the Sâ—mmers pride and the earths bravery and from them both concâ—uâ—ed the great felicity of a Country life as if the one would never fade and the other always endure resolving in my thoughts never to see London again being ravished with the delights of the verdant fields and enamour'd on the beauties of the Spring accounting none truly happy but he who enjoyed the felicities of a Country life Is he addicted to study Heaven is the Library the Sun Moon and Stars his books to teach him Astronomy that great volume his Eâ—hâ—merides out of which he may Calculate predictions of times to follow yea in the very clouds are written lessons of Divinity for him to instruâ—t him in wiâ—dom the turning over their leaves teach him the variation of seasons and how to dispose his business for all weathers who therefore would not consume his youth in such delightful studies that have power in them to keep off old age longer than it would or when old age doth come is able to give it the lively-hood and vigour of youth who would not rather sit at the foot of a hill tending a flock of sheep than at the helm of Authority controuling the stuborn and unruly mulâ—itude Better it is in the solitary woods and in the wide fields to be a man among Beasts than in the midst of a peopled City to be a beast amongst men As I was thus strucken into admiration of these beauties and wholly taken up in contemplation of the felicities of a retired life being already in my thoughts an absolute Country-man I being now some miles distant from the Metropolitan City of our fruitful Albion on a sudden the welkin began to roar and send forth terrible peals of thunder the serene Sky was over shadowed and Phoebus hid his head behind a cloud the Heavens began first to weep small tears afterwards to pour them in full Rivolets upon the thirsty earth I had then no Pent-house to walk under to keep me from the rain nor was there a red lattice at every nuke and corner as at London to give me entertaâ—nment the spreading boughs of the sturdy oak were too feeble to defend me from being wet I looked like a drencht Mouse having never a dry thred on me what to do I knew not money I had but little friends none a stranger both to the place and people unexperienced in the world as iâ— the way where I travelled the consideration of those things made me add more moysture to the earth by the salt tears that trickled from my eyes to stand still I thought was in vain so forwards I went wet without and dry within sorrow they say causeth drowth at length I spy'd by a corner of a Wood a little thatcht Cottage thither I went and found by an old rotten stick that darted out of it in imitation of a Sign-post that it was an Ale-house this somethâ—ng revived my drooping pirits so in I went to dry my out-side and wet my in-side where I found a good fire and store of company of both Sexes merrily trouling the boul about singing of Catches and smoaking Tobacco no sooner was I entered but one of them drank to me a full cup so dovvn I sat amongst them being all alike free Citizens of the vvide World the Strong Ale soon vvashed avvay all sorrovv from my heart and novv that I had a vvarm fire to sit by and a house over my head I bid a fig for all foul Weather CHAP. IX He lighteth on a company of Canting Beggars and is stalled one of their Society is married to a Doxy with the manner of their Wedding the orders and Degrees of the Canting Beggars Men and Women with their several quallities and manner of life THis company that I thus hapned into vvas a Crew of Canting Beggars Pilgrims of the vast earth the off-spring of Cain vagabonds and wanderers over the whole World fit Companions for such who made a trade for Idleness and Roguery and these were at this time fit companions for me who seeing the merry life they led resolved to make one of their company whereupon after I had a little more ingratiated my self amongst them and taken two or three cups more of Rum-booz I imparted my inventions to one of the chief of them telling him that I was a Prentice who had a curst Master whose cruelties had caused me to run away from him and that what ever fortune might betide me yet should not the most necessitous condition I could be plunged into ever make me to return to him again and therefore if I might be admitted into their society I should faithfully observe aâ—d perform what rules and orders were imposed upon me He very much applauded me for my resolutions telling me that to be a Beggar was to be a brave man since it was now in fashion for brave men to beg Do not we said he come all into the World like arrant Beggars without a rag upon us and do not we all go out of the World like Beggars without a rag upon us and do not we all go out of the World like Beggars without any thing saving only an old sheet to cover us shall we then be ashamed to walk up and down in the World like Beggars with old Blankets pin'd about us no no that were a shame to us indeed have we not the whole Kingdom to walk at our pleasure are we afraid of the approach of Qâ—arter day do we walk in fear of Bailiffs Serjeants and â—atch poles who ever knew an arrant Beggar arrested for debt is not our meat drest in every mans Kitchen does not every mans Cellar afford â—s beer and the best mens purses keep a penny for us to spend Having by these words as he thought fully fixed me in love with begging he then acquainted the Company with my desires who were all of them very joyful thereof being as glad to add one to their society as a Turk is to gain