him with a curse a plague take all such Kindred in brief the Major is carried to Prison wihout making restitution of any money having little or noâ—e about him Where he had not been above ten days but he makes love to the Marshalls only Daughter with some success so much as gave him admittance and oppertunity to make his pitied Passion known he had a familiar acquaintance with the Daughter of the Great Earl of Twomond To whom he takes the liberty to signify by Letter the State of his condition as a Prisoner without hopes of redemption desiring her Ladiship with much earnestness to continue still his Friend to whom he had a very humble request Which was that She would command her Chaplen to come to the Prison and hear his Confession this request He hoped She would not deny him it being the great concern of his Soul The Lady did so The Chaplen puts on his Disguise and came to the Prison where he was carried to a private Room The dooâ— being shut close he begins to tell the Major by whose command he came and desir'd him to consider how he and all those of his Function were persecuted and that he could not stay long and doubted not but he was prepared § Sir says the Major I know it very well and shall not keep you long my Confession is but short I know what you have said to be very true that you are a Priest my Confession is that I want money which you can and must supply before you leave this pIace or I will Inform against you The Chaplen was so startled at this Confession knew not what defence â—o make finding all his arguments fruitless at last was forced to give the Major all the money he had being twenty Broad Pieces and his Bond for thirty more to be paid at the day agreed upon The Chaplen goes home to his Lady like a distracted man to whom he tells what befel him Imputeing the blame of his misfortune to her Ladiship at whose Intreaty and Command he undertook that unfortunate Journey § The Lady very much troubled conceiving her Self the absolute occasion of this Disaster knew no way to repair this injury but by paying the Twenty Pounds and ingageing for the Thirty which She immediately did During the time of the Majors Imprisonment there chanced to come into England one Sutton commonly called Duke of Northumberland the pretended Heir of the Lord Dudley of Dudley-Castle who then had a Relation in Town who he often visited at his house where he was sometimes entertained with Stories of Major Clancie with which the Duke was so taken that he acquainted the French Ambassador with whereupon this Gentleman and Friend to the Duke was invited by the Ambassador to Dinner where he was desired to satisfie that Company with some account of Major Clancies Life of whom the Ambassador had heard so much which the Gentleman did with so much satisfaction seemingly to all the Company more especially the Ambassador's Secretary who longed for nothing so much as the sight of this Major that was the Author of all this Discourse so that when Dinner was done the Secretary takes one of his Matters Coaches and some Footmen along and having found after some inquiry where the Majors Habitation was makes him a Visit to the Marshals House where he was Prisoner The Major receives him with all the kindnesses that could be and entertained him so plentifully that the Secretary could not chuse but wonder to see with what Decent order he was served upon the suddain as if he had expected him and a preparation made purposely for his Reception Yet there could nothing be so satisfactory as the freedom of Discourse with which the Secretary was so taken that he resolved to come often to see him with intentention to do him Service Thus they entertained each other for that Afternoon and at parting used so much Courtship and Ceremonies as made the Marshal believe there must be a great deal of Intimacy and Friendship between them § The Secretary is no sooner gone but the Major who seldome or never wanted wherewithal to put a good Gloss upon an ill Cause and resolving to make some Use of this Visit puts himself into the Posture of the most unfortunate Creature in the World and Acted that part so well that all the People there present were very much concerned though they knew nothing of the Cause chiefly the Master of the House who with a great deal of Earnestness prest to know the occasion of this so great and suddain a Change To which the Major makes Answer thus I know you cannot but wonder at me that am indeed the wonder of the World for misfortune so misfortunate that if you knew my Condition I doubt you would not Relieve me though your Charity might point you to things of greater difficulty Yet for your satisfaction I will not conceal from your Knowledg the true State of my Case When I was in France last I did Article with the King that I would bring hIm out of Ireland a Regiment consisting of two thousand Men. On this depended my Fortune now crost by this cursed Imprisonment The French