or at leastwise did not contradict and that you saw him with his own hand Sign Seal and deliver the same Well Sir said I if you are content I am and thereupon he gave me the promised reward I subscribed as Witness and left him who soon after by vertue of this Will possessed himself of the Estate I had seen this trick of putting a Dead mans hand to Writings done two or three times before and so this was no new thing and would not contradict any thing that was to turn to my profit I could tell you thousands of these Cheats and indeed as one said there is more mischief done with a dash of the Pen than with any thing else in the way of Knavery and Cheating Thus did our Scrivener conclude his Discourse and we calling for another Pint of Wine and a Faggot drank and warmed our selves and so for that time parted CHAP. XXII The Booksellers Prentice gives an account of his Masters first Tricks in Cheating by Printing Books that were other mens Copies AFter this Conference with the Scrivener I went home and as he told me my â—aying to my Master that I had been with him was sufficient so I found it for I was asked no more questions but went to Bed and there did I recollect to my self all that he had that evening told me and though I could not perfectly remember the several terms of Art he used as Judgment Execution Scire facias Statute Procuration and Continuation c. Yet I was sensible of their meaning and did very much wonder how any man could sleep being guilty of so many Crimes as he and his Master were yet I found that they slept the better or at leastwise fared the better by reason of their great wealth and then did I compare my forepast life to what I had heard of them and it was not worth mentioning so that from that time I had a more charitable opinion for my self than formerly and since I had so good success with my Scrivener I was resolved to be a little more intimate with the rest of the Society especially the Bookseller that I might know how he gained his Money and the next day I had my desire for meeting him abroad we went to an Ale-house and there did I discover my yesterdays actions with the Scrivener and thereby induced him to make me this following Discourse Truly Brother for so we called one another you have told me wonders though so admirable that I could not have thought so much crafty knavery could have been committed by any man breathing though I did believe that there was more than I understood having always heard that it was a dangerous thing to squeeze Wax and that Scriveners in general were cunning fellows but that any man out of nothing should by tricks and subtile contrivances gain to himself so great an Estate and yet not run into the compass of the Law but now I see the Proverbs verified Nothing venture nothing have and that a blot is no blot till it be hit and give a man luck and throw him into the Sea And although I have thought my Master a man cunning and crafty enough and did believe that he who deals in Books could not be out-witted yet I see that a piece of Parchment with a Seal to it is better than a great many Books nay then a whole Impression but that I may give you some satisfaction in what you desire I shall proceed in my Discourse and though I cannot tell you so many nor so profitable contrivances as you have related to me yet those of our calling deserve not to go much behind and we do our utmost good will to cheat though it turns not to so good an account My Master when I came to Prentice had but a small stock of Books and those were all in his Shop with which together with some Paper Parchment Pens and such like Stationers ware he made a shift to pick up an indifferent livelihood but he being of a reaching brain and seeing there were very rich people such as gained great Estates and lived bravely of the same Trade he made it his business to enquire into their way the most sorts of Books that we sold were Testaments Psalters Grammers Accidences and such Books as we call Priviledged ware and indeed were Printed for the Company in general and to be had of some of the Stock-keepers or Masters of the Company or at the Hall and though our profit in selling these sorts of Books was but small as not above two pence in the shilling yet it was a certaine commodity and the sale sure whereas other Books either of Divinity History c. were not so certain though more profitable as commonly bringing four pence in the shilling profit and thus did we continue buying Books of other Booksellers as we were asked for them and had occasion my Master commonly keeping to one man because he could there be trusted and furnished with any Book he wanted it fortuned that a new Book being Printed a small thing of about four or five sheets of paper it sold so well that my Master went often for them to his wonted place one time they had none of them left but desiring my Master to stay they would send for some which my Master did but the Messenger came back without any and brought word that he should