a Proselite to Mahomet The first question that they asked me was if I had any Lourâ— in my Bung I stared on them not knowing what they meant till at last one told me it was mony in my purâ—e I told them I had but eighteen pence which I freely gave them this by a general vote was condemned to be spent in Bouse for my initiation Then they commanded me to kneel down which being done one of the chief of them took a Gage of Bowse which is a quart of drink and poureâ— the same on my head saying I do by vertue of this Soveraign Liquor stall thâ—e to the Rogue and make thee a free Denizon of our ragged Regiment so that henceforth it shall be lawful for thee to Cant and to carry a Doxy or Mort along with thee only observing these rules First that thou art not to wander up and down all Countries but to keep only to that Quarter which is allotted to thee and secondly thou art to give way to any
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
who carried the money to the aâ—â—licted and distressed Damoysels returned and with him the Ladies very glad of their safe â—eâ—urn and very thankful were they not only to their companions who sent it but also to me of whom she said she procured it and now we â—ll thought of removing to London but one night more we lay at oâ—r old quarters where I had the greatest frolick I was ever guilty of for that night I kist with all three of the women and pleased them round by giving each of them a tryal of my skill Whaâ— now could I desire to enjoy further I thought my self to be as brave a fellow as the great Turk in his Seraglio he having but his choice of Women which I now enjoyed to my fâ—ll content But morning coming we took leave of our Hostess and the Trooper and all four taking Coach soon came to London where I took up my Quarters with my three Damsels who made very much of me and indeed they were the hoâ—estest Wenches and I had the best frolick that I ever had in my life but in time I was weary of this life for what man can last out always And I finding my pocket begin to shrink bethought me that it was fit to leave off in time for all my Silver was gone and ten pound of my twenty pound in Gold but I selling my Watch and Rings raised ten pound more with this stock of twenty pound I was resolved to retire and fit my self for some employment My three Ladies never offered to return me the five pound I had lent them neither indeed could I handsomely expect it for they had been very liberal in their expences and had declined all other company to accommodate me They heard of their three Gentlemen who had trapanâ—d them in the Country and so wisely plaid their Cards that they gained all their money again I assâ—sting them and pretending the man of the house had assigned the money to me I scorned to pocket any of it but gave it amongst them and so being resolved to take another course of life I retired my self from them and to the end that I might be fitted for an employment I hired one who was well known therein to teach me to write more perfectly than I could formerly as also Arithmetick I likevvise hired several Books of a Stationer for vvhich I gave him so much per week These being chiefly Knight-Errantry and Romances I took much pleasure therein I had a mind to diversion and went to visit my Damoyselles and thus did I live the pleasantest life in the World but I had so much reason as to think that things vvould not last long as they vvere and I had no inclination to stealing more vertuous thoughts had now possessed me and therefore a Trade being the only thing that vvould maintain me I enquired for one and setled my self as you shall hear in the next Chapter CHAP. XI He being new come to London puts himself Prentice to a Taylor he gets acquaintance with Prentices of all sorts is with them at their Tavern-frollicks he is employed by a Scrivener to make Cloaths for a Wench he goes with him to her and returning the Scrivener promises him an account of that trade the Scrivener recounts the Waggeries he committed the first three years of his Apprenticeship and his Masters first cheats by counterfeiting a Seal BEing now tome to London I was resolved not to be idle but settle my self to some one Trade that I might be able to get a living and having already had tryal of several at fitst a Barber-Surgeon then a Tapster a Cook a Lock smith Taylor Baker and Plaisterer and being still forced for some reason or other to leave them all did now resolve to fix upon one that should do my business and vvhereby I might at all times and in all plaees be able to live by my hands for Lands I had none I considered of all the Trades I had already been a practitioner in and many others none suited so vvell vvith my humour as that of a Taylor wherefore I sought for several Masters but they vvere all unvvilling to take me for less than seven years it being the custom of London that none can be bound for less time nor be made a Free-man till they have served so long I vvas unwilling to bind my self on those terms knowing my temper was variable and did believe I should not hold out to serve such a term but after several enquiries and tryals I did light upon a Master who was willing to take me for five years only this I perswaded him to do in regard I already had a good hand in working and being industrious in my employment so that though I was bound for seven years yet I had a Writing under my Masters hand that the last two years I should dispose of my self as I pleased and yet he could make me a Free-man at seven years end