Ambassador not knowing any thing of my Restraint and much wondering why I did not go with my Capitulation sends his chief Secretary to know the Reason why I came not at him that he might move all Objections either with the Protector or else-where that gave intterruption to this Design Now you know the cause of my Distraction and Trouble then judg if I have not reason to be so to see the neck of my hopes broke by this restraint where I cannot promise my self so much Liberty as would give me time to finish my Business with the French Ambassador § All that heard him could not choose but be concerned for him especially his Mistress the Jailors only Daughter who now made Use of her Interest with her Father alledging such Reasons and Arguments of pitty in behalf of the Major whole future Happiness depended wholly upon this so considerable Imployment as the Command of so many Men by which it was not unlikely but he might in little time be enabled to procure his Liberty and make large Returns for the Favour should be conferr'd upon him and what pitty it was that a Person of that Honour and Quality should be thus restrained now in his Distress The Father considering with great Attention the words of his dear Child with how much reason spoke and she was concerned tells her how sorry he was that it lay not in his power to redeem and free him from all his trouble being a person for whom he ever had a very great Respect and whose generous and free good Nature was well known to him seeing the Ambassadors Secretary come to him in such an Equipage made him believe all to be very true whereupon he calls the Major to him to acquaint him with what the Daughter had said and how heartily
her into the Room where the Major was who is hugely pleased that fortune is so good to light upon such a place and in the dispose of so worthy a couple during their Discourse the Banquet was brought up and set on the Table where there was nothing wanting that could be thought requisite for such an entertainment The Major asked the Marchant if he knew Sir William Rider the Marchant told him that he knew Sir William Rider to be a very worthy honest Man and very Rich. The Major likewise asked him if he knew Sir Williams Factor in such a Country The Marchant told him he did The Major again asked him if he knew the Factors hand-writing To which the Marchant replied very well and that he had been long acquainted with it having many times accasion of Correspondencie whereupon the Major draws out of his Pocket a Bill of Exchange upon Sir William Rider from his â—actor with a Letter of credence for five hundred pounds which the Marchant no sooner saw but he assured him it was as good mony as any he had about him and that it would be paid as soon as called for why then says the Major pray keep the Bill of Exchange and the Letter and let me have a hundred pieces for my pocket mony till there is occasion for the rest which the Marchant immediately brought him and told him he should command more at his Pleasure The Major was very well pleased to see himself have this success in all his undertakings as also with his Entertainment his Lodgings his Landlord and every thing else as if conspiring to his satisfaction but much more Mistress of the House whole Conversation was very delightful to him and the meekness of her Disposition so taking being as well stored with the Beauty of the Mind as the Face and the Comliness of her Body that he makes it his whole Business and Study to Court her to a good Opinion of him which in the end came to be more than ordinary in so much that before the expiration of many Months the Husband began to take notice of their too much familiarity and their too often meeting which he could not well digest although he could find no room for a thought that could warrant the least suspition of ill in 〈◊〉 whose Vertue he believed to be proof enough against all Temptations yet being a little dissatisfied he begins to make some inquiry into the life of Major Clancie which by the relation of those more converâ—ant with the Major he finds him to be the most vicious dishonest villainous Cheat in the World which incenses the Marchant and kindles such a Flame of jealousy in him that he is at his Wits end and in such disorder that he knows not what he had best to do § To pocket up his apprehended injury he is not able to revenge it he knows not which way but still inquiring in all Companies as well in Coffe-houses as Taverns after the Major where he never meets any that affords him a good word but the sormer Charecter confirm'd by all men The Marchant has only his own thoughts to consult in this great affair which indeed takes him wholly off from the consideration of all other concerns he is by chance inform'd of a private Lodging the Major frequents when he separates himself from company where he and Mr. Berningham a Comrade of his lie together the Marchant at his hours of loneliness