shall see most needful and the other forty shillings to be laid out in bread for them and to be distributed the next four Sundays after my decease each Sunday alike till it be out The rest of his estate he gave unto the Shoomaker whom he made his full and sole Executor giving him a great charge to be careful on me and so having subscribed and sealed it he betook him to his bed as prepared to die and free leave he had to go both of me and the Shoomaker also To hasten him on the more I perswaded him to sweat which he was willing to do so I covered him with as many Cloaths as he was able to bear and being in a violent sweat he called for some strong Waters whereupon I went to the Pump and filled him a pint of such sober liquor as that yeilded and brought it to him which having tasted he asked me what I had brought him I told him it was excellent good white anny seed he said it tasted like fair water I told him that was only the badness of his Pallet which could not distinguish any thing truly said he it tasteth so small that I think you may leave the word Anny seed out and call it only white-water Yet notwithstanding this he found such fault his parching thirst caused him to drink it all off which gave such a sudden chill to his blood that what with that and some other slops that I gave him in three days time he turned up his heels and dyed No sooner was his breath out of his body but I began to put in execution what before I had intended and first I examined his pockets wherein I found the sum of fourteen shillings and nine pence eleven shillings whereof I took leaving some that I might not be suspected to have taken any but this was nothing to vvhat I thought to find in his Trunck vvhich I opened with an expectation to have mine eyes blest vvith the sight of store of vvhite and yellovv pieces but the clouds dropped no such rain the Trunk courted not me as Iupiter did Diana vvith a Golden shovvre some plate vvas in it some Bonds and other Writings but no money This vvas a shrevv'd cooling card to my high hopes vvhich promised me Mountains and performed not mole-hills for as for the plate the Executor knevv of each piece in the house and Bills and Bonds signified no more to me than meat an hungry man vvhich he might see and not come at vvherefore seeing it vvould be no better I armed my self vvith patience considering I had not lost by his death he having given me twenty pound for the bringing me up to some learning and putting me out Apprentice by which I hoped to be sufficiently able to live in the World and therefore haveing secured the eleven shillings in the Coller of my doublet mistrusting my pockets might be searched I called for a messenger and sent the Executor word of his death not bidding him to have a care of frighting him in the delivering of his message for I did not think the sudden news of his death would make him to break his heart with sorrow there vvas less fear in that then of a Userer undoing a young Heir vvhen he once gets him into bonds He having received the nevvs he made no long tarriance before he came to me bringing a couple of old Women along vvith him to search the dead corps that an account might be given vvhat he dyed of vvhich is a thing you knovv is usual But before I proceed any further having occasion here to speak of these searchers give me leave to mention some abuâ—es and cheats vvhich I have observed to be practiced by them They are indeed very necessary especially in great Cities that an account may be given of what diseases people dye of and that men may not have their lives shortned by violence which appearing after their deaths may be by them discovered but these women have their cheats too for notwithstanding they are sworn to give a true information to the Parish Clarks yet mony can so blind their eyes that if a man be poysoned they can bring it in that he died of the French-Pox and though a house be visited with the sickness yet if the Master thereof be unwilling to be shut up for loosing his trading if he do but greaze them in the fist with some mony they will make the Pestilence to be surfeit and the spotted feaver which is little inferiour to the Plague the Swine-pox and sometimes the Measles nay once I knew two of those Searchers that for money brought it in that the party who had the spotted feaver died of nothing else but the tooth-ach Thus you see that it is an undeniable maxime that there is Knavery in all trades people being now grown so villanous in their practices that they make the very dead to be accessary to their Cheats But to return to my story The Shoomaker standing in the street whilst the Women came in called to me and bid me if any of the Trunks were open to lock them up and throw the keys down to him which I accordingly did the fear of loosing his Mammen making him to dispence with any danger that might accrew to him by taking the keys That night was my old Master buried and a fortnight after the Bedding and Cloaths being aired in the mean time and I continuing sound I was removed to his house where I took special notice of his great care in performing my Masters Will and first for the three pounds that was given to buy the poor Cloaths he bestowed the same on two suits for his own Boys proving it to be the Will of the dead it should be so for said he they are poor who are in want and his Sons wanting cloaths therefore they were to be reckoned in the number of the poor and policy