My Master was not only a Taylor but kept a Brokers Shop wherein he sold all sorts of Cloaths new and old He lived in one of the prineipallest Streets of the City and was in good esteem with his Neighbours who were all persons of some quality not of the meaner sort but substantial Trades-men as Goldsmiths Grocers Drugsters Scriveners Stationers c and I being now well fitted with Cloaths and having mâ— pockets pretty well lined with money which I had still kept by me was a fit and welcome Companion to the best sort of Apprentices in whose society I did soon insinuate my self and having money to spend equal with the best I came acquainted with a whole Gang of such Blades that all my former knowledge was nothing in comparison to vvhat I soon experimented from them for their Masters being of the vvealthiest sort of Citizens and keeping Country-houses at Newington Hackney Stepney c. they often had opportunity in their absence to meet and keep their Club or general Rendezvous vvhich vvas commonly every other night at one of the Taverns near adjoyning and my Master vvho did well enough understand that I was frequently abroad behold my face all smearen my cloaths set full with patches upon the whole cloth a red clout upon my leg and supporting my body with a staff as if I had been a meer cripple Many a mile we rambled yet keeping still in our own station for fear of the Vpright-man but my counterfeit Plea for begging was at last discovered and to all my dainties I had whipping chear added for going one day not far off from a Farm house the stragling Hens invited me to have a throw at them with my staff and having struck one of them I had forgotten my lameness but very nimbly ran and took her up putting her under my pacht Coat where I had a bag sewed in that was a receptacle for all stollen goods It chanced that the Farmer himself was then on the other side of the hedge who undiscover'd
likewise continued with his Hostess and only my Purse paid for all but indeed we lived sparingly enough the Trooper being one of the honestest Travellers that I ever met with The Coach-man who carried the money to the afflicted and distressed Damoyselles returned and with him the Ladies very glad of their safe return and very thankful were they not only to their companions who sâ—nt it but also to me of whom she said she procured it and now we all thought of removing to London but one night more we lay at our old quarters where I had the greatest frollick I was ever guilty of for that Night I kist with all three of the Women and pleased them round by giving each of them a tryal of my skill What now could I desire to enjoy further I thought my self to be as brave a â—ellow as the great Turk in his Seraglio he having but his choice of Women which I now enjoyed to my full content But morning coming we took leave of our Hostess and the Trooper and all four taking Coach soon came to London where I took up my Quarters with my three Damosels who made very much of me and indeed they were the honestest Wenches and I had the best Frollick that I ever had in my life but in time I was weary of this life for what Man can last out always And I finding my Pocket begin to shrink bethought me that it was fit to leave off in time for all my Silver was gone and ten pound of my twenty pound in Gold but I selling my Watch and Rings raised ten pound more with this stock of Twenty pound I was resolved to retire and fit my self for some employment My three Ladies never offered to return me my five pounds I had lent them neither indeed could I handsomely expect it for they had been very liberal in their expences and had declined all other company to accommodate me They heard of their three Gentlemen who had trapan'd them in the Countrey and so wisely plaid their Cards that they gained all their money again I assisting them pretending the man of the House had assigned the money to me I scorned to Pocket any of it but gave it amongst them and so being resolved to take another course of life I retired my self from them and to the end that I might be fitted for an employment I hired one who was well known therein to teach me to write more perfectly than I could formerly as also Arithmetick I likewise hired several Books of a Stationer for which I gave him so much per week they being chiefly Knight Errantry and Romances I took much pleasure therein I had a mind to diversion and went to visit my Damoyselles and thus did I live the pleasantest life in the world but I had so much reason as to think that things would nor last long as they were and I had no inclination to stealing more virtuous thoughts had now possessed me and therefore a Trade being the only thing that would maintain me I enquired for one and setled my self as you shall hear in the next Chapter The Extravagant Prentices with their Lasses at a Taverne Frollick CHAP. XVIII He being now come to London puts himself Prentice to a Taylor he gets acquaintance with Prentices of all sorts is with them at their Tavern-frollicks he is employed by a Scrivener to make Cloaths for a Wench he goes with them to her and returning promises him an account of that Trade BEing now come to London I was resolved not to be idle but settle my self to some one Trade that I might be able to get a living and having already had tryal of several at first a Barber-Surgeon then a Tapster a Cook a Lock smith Taylor Baker and Plaisterer and being still forced for some reason or other to leave them all did now resolve to fix upon one that should do my