contriving some way to repair part of his losses by the Major first for the use of his house since the Majors coming thither then for the several sums of money from time to time with which he supplied him but chiefly for that irreparable injury which he dares scarce trust his own most secret thoughts with but something he must do or not live At last he takes a resolution to revenge himself upon the Major which he conceives he may do with the more ease having found out his private Lodging where he intends to lay hold of him by the rough hands of six Baliffs appointed and hired for that purpose But first he will â—ound how his Wife is inclined and how she will relish this design of his which he does without delay finding her in her Chamber alone at her needle-work tells her what had been told him by many of the wickedness of Major Clancie who he fears will make them smart if some timely course be not taken to prevent it he reckons up what money he had of them what diâ—t and lodging besides the money lent him upon Sr. William Ryders â—ccount upon a Bill of Exchange which he really believes to be counterfeited so that money must be lost if not all the rest § To all which she makes answer that it is no small cause of wonder to her that any man could be so great a Counterfeit and that if all this was true she hoped her Husband had more discretion then to suffer himself to be so abused by a Person he had so much obliged and was so base to requite mens kindnesses by Cheating she uttered those words with such a Passion and seemed really so angry at the Majors ingratitude and the fear of her own loss that she press'd her Husband with all the eagerness that could be to Revenge himself upon that unworthy Fellow The Marchant hearing all this and believing his Wife had spoke nothing but what she cordially wish'd was extreamly satisfied to see and hear her so heartily take his part and seem so little concerned for the Major whereupon he tells her how he intends to revenge himself and prevent his harm for the future and that he had his Writ and his Baliffs ready to apprehend the Major in his private Lodging which he that day found out and would that night visit him she seemed to be very well pleased with the design and desir'd her Husband to loose no time but to prosecute that base ungrateful Fellow The Husband goes his way extreamly well satisfied blaming himself for having so ill thoughts and mean apprehensions of so honest and so Vertuous a Wife his back is no sooner turn'd but she immediatly sends for Major Clancie and makes him a challenge of unkindness for his company keeping in his Private Lodging and never acquainting her who could not conceal from him any tiling either of affection or fortune he easily made his peace with her who continues so firmly her Friendship for him thoroughly acquaints him with her Husbands intention to visit him at his private Lodging with six Baliffs that night § The Major having express'd his thankfulness after his wonted manner tells her he knows not where to be in safety from that storm that threatned him but in her Arms to his unspeakable joy and consolation thus they interchange glances of Love-looks while 〈◊〉 Marchant is preparing for his intendâ—â— visit About eight of the clock at night he comes to the private Lodging gives orders to the Baliffs to handle the Major
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF MAJOR CLANCIE The GRANDEST CHEAT OF THIS AGE WHEREIN Is set forth many of his Villanous Projects Real matter of Fact both in England Ireland France Spain and Italy at last was Executed at Tyburn the Reading of which will give the Reader great satisfaction PVBLISHED by AVTHORITY LONDON Printed by D. Mallet and are to be sold at his House in Half-Moon Court adjoining to Ludgate 1680. MADAM I Cannot but apprehend howgreat my Honour and Happiness would be if by my Service I could incline your Ladiship to believe the real sence I have of the many favours you have so often and so undeservedly placed upon me nor have I other returns to make but my obedience Truth is Madam my obligations are such as cannot be concealed which makes mechose rather to subject my self to censure for impertinences than ingratitude which I hope will induce your Ladiship to mittigate the rigour of what censure I may have justly deserved and by your example stop the current of such tongues as might otherwise critically carpat every thing they see though never so well intended This is the sum of my Request only that your Ladiship will assure your self in the knowledge that I desire to be esteemed Madam Your Humble Servant E. S. TO THE LADIES OF THE COURT PArdon me Ladies that I did Not right you as my Fancy bid Nor in my well meant Lines infer Your Dues in each particuler Wherein if I have err'd by chance Charge it upon my Ignorance Whose harder Fate could never own The Bliss of being better known To your Perfections So fall in Short Pray