bids us this always to provide for our own poor first Then for the bread he ordered with the Baker so that for every ten dozen he would have a twelve penny-loaf and yet were they made fifteen to the dozen vvhich over-pluss above twelve he also took to himself so that the penny loaves shrunk to the bigness of half penny ones and only for the name there was no difference I seeing how he had dealt by the poor thought with my self that my Legacy would shrink also like Northern Cloath in the wetting and my twenty pound come to twenty shillings but vvhilst I had cause for my self I vvould not complain of his dealing by others and therefore expected the event with patience Soon after I was set to School with a fellow that went in black Cloathes and therefore taken for a man of learning becauâ—e so habited this man and his Schollars were both of one mind for he cared not how little he taught them for there money and they cared not how little they learned for it but I who had friends to rely on
THE English Rogue Continued in the Life Of Meriton Latroon AND OTHER EXTRAVAGANTS Comprehending the Most Eminent Cheats OF Most Trades and Professions The Second Part. Licensed Feb. 22. 1668. LONDON Printed for Francis Kirkman and are to be Sold by William Rands in Duck-lane 1680. A. an East India Iunck B. an Indian House Flatt and Terrasod on the Top. C. an Indian Coach drawne with Oxen. D. an Indian Waggon drawne with Oxen. E. Persee Buriall place F. Banians Washing G. Banians Worship under greene trees H. the Banians Marriages I. the Banians Burialls THE English Rogue Continued in the Life of MERITON LATROON And other EXTRAVAGANTS Part II. CHAP. I. He discourses the manner of Government of the Inhabitants of the East-Indies a small Voyage by Sea where he is in danger by a Tempest and a Malabar Man of War but escapes both he makes some rambles into the Country and returning home has some reflections on his fore-passed life I Was now arrived at the Meridian of my age and enjoyed such a plenty of every thing that I soon forgot the many miseries I had lately suffered since my banishment from England I governed my Family with a most absolute command and received a willing obedience aswell from my Wife as all our Servants and during the stay of our English Ships I gained very muâ—h by entertaining my Country-men with necessaries I kept so punctual a correspondence with the Banian Merchants that I could command any thing and by their means found the way of Trading by which I considerably enriched my self so that at the departure of the English Fleet I haveing cast up an account of my Estate found that I had gained above 2000 Rupees which being the Country money and worth about 2 s. a piece amounted to 200 l. also I had a good parcel of Diamonds besides those I had cheated the Banian of at my first arrival several other Commodities I had by me which with my Housholdstuff which was considerable did in all amount to a great value The Fleet being departed the chief of our Trading ceased and now it was vacation time and I hating idleness and somewhat weary of my Wives company being desirous of Novelty set out to view the Country to which end taking money with me and all other necessaries I hired an Indian Coach which is a kind of a Chariot with two wheels and will hold about four persons this Coach was drawn with two Oxen who will travel about thirty miles a day my charge was not much for about eighteen pence a day paid my Coach-man and kept his Cattel Thus did I ramble about the Country visiting other of my acquaintance where I had a full enjoyment of every thing the Country afforded for we had notonly the Country drink called Toddee which is made of the juyce of several Trees and Punch vvhich is made of Rack-lime or lime-vvaâ—er Sugar Spiceâ— and sometimes the addition of Ambergreese but vve likevviâ—e drank great quantities of Persian Wine vvhich is much like Claret and brought from that Country in Bottles These vvere our drinks vvherof vve drank plentifully and oftentimes to excess our meat vvas chiefly Rice vvith Beans and Turkeys Beef and Mutton and sometimes Veal and Lamb this was my ordinary diet but the Banians eat no flesh accounting it criminal it being contrary to their Religion to kill any thing the chiefest exercise we had was playing at Nine-pins a game I was well acquainted vvith in England and therefore could vvell enough deal vvith the Natives though they vvere expert there in Though I pleased my self in these things yet there vvas still vvantiâ—g the only thing which had alvvayes made my life pleasant to me and that vvas the company of Women for without their pleasing society in a full enjoyment I reckoned I had nothing and therfore upon eveâ—y turn found them out but I must now be contented vvith the Natives vvho although they are not so fair as the vvomen of our European Countries yet they may pass vvell enough for their complexions are commonly of a tavvny bievv but they are richly adorned vvith pearl and other Jevvels speak of those vvho vvere Mercenary There is no Tovvn but hath tvvo or thâ—ee of these Brothel houses vvhich were allovved of neither vvas it any disgrace to be seen â—herein the handsomest vvomen are here the Matron of the house is furnished vvith several who she purchases sometimes of their own Parents who sell them not accounting it an injury to dâ—spose them to this purpose These old Bavvds are as cuning as those of our Country