business and whereby I might at all times and in all places be able to live by my hands for Lands I had none I considered of all the Trades I had already been a practitioner in and many others none suited so well with my humour as that of a Taylor wherefore I sought for several Masters but they were all unwilling to take me for less than seven years it being the custom of London that none can be bound for less time nor be made a Free-man till they have served so long I was unwilling to bind my self on those tearms knowing my temper was variable and did believe I should not hold out to serve such a tearm but after several enquiries and tryals I did light upon a Master who was willing to take me for five years only this I perswaded him to do in regard I already had agood hand in working and being industrious in my imployment so that though I was bound for seven years yet I had a Writing under my Masters hand that the last two years I should dispose of my self as I pleased and yet he could make me a Free-man at seven years end My Master was not only a Taylor but kept a Brokers shop wherein he sold all sorts of Cloaths new and old He lived in one of the principallest Streets in the City and was in good esteem with his Neighbours who were all persons of some quality not of the meaner sort but substantial Trades-men as Gold-smiths Grocers Drugsters Scriveners Stationers c. and I being now well fitted with Cloaths and having my Pockets pretty well lined with money which I had kept by me was a fit and welcome Companion to the best sort of Apprentices in whose Society I did soon insinuate my self and having money to spend equal with the best I came acquainted with a whole Gang of such Blades that all my former knowledge was nothing in comparison to what I soon experimented from them for their Masters being of the wealthiest sort of Citizens and keeping Countrey-houses at Newington Hackney Stepney c. they often had opportunity in their absence to meet and keep their Club or general Randezvous which was commonly every other night at one of the Taverns near adjoyning and my Master who did well enough understand that I was frequently abroad and in what company I spent my time did not in the least oppose or contradict me therein for I soon found that these young Jovial Blades though Apprentices yet they were my Masters best Customers for there was none of them but had a Sute or two of Cloaths A la mode which commonly lay at our house which they put on when they had any Frollick out of Town either at Christmas Easter or Whitsontide or at any other time when they pretending some urgent occasions would give their Masters the slip Thus was I one of the Gang and had liberty to be with them so often as I pleased by the connivance of my Master whose profit consisted in my acquaintance with them for I soon brought him some new Customers out
discourse being somâ—â—hat long I shall for the present end and prosecute the rest in the following Chapter CHAP. XXIII He proceeds in the Discovery of his Masters ways in cheating in preferring some Copies and other ways of getting Copies MY Master having now had some experience in this way of Printing was resolved to play above board and get some Copy or Copies to Print that he might own which in short time he did and glad was he to see his name in Print supposing himself now to be somebody but these things did him but little good and sold but easily he not having the way of preferring books and sending them to some Country Chapmen and the rest of the booksellers who endeavour to crush any beginner and will not sell his books unless they may have them at their own rate would not sell any of them for him and besides now he gave Money for his Copies the other costing him nothing and though a book be never so good they will not sell with some men for the others will undervalue and spoil it as for example If my Master had Printed at that time the best book of Chirurgery Husbandry Cookery or the like in the World and though the book had been famous enough so that every one desired it and if asked at any booksellers shop for it they would have said to their customers Truly Sir There is such a book but in regard it is a foolliâ—h idle thing and of no weight I have not any of them I will not trouble my shop with them but Sir here is another of the same Subject that is much better and in great esteem with ingenious and knowing men If the Customer replies be would have only that book and no other for that it was recommended to him for an ingenious well-writ piece then will he reply Truly Sir I never heard any of your judgment before till now I was never asked for them but sinâ—e you speak so well of it I will procure you one and then it may be for all this Discourse he will shew you one as if left by chance or else send to his Neighbour-bookseller for one Thus will he disparage other mens books and prize his own and many times put off some of his own the buyer being so civil as to believe him and this is a general Maxime That they will not offer or prefer a book of any mans printing except their own unless they have it either in exchange or at a low rate and this is the cause that their is some books considerable and good as any in England that did not sell at first for little better than wast Paper till some of the Grand ones of the Company get them all into their hands and then they sell for three times the price they did But to leave this Discourse and proceed my Master having now printed two or three things did look upon