waste a Frown upon me for t TO THE READER BEing ready to lay hold upon the first opportunity I made use of this occasion that by my Obedience I might Evidence some thing of Gratitude in my Nature to Her that so often and so largely contribâ—ted to my Preservation when in my weakest and lowest condition of Health 'T is the Countess of Marlborough who commanded me to undertake this Taske to whom it is Dedicated with all the Service I can be capable of under whose Protection I hope it may find a kind Reseption with some shelter from the Storm that may otherwise threaten it from the severe lash of the Censorious You seldome meet with Books of any sort but some advantage may be had by reading them Where you will find Vertue cherished and Vice punished I dâ—ubt you will find but little mention of the former in this discourse his while Life being taken up in Studdies to practice the contrary Some have the art to put a good gloss upon an ill Cause I am none of those nor do I pretend to the Pen of a reddy Writer or any part of Eloquence which you will find by the plainness of the Stile nor can I free it from a great many Errours that may justly deserve a Censure which makes me intreat your favourable construction both of it and me That propose to my self no other advantage but to obey my Lady and present you this subject for divertion If it please you I have my wish if not I can but be sorry That what was so well intended should have so ill success It is impossible to please all and therefore I content my self if I am so Fortunate as to please any whose favourable interpretation and good Opinion is desired by your Servant E. S. THE LIFE and DEATH OF MAJOR CLANCIE IN the time of the late disorders by Commotions in Ireland which some call'd Rebellion when the Irish made choice of such of their Party to manage and Steer the Course of their affairs as they thought the fittest and best amongst them for so great an undertaking to whom they gave the Title of Supream Council whose Orders Decrees and Determinations were uncontroulably to be observ'd all Ireland over under such Penalties Forfeitures and Punishments as they thought fit to inflict according to the Nature of the offence or disobedience to such Laws and orders as were Prescrib'd by this Supream Council Their Place of Residence was Kilkenney where they were constantly visited and Courted from abroad particularly from Rome by the Popes Nuncio from Spain by Don-Diego D' L' Torris and from France by Monsieur Monery a Person so accomplisht and so obliging Civil that all men coveted his Company insomuch that there seldom was a meeting or Design of Merriment intended or Contrived by any Person of Quality there but Mounsieur Monery must be one who as often return'd their kindness in their own way It hapened that to one of his Feasts or Grand Balls there came a Gentleman out of the County of Clare invited to that Feast by the Master of iâ— this Gentleman had amongst the rest of his Attendants a very fine lively Boy that waited on him as his Page whose Carriage and great Diligence in his Office of Page-ship Monsieur Monery took great notice of and was very much taken with which the Gentleman perceiving was very willing to Oblige and the other conceiving it a greater preferment of the Boy bestowed him as a great Present to the Monsieur who received him so and having with a great deal of Language exprest his thanks desired to know the Boys Name he told him his Name was Dennis Clancie the Monsieur immediately altered the Boys Habit and gave him all the testimonies of a kind Reception with which the Boy was so transported that he studied nothing more than to please his Master by being ready at his Call or Beck never out of the way to wait the Service or Command of his Master and continued so not only during his Masters stay in Ireland but for some years after his coming into France where the Boy had all convenient opportunities for his Education could be wisht for which he neglected not but made so good use of his time that he improved it to the full by acquiring the French Tongue perfectly and all that he could gather both from his Latine and Dancing Master or what else the Academy could afford which took so with the Monsieur that he could not conceal from his Friends and acquaintance how precious a Jewel he had of his Boy Clancie to whose Breast he durst commit the greatest Secret Nor was he Master of that thing in the World he could not trust his Servant Clancie with As appeared upon an occasion the Monsieur had to Travil into some far remote part whither his occasions drew him and required his attendance for some considerable Time which he acquainted his trusty Servant with and told him withal how great his satisfaction was at Parting to know he left behind him the trustiest carefullest and honestest Servant in the World in whom he so much confided that he would leave him in his House at Paris to have a particular Care of his Trunks wherein there lay some Papers of concern his Apparel and some Money The Boy having with Tears expressed his great sorrow for being