that the young man was now made half a year above full age Then did we call the Register who gave us a Certificate out of the book of the young mans age and this we carried with us as authentick and to be produced on all occasions I having done thus much for the young Man he could not deny me any thing I desired or requested so that the old sick Gentleman being still weaker and having his Money in a Trunk by his Beds-side I perswaded the younger Brother who had the key to take some out and lend to me which he did and that the old Man might not see the action I and my wife would stand by the beds-side before him so that by degrees I got 100 l. from thence and when the old man dyed though he left a considerable Estate yet was there not a penny of ready Money The elder brother knowing that he had foul-play shewed him began to be angry but to no purpose for he was forced to comply the younger brother having possession of that Trunk and the keys of all others where all the Writings were The old man being buried and much excess and prodigality shewed in the expenâ—es and costs thereof which was done principally at my invitement that I might gain repute by inviting as many friends as I pleased and also drain my two young men of their moneys the two brothers began to discourse the matter the elder brother demanding possession of the Estate and a divident to be made according to the Will of their Father and said he Brother your share must either be in my hands or else in the Chamber of London till you come of age How said I till he come of age Sure you mistake your self he is of sufficient age already and thereupon produced the Certificate which though it was very punctual yet the elder brother who was near ten years older then his brother and several others who were present knew to be false and this was the first breach between them which had like to have grown to a high flame for the elder Brother applying himself to the Register upon search of the Book found the fallacy and indeed the Register acknowledged the fact for which he and the younger brother and my self had like to have kissed New-gate by order of the Lord Mayor who being acquainted herewith was highly incensed against us all professing before the whole Court of Aldermen That this act was of high concernment and might be prejudicial to the whole City The elder brother was very cautious in prosecuting this affair being tender of his brothers credit and therefore endeavoured by fair means to bring hâ—s brother to a fair compliance which he effected in my absence and so wrought upon his Brother that the Trunk of Writings was sent for to a Tavern where they were then divided and the Trunk with part of the Writings delivered to him with promise to put a fair end to the rest of the difference When I came home and found the Trunk gone I stormed exceedingly and believing my self disappointed of my purpose found out the younger Brother and schoold'd him so foundly that he by my directions went back to his brothers house and by a false token regained the Trunk with the Writings which he had new sent home Thus was their difference enlarged and likely to be worse but the Elder Brother so moderately complyed with all mine and his demands though never so unreasonable that a division and partition was made not only of the Estate but some part of the Goods which being Plate and Linnen and Pewter were delivered into my custody and all the differences between the brothers being ended I demanded of the elder brother satisfaction for his fathers being at my house during the time of his sickness he little expected this for his father had given to me and mine an hundred pound but that was nothing I owed him so much and I must have more and so I told him I would have or mischeif him not giving any other reason but that he had enough and I would have part Thus did I hope to huff him out of his money but he though he was easie and good-natured which I accounted next of kin to a fool yet wholly refused me affirming that I had no reason for my demands for I had an hundred pound given me and that I had not been at any charge for his father had continually given my wife money to provide all necessaries and that some of that was still in my wives hands Though I knew what he alledged was true yet I still persisted in my demands and told him that so much I would have for the trouble of my house he offered to refer it to two men I long refused it but at the length consented and tampered with his Arbitrator promising him a reward if he would answer my expâ—ctations but he contrary to my expectation proved very honest and gave me but half what I asked nâ—ither would he have consented to that but that the elder brother himself advised him thereto out of a desiâ—â— of Peace This Award I was much troubled at and seeing I couâ—d get no more was contented with what I could get of him but the youner brother I flee'd somewhat more considerably getting out of them both in Legacy Mony and Goods to the value of three or four hundred pounds with which stock of money and a greater of credit reâ—orting of greater matters that were given me I again fell to trafficking and now dealt more considerably then ever for I went to publick Sales where great quantities of goods were sold by inch of Candle and bought thousand pounds worth at a time and so considerable was I lookt on that I was often employed by others to buy for them I bought several parcels and sorts of Goods which I fetcht away as I paid for them at last I bought several parcels of Goods to a great value and fetcht away most of them which I sold to profit but one parcel of 500 l. being a failing and decaying Commodity I lest in their hands so long that it was much damaged and unwilling and indeed unable to pay for them was Arested and clapt up into a prison where I was forc'd to lie a great while till I had spent and consumed most of what I had and at length they finding there was nothing to be got by me released me I releasing my bargain which I willingly did but soon after repented it for the price of that Commodity rising it soon amounted to great profit and whereas I should have lost I now might have gained as they did by the sale of it near 200 l. CHAP. XXX The Drugster having failâ—d in London goes to live in the Country where by counterfeiting a sickness and making a Will he gets into Credit and borrowing Money falls again to Trading THis Misfortune of my Imprisonment did sensibly afflict me especially when I understood that