himself as some body and though he had not such good success in his last undertakings as before yet he made a shift to get what they cost him for paper and print and had many of them still by him to sell when he would or exchange but he having but two or three sorts of books could not do much good upon that he seeing this observing what books sold best it being at the beginning of these late Wars found that factious Sermons and such like things would do the business he thereupon bestirs himself and gets acquainied with most of the factious Priests about Town by often hearing them and frequenting their Companies and having learned to write short-hand took notes of their Sermons which he Collected together and now and then he would get them to revise one of them and print it by this means spending much time and mony amongst them he grew very intimate and was become the general publisher of most of their Sermons and Controversies This was that which brought him great gain in a short time he could vie with the best what he sold not for mony he exchanged for books and now he could command any book in all the Company without mony upon account as is the Custome His Shop being well furnished he gets a Ware House where he bestowed his books in quires and being thus furnished he was first spoken to by some Country booksellers and then writ to by them and others for several books so that any thing that he printed he could sell off well enongh for having good hap to print some very good selling books they helped away the other that were not so good and still were thrust into the parcel amongst the rest and now having some good Authors he would not accept of every one and as he formerly had fought for and courted Authors to write books for him now they knowing his way of preferring and selling of books followed and courted him to print their books If a stranger came with a Copy to him though never so good he had books enough already but however if they would give him so much mony he would do it and they should have two or three or six books for themselves and friends many a one did he thus perswade out of their money being desirous to be in Print If he had a desire to have any thing writ in History Poetry or any other Science or Faculty he had his several Authors who for a glass of Wine and now and then a meals Meat and half a Crown were his humble servants having no other hire but that and six or twelve of their books which they presented to friends or persons of Quality nay and when they have had success if they wanted any more books they must pay for them further I have known some of our Trade that when the poor Author hath written a book and being acquainted with some Person or Persons of Quality whereto he Dedicates and presents it the Book-seller will go snips and have half shares of what is so given him Mâ— Master being now gotten to the height of his Trade was soon called to be one of the Livery of his Company which though it be somewhat chargeable at first yet it soon brings in profit there being many conveniencies therein for they have Liberty to put a sum of money into the publick Stock and so great is their profit that they have seldom less than twenty per cent and then when they come to be Stock-keeper or Warden they have the disposing of the Stock-books such as are Testaments Psalters c. and putting them out to print they often print so many over numbers that shall serve them as long as they live In particular there is no Trade that I ever heard of that gets so much by their Commodity for whatever we print if it sells we get eight pence in the shilling and for those that deal with Country Chapmen they put off the bad well enough at one time or at another and if they are very bad then
a new Title is printed as if it were a new book and what with this and changing they march off in time There was one Preacher in London that my Master was much respective to for he had gained much money by Printing several of his Books and though my Master in outward appearance seems a Saint yet he hath his freaks and will be merry with his friends and be prophane enough One Sunday my Master having been rambling in the fields entred the City in the Afternoon just as Sermon was done and seeing this Parson going before him he stept forwards and overtaking him salutes him thus Sir I am glad to see you so well indeed Sir you have this day taken a great deal of pains and we are all beholding to you for your Soul-saving Sermon how say you said the Parson what do you mean Why Sir I thank you for your Sermon you Preached this Afternoon Nay now Sir said the Parson I see you are mistaken for I have not Preached this day my Master hearing this was wonderfully surprized not knowing what to say but left the Parson and came home discontented at his Error We have several Country-Chapmen some whereof owed my Master considerable sums of mony he took occasion to go into the Country and to be sure he would make it worth his Journey for at every considerable Town he would buy some books and sell them at the next or send them up to London and sometimes whole Libraries and he did take order with all his Chapmen to acquaint him with all Libraries or parcels of books that were to be sold which if worth the buying he would have He would also frequent the Schools and by drinking with the School-masters and discoursing of books and learned men he would get their custome to serve them with School books There was one famous Country-Parson whom he much desired to be acquainted