Servants the whole Company dispersed my Lord and the Major go together to Wexford where I must for sometime leave them to direct themselves as their several inclinations lead them The Major taking hold of this occasion and fearing some other discoveries resolves to remove from thence acquainting his dear Friend my Lord with the intention at this time accasioned by Mr. Cheevers and finding how apt the People were to censure him he would endeavour to prevent the like for the future by making known that he was the Son of such a Father as he professes and no Counterfeit as Mr. Cehevers took the Liberty to term him In this resolution he desired my Lord to do him the Favour to dine with him before his going away to which request my Lord made answer that he had too much friendship for him ever to deny him any thing though sorry to loose his company so soon yet could not disapprove of his so well grounded reasons The next day being appointed my Lord came to the Majors House so did a great many more of the chief of the Town all seeming to be much troubled to think that the Major is upon leaving them he receives them with a great deal of kindness and promises so soon as he settles his affairs to return to them again Being at dinner and in a pretty pitch of Jolitry the Major calls his trusty Servant privatly gives him orders to be gon to a Place called Ross and thither to carry with him all his Trunks and Cloakbags with all the goods he had there to take Lodgings and wait his comeing which was no sooner commanded then with all the speed that could be observed The Major had no more trouble about it who had nothing now to do but entertain his Friends in which he lost no time when beleiving his Servant to be a good distance from the Town bethought him of his time to follow then calls for the other Glass and begins to my Lord a health to that poor distressed for lorne Prisoner his Mrs. which my Lord most readily pledged and seemed much troubled he had not the Honour to begin it while healths were going round the Major calls for Boxes and Dice then for his Servant to bring him Mony whom he knew to be some Miles from thence which my Lord observing bid his Purs-bearer to give the Major Forty Pound or what summ he would have which the Major made use of a while then left one in his place as if called upon in haste took Horse and went away followed his Servant without noise to Ross My Lord and his Company at play wondered at the Majors stay then calls for a Glass and drank his health giving him commendations by the Dozen till at the last the company began to grow weary called for their Servants to attend them to their several homes some to lead and some to carry but before they part the Master of the House appears with a long Bill of Fair in his Hand which the soberer part of the Company as my Lord and some few others seeing asked what he meant by it he told them he knew not who to call to for his Mony that the Major had been in his House a good while and never gave him Penny yet nor did he now know where he was or what became of him and that he hoped his Lordship and these Gentlemen would not see him undone § The Gentlemen looking one upon another wondering were all strook dumb Come come says my Lord it is not not to be supposed much less believed that a person of Honour and Quality would do an unhansome thing therefore let us suspend our opinions till we hear farther for I dare say there is some extraordinary accident that occasioned this suddain departure or there never had been this cause of complaint however he is my Friend and shall suffer nothing in my presence and for your Bill of Fair my Man shall pay you presently The Man was called Major Clancie's debt of two and Twenty Pounds paid the Company parted my Lord to his House the Gentlemen to their homes and the Major to Ross § I must now for some time leave this good Company and return to the poor discontented Prisoner whose unacquainted passions bred such a distemper in her that she fell sick of a Fever but by the Indulgent care of a sond Mother soon recovered of that distemper She studies nothing naw but how she shall make some Reparation to her beloved and conffirm him in an Opinion of her constancy this she contrives to do by a Letter sends it by her Foster Sister whose care is not questioned she delivers the Letter to the Major at his House in Ross who no sooner read it but puts himself into a posture to comply with the Contents which signified her sorrow for the seperation occasioned by her self and that she knew not how to repair it otherwise than by giving him this Testimony that if he pleased to come to such a place at such an hour with half a Dozen Horses she would not fail to meet him resolving to be for ever after at his Dispose I suppose I need