with and to him he came telling him he was troubled in mind and desired him to satisfie him in a case of Conscience the which he did and then for his satisfaction and to oblige him he prayed and courted him to see him when he came to London the which he did and all this was to get the Printing of his books If a Customer comes into our Shop to buy a book he hath such ways of preferring and recommending of it that they seldom go and not buy for he will open the book and if it be Divinity shew them one place or another out of which he will preach to them and tell them that very saying or discourse is worth all the money in the world and if they do not like it when they have read it over he will take it again and so many of our Trade will promise but you shall hardly ever get your money again you may by chance get them to exchange it for some other book which they will the more readily do if there be money stirring in the case My Master having had a book written for him by a Poet the Author not having the wit to make his bargain and know what he should have before hand when he had finished it desired payment for his pains Nay said my Master you ought rather to pay me for Printing of it and making you famous in Print Well then said the Author if you will not give me money I hope you will give me some books How said my Master give you books what will you have me forswear my Trade and be a book-giver I am a book-seller and to you I will sell them as soon as to another if you will give me money paper and Print costs money and this was all the Author could have for his pains My Master is now one of the Grandees of the Company and that besides the ordinary way gets him something Not long since he and others went a searching and finding an Impression of unlicensed books seized them but instead of suppressing and turning them to wast paper they divided the greatest part of them amongst themselves and immediately my Master sent some of them away to all his Chapmen and the rest we sold in the Shop It so fell out lately that a book being to be Printed my Master repaired to the Author to get the Copy but another of the same Trade had been there before to whom it was in part promised but however out of respect to my Master the other being sent for it was agreed that they should have the Printing of it between them whereupon one Printer was employed by them both to do the work My Master soon after sent for the Printer and tells him You must do me a kindness Yes Sir said the Printer It is this said my Master I am to give away to the Author some books wherefore I would have you to Print 200 for me above the number and do not tell my Partner and I will pay you Yes said the Printer and so he did and was paid for them accordingly But the Printer seeing the knavery of his Imployers for the other had been with him and engaged him to Print the same number of 200 over pretending some private use he had for them he likewise Printed 400 over for his own use and publickly sold them and neither of them could or would complain of him to the other because they knew themselves guilty of the same crime One of the greatest pieces of profit the whole Company hath is the Printing of Almanacks for by that I believe they clear above 1000 l. per annum but a knavish Printer lately outwitted them for he Printed a great number of Almanacks and though he Printed but two sorts yet they served for all the other sorts only altering the Title page at the beginning and the last sheet which we call the Prog or Prognostication and these Almanacks he affording cheaper than ordinary as indeed well he might he sold off a good number of them which was to his gain and their great hindrance but he is lately discovered and how they will deal with him I know not In the late times of Liberty when every one Printed what they pleased if one Bookseller Printed a book that sold another would get it Printed in a lesser Character and so the Book being less in bulk though the same in matter would sell it for a great deal less price and so undersel one another and of late there hath been hardly a good book but it is Epitomized and for the most part spoiled only for a little gain so that few books that are good are now printed only Collections and patchâ—s out of several Books and Booksellers employing the meaner sort of Authors in spoiling anothers Copies by such Epitomies A young man being lately to set up was a suiter to my Master to speak to the Company to lend him 5 l. for a certain time without interest as is customary for there are several sums of money left the Company so to be disposed of for the
only much money by this means but also the esteem of a cunning subtile fellow and was employed in many such affairs and sometimes in Law-suits I remember once I came into Company with a very fâ—ir Lady who having an old cross-grain'd fellow to her Husband had not only lived from him some time but was so foolish as to be married to another person who was a Gentleman of much worth and merit The Ladies old Husband understanding it and more out of Covetousness of gaining money which he believed the Gentleman would on this occasion part from then any love he bore his Wife hunted them out from one place to another and the young Gentleman refusing to comply with the old Knights desires he was resolved now to prosecute her for Life This Story was told me by the Gentleman himself and the Lady assured me of the truth of the matter imploring my assistance Well Madam said I come be ruled by me and I will disapoint your old Husband and you shall laugh at him Having considered the matter I ordered her to go next day into the Country above 100 miles from London and there to expect me and obey my further orders this she did and I soon following her and the Assizes beginning the next day I got a Warrant to apprehend and bring her before the Bench she came and I charged her with having two Husbands she denying and I alledging the matter she was committed and an Indictment brought in but when she was to be try'd I was not to be found nor any person else to prosecute her so that she was quit by proclamation A Copy of this Process I took out of the Court and so she and I came to London to the Gentleman her friend who gladly welcomed us and now they live together in spight of the old Knight who attempted to trouble them found it in vain for she could not be tryed for one fact twice This feat did I meerly out of my own apprehension and fancy and it succeeding according to my wishes I had a considerable reward for my pains CHAP. XXIX The Drugster sets two Persons his wives Brothers-in-Law at variance he gets Money out of them both proceeds in Tâ—ading but adventuring too much cannot pay his Debts and is therefore clapt up in Prison I Drave this rambling Trade for a long time and gained enough by it but I was so prodigal in my expences both at home and abroad that I might be counted some body and sometimes loosing considerable sums at gaming that I began to go behind hand and oftentimes when I pretended to go to Gravesâ—nd the Downs or other places to buy some Drugs or other Merchandise aboard a Ship I went not far from London to a brave handsome Lass that I kept for my private recreation For though I had a wife and she indifferent handsome yet was she cold in her embraces and still talking of the cares of the World and propounding ways to get Moneys But my private Lady was quite different being wholly composed of Love and sweetness professing nothing more dear to her then my Society and we had no other discourse but pleasure and enjoyments in the greatest height we could imagine This though it were pleasant was very chargeable to keep such a Commodity for my own private use so that I gained not much at the years end and what I got over the Devils back I spent under his belly as the Proverb goes Wherefore my wife called on me to stay at home and apply my self to some setled way but that I could not do for my Stock was grown low and my spending as high as ever My Wife had a Father-in-Law who was a Citizen and a monyed man him I got into favour with and by my free entertainment of him won him to me for he having left off trading in London lived some miles off and coming to London would often visit me where I still welcomed him and attended him abroad when he went to receive Rents or any Moneys and assisted him in all such things that I could with much diligence My stock being very low I borrowed Moneys of him to trade with and was very Punctual in my payment so that he put so much confidence in me as to lend me 100 l. and more I might have had had I requested it as he and his wife who was my wives Mother often visited me at my house so at convenient times I was a guest at theirs in the Country where I associated my self with the best Gentlâ—men of the place wining upon the affections of all by my facetious and pleasant converse I had hopes of raising my fortunes by my wives Mother who I hoped would out-live her husband and then at her death be able and willing to give me good part of her estate but it fell out otherwise for she fell Sick and died before him but it was but good luck to be there and my wife being still near her she gave her some Rings and other things that were considerable The old man my Father-in-Law being desirous to bury his wife at London according to her request went up with us and being somewat sick before so soon as his wife was buried was so surprized with a distemper that he took his bed and after ten weeks sickness dyed at my house during his sickness I be thought my self of what advantage I might make it and endeavoured to please him in all I might but he having two Sons I could not expect much of the estate but was resolved by hook or by crook to have a considerable share and to that end I knew no better way then to divide the two Brothers and put them at difference The eldest was a married man and though of an easie temper yet I knew was too honest to be wrought on to do any unhansome action the youngest being a young bluff fellow was apt to believe any thing I should perswade him to wherefore at first I possest him with a jealousie against his brother that he would defraud him of his share of the estate if he did not take heed and follow my directions which if he did I would put him into a way to command his elder brother in every thing The young man being of a suspicious nature easily believed me and then I particularly advised him that the first thing he ought to do was to get the Register of his age altered for if his father should now dye and he not truly being twenty years of age could not expect to have the possession of any part of the Estate unless he were one and twenty Wherefore to the house of the Parish Register we went and for the spending of one shilling and five shillings in Money we had the Register book delivered to us where I being well skilled in counterfeiting and imitating of hands soon alter'd the Register putting his age out in one place and writing it in another place two years before so