not mention how he was Transported with joy when he received this comfortable Letter or how plentifully he rewarded the messenger that brought it and carried back his Answer after dispatching the messenger he immediately takes Horse and goes unto Wexford where the memory of this Prank was yet fresh I know not whether I may call it confidence or impudence but into my Lord of Crafford's Chamber he goes who welcomed him as Cheerfully as if his Lordship had received many obligations from him the Major finding his reception to be such as he could not in reason have expected from any Body began to make his Excuse attributing the misfortune of so abrupt a departure to an accident that suddainly befell him which my Lord would hear no more of why then my Lord since you are still my best Friend pray read this Letter which he did and and then asked him what Service can you imagine me capable to do in this occasion Only to lend me your best Horse That I conceive will not be enough says my Lord for here she directs your coming not only well Hors'd but well accompanied with half a Dozen Horses 't is pitty but she mould be observed which for her sake I will adventure first to go You shall have my Gray Horse for your self and I with my Five Servants will wait upon you this being a business could admit of no long delay My Lord orders the matter so that in a very little time they are all on Horse back marching fairly to the place appointed by the Lady who failed not to doe her part in coming at the hour according to her promise After she had saluted the kind lover over joyed my Lord told them this was no time or place for dalliance so to Horse she went they as before and she behind her Servant
promised him so good a Farm and left him so good a Pledg for his fifty pounds that he laught in his Sleeve at all others One Morning his Wives Fingers Itched to be at the Majors Trunk desired her Husbands leave to save her Longing He tells her how unwilling he is to meddle lest some of the Majors Goods might receive some Prejudice thereby but she presses him so to open the Trunk that there is no denial only he must first acquaint the Maior of the Town and desire him to be present for prevention of mistakes to the Maior he goes and tells him how he had lent money to Major Clancie who left him a sufficient Pledg and that his Wife being desirous to see the inside of it pressed him to open the Trunk to which he desired his Worship to come and be a Witness to what was in it and that no injury should be offered to the Majors Goods The Maior promises to be with him at the hour of three in the Afternoon without fail § The Maior comes at his hour with several of the best in Town to witness this great exploit upon whose coming the Smith is sent for with his Tools to break open the Trunk which is not long a doing no sooner the Lock is off but the Wife runs in all haste to open it the first thing the met with was a piece of Sattin with which all the râ—st was covered which you may believe were better so than seen for from that piece of Sattin to the bottom of the Trunk there was nothing but Brick-bats Clods of Earth and such like at which Sight the Maior and all the rest could hardly forbear Laughing § The Wise seeing her self cheated without any manner of Hope ever to be relieved falls a railing at her Husband whose Patience is now sufficiently tried From Railing she falls to Fighting of him so that the Maior and those others that came with another intention had enough to do to part Man and Wife whose best pastime is to scould imputing the blame of all their misfortunes to each other a Fate that attends stolen matches so made without the Privity or Consent of Parents § The Major by this time is arrived at Towmond where his old acquaintance and Friends very much admire to see the greatness of his Change both in Apparel and Education The Gentlemen of that Country are extreamly taken with his conversation especially Mr. Macnemarroe of Ralahim a place so often frequented by him as if it had been his constant dwelling The constant Resort of Strangers thither so common and so well known that I must suppose there needs no other mention of his Hospitality One day as the Major was Travelling the Road near that place he accidentally met a Gentleman newily coming into the Country from abroad going homeward where he had not been in some years longing much to pay his Duty to his Father the Lord of Mountgarrot The Major Accosts him with so many extraordinary signs of Joy that Mr. Butler marvelled at the suddenness of this great Intimacy upon the first acquaintance which the Major perceiving told him Sir pray wonder not at my Presumption nor my Transport till I have unfolded the Cause First I had the Honour to know you in such a place in France where you were pleased to own me for your Servant The next is my great satisfaction to meet you here from whence you shall not go if I may prevail so much with you till you tâ—oroughly inform your self what my Fortune is that am nearly related to you by my Marriage to your near Kinswoman Daughter to Mr. Cheevers near Wexford where I have been lasht with the censure of being a Counterfeit which I hope you will soon be able to remove My house is not far from hence whither I must intreat your Company § Mr. Butler told him he had not time to spare at present and that he would rather choose to come on purpose from his Fathers House to wait upon him at his own house than lose one hours time now and that he would go to his Cousin Cheevers purposely to remove that Doubt and censure and give such a Character of him as should render him capable of a better Opinion both with Mrs. and Mr. Cheevers and all his Friends For his own part he desired nothing more than an opportunity to renew this his Acquaintance and return this Civility and withal assured him how glad he was of his Alliance After the exchange of many expressions to this purpose Mr. Butler absolutely refused to go to his new Acquaintance and Cousins house by whom he was very much importuned The Major seeing he could not prevail presses him with much earnestness to take a Bait with him at another house of his lately let to an Uncle of his a Gentleman of that Country of a very good Family and good Estate one Mr. Maccnemarroe being just in his Road to Limerick whither Mr. Butler intended to go that Night and Major Clancie resolves to wait upon him and see his Cousin safe out of the Country of Twomond at least so far as Limerick in his way was extreamly glad of the Occasion which Mr. Butler did not much scruple then being willing to observe his Cousin § To Maccnemaroes house they are come led â—hither by the Major who has that observance and ready Attendance from the Servants in the Absence of their Master that he believes them to be Vncle and Nephew in good earnest The Design of calling Maccnemarroe his Vncle was that Mr. Butler should see he had Relations of Quality and likewise take some notice what care and at what distance he was obeyed here they are plentifully entertained the place being always provided for such occasions Healths go very quickly about to Mistresses and Friends so fast that they scarce take notice how the time goes notwithstanding Mr. Butlers haste They had not been long at this sport when one of the Servants came runing to the Major to tell him that his Master Maccnemarroe was allighting at the Gate the Major askes Pardon and Leave of Mr. Butler to go and wellcome his Uncle who is come to the Gate Down he hastes and after Salutation tells Maccnemarroe what a Guest he had brought to the house believing it to be a great disparagement to the whole Country if such a person as my Lord of Mountgarrot's Son should pass thorow without Entertainment Mr. Maccnemarroe Imbraces him and gives him many thanks for that great favour The Major tells him farther how he had made Mr. Butler believe that Maccnemarroe and he were Vncle and Nephew to the end he might not wonder at his Interest there nor the power he had taken upon him which Maccnemarroe desired him to continue and loose no time from that good work of entertaining that Gentleman in which he would give all the Assistance he could by surrendring to the Major all the power he had in the house which the Major very
stay till the Wind serve there being no other Lett the ship being in readiness and the mony that was articl'd for paid to the Captain § Soon after this the wind served fair for their Voyage the Governour sees all clear and aboard waits upon Captain Clancie wishing him a good Passage The Captain having civily returned his thanks set Sail of whom we hear no more till his Coming with his Troop into Flanders Where some of them asked him for the share of their Mony given him by the Governour of Cork for theirs Use He told them that what mony was given him was for his own Use and not theirs But they not satisfied with this Answer resolved to have it out of his bones and threatned him so that he was glad to get from them by stealth and leave his Troop to shift for their Living who not knowing where to follow dispersed several ways to seek their Fortunes apart CHAP. V. THe Major is by this time got into a remotest part of the Country where he had intelligence of a very Fair and Rich Widdow to whom he resolves to make his address having for Excuse of his presumption of coming with such an intention to a person of that Quality in so mean an equipage and so slenderly attened the distresse of his Country well known to most Nations which he begs her Ladiship to consider and not to look upon him as mean though peradventure his Habbit and retinue might speak him so which she should find upon enquiry § The Lady with a great deal of modesty gave him thanks for his large expressions and tould him withall it was not her business to inquire after any mans Fortune especially having neither intention or inclination to change her condition which she desired might serve for an answer not that she mis-believ'd what he had said or ever intended to question tho matter only that she knew not how to be rude to any Man and that at present she had some occasions called her away This he took for an Incouragement to come again which he often did without Invitation One day meeting with some of his Acquaintance of the Gentry of Ireland he imparts this Secret by which he questions not but to be shortly enabled to relieve them from their necessitous condition and put himself into a very splended posture This relished so well that these Gentlemen asked if they or any of them by their attendance upon his Person or any other way could be serviceable to him in this affair he told that was not it but the only thing he wanted to carry on this design was so much mony as would furnish him with some Aparrel that he might not always appear in one Dress § Truly say they our stock you know can not be great yet howsoever we will devide with you upon such an occasion as this that cannot be every where had He ingages that they shall never have cause to repent this kindness They incourage him to proceed having already made so fair a progress they make up forty pound between them which they very chearfully gave him He no sooner had it but he forthwith quits his Matter leaves his Lodging undischarged and his Friends strangely disappointed of this great Expectation crosses the Country and comes into England so to London Where at a place call'd Nells Ordinary to which there was great resort to which there came two Strangers that discoursing of their Travels one of them asked his Friend if he knew of any that he could confide in now I am going into France and have some money which I would willingly put into the hands of a Friend that would be just to and save me the Trouble of Exchange his Comrade told him he would inquire and was sure he could not miss of many that would be glad of the occasion § Major Clancie having heard the discourse as soon as Dinner was done and Reckoning paid call'd for some Wine to entertain his Friends to which he invites these two Strangers to whom he had made himself so known that before they parted he contracted such a Friendship as if they had been of long acquaintance insomuch that they were sworn Brothers They had not spent many hours in this new purchass'd Brotherhood when he told him Brother if I am not mistaken I heard you wish for a Friend that would be true to you and could help you to your money upon your Arrival in Paris If that be a Service to you I am sure I can help you for there is a noble Person there that has a considerable sum of money in his hands that shall pay you upon sight of my Bill This the Earl of Insiquin a Man very well known to be Responsable and just and if you please to make a farther enquiry as t is sit you should you will find this true The Gentleman hearing the name of Insiquin believing the thing withour any more ado and told the Major he had two hundred Pounds one he would carry about him the other he should have whereupon the Major draws his bill with a very careful earnest Letter of credence with which the Gentleman was very well satisfied and delivered the money when the Reckoning was paid The Company parted The Major about his affairs the Gentleman to prepare for his Journy § How that he is gladly eased of the burthen of his money into so good a Hand who no sooner Arives at Paris but comes to my Lord of Insiquin delivers his Bill and Letter My Lord seeing the name of Clancie could hardly contain himself from laughing So that he was forced to make an Apology by telling the Gentleman that the many former stories that he had heard and known of Major Clancie being brought fresh by this Bill and Letter into his memory was the cause he could not forbear laughing and withal told the Gentleman how sorry he was that any Gentleman should fall into the Hands of such a known Cheat and for his part he never had money of Clancies in his Life and that withal his heart he pittied the Gentleman not knowing how to advise him for the recovery of his money other then to make what haste he could back again to London where probably he might find Major Clancie before all the money were spent This was such a suddain surprise to the Gentleman so contrary to his expectation that he neither knew what to say or do stood stock still like an Image or Statue without Lfe or Motion But upon second thoughts and serious consideration he resolves to take my Lords advice this being a Business could admit of no long deliberation § And after a very little rest and some small repast he takes post and rides back to London where he finds the Major that dream'd not of his return in the least and rising suddainly from the Company to welcome his Brother meets half a dozen Baliffs that handled him very roughly The Gentleman hearing him call Brother answers