for they will sell a Maiden-headtwo or three times over for which they will some times have twenty or thirty Rupees according to the goodness of the Comodity and good will of the purchaser who shall enjoy his bargain for 2 or 3 days or nights together either at their lodgings or at home at their own houses neither do their wives dare to contradict their Husbands therein for they will oftentimes bring home one of these Lasses and lodge them in a Cot in the same Room with their Wives and lye with them as often as they please and when they have done with them send them home again I tryâ—d several of these Bona Roba â—s who pleased me very well for what they wanted in beauty they supplyed in respect and willingness to comply with and pleaâ—e me in all my desires and though many times they have the Pox by reason of their heat activity yet they value it not for they are so well acquainted and furnished with remedies that they soon cure themselves and the men who accompany them my ramble being finished I returned home and though my Wife knew I had been at several of theâ—e Brothels yet I was joyfully received and welcomed by her We keeping a publick house had all sorts of guests and now being at leisure I diâ—coursed with several of the Brammanes who are their Priests who informed me not only of the Civil but Ecclesiastical Government of the Nation for though I supposed them Heathens yet I found that they followed a rule in their livings to which they strictly ty'd themselves They in general gave me this account that they are governed by a Kâ—ngly Monarch who is called the Great Mogul he is absolute in his Dominions and all his subjects are his slaves all the Land and Houses throughout his Dominions are his own and the Inhabitants or occupiers are only his Tenants and pay a valuaâ—le rent for what they enjoy which is â—nually collected by Officers to that purpose appointed and paid into his Exchequer this he bestows at his own pleasure or spends in making War with his Enemies who are chiefly the Tartars and sometimes the Persians they have frequently civil Wars amongst themselves upon the death of their Prince if he leaves more Sons then one behind him for he who lastruled was Father of this present Mogul made his way to the Empire by the death of
11 of his Brethren he himself being the youngest when he dyed which is not long since 3 of his Sons survived him who all immediately raised great Armies either to gain the Empire or lose their lives in general The 2 youngest having assembled all their well-willers and friends with considerable Armies approached one another a River now only parting them The eldest of the two dispatched a Messenger to his Brother tâ— tell him that he was very well satisfied in his taking Arms and since he was in such readiness if he pleaâ—ed he would joyn forces with him and assault their elder Brother who being vanquisht they would divide the Government The youngest â—rother willingly assenting to these propositions came over to him but no sooner was he in his power but he caused both his eyes to be put out thereby disenabling him from the Goveâ—nment and soon gaining the Captains of his Brothers Army to his party he joyned Forces causing his blind Brother to be carried with him advanced to meet and oppose his elder Brother in short time they met fought each other with various success but in fine he conquered his Brother depriving him of life as the other of sight he now remains sole Monarch of this large Empire The old Mogul died infinitely rich for he left eight Tancks of coyned Mony each Tanck esteemed to hold ten millions of Rupees and indeed it is no great marvel for he hath some of his Subjects especially the Banian Merchants that are very rich all whose treasure he will command at his own will there is one Banian whose name is Vergore who was the chiefest Merchant of his Tribe and hath most of the Stocks of his fellows in his hand to him the Great Mogul sent for money to which message he sent this answer That he would presently furnish his Highness with a Hundred Carts loaden with ready money The Mogul hearing this ordered him â—o keep it till he sent again or had further occasion The English have great priviledges for they pay less Duties and Customes than the Natives for the Banian Merchants will sometimes hire an English man to go to Sea with them in their Juncks which are great Barks not to do any service in the voyage but only to own the goods that they may save several Taxes and Duties thatelse must be paid as Anchorage and Moorage I one time was asked by a Banian of my acquaintance whether I would go to Sea with him and he would give me a considerable recompence he told me that I should only wear my hat eat my victuals and when we came to our port own the Goods being desirous of seeing fashions I consented and our Junck being loaden we set sail and departed but never was I acompanied with such Sailers for the Junck which is much like a close Lighter was deeply loaden with â—alliâ—oes it carried above 1000 Tun the wind being fair all the tackling was nailed down and fastned so that when we had been four dayes at Sea the wind contrary to custome changed but though it began to be tempestuous yet all our men being then at dinner there was none would leave their eating to handle the sails or alter the tackling dinner being ended I perswaded them with much adoe to go to workbut it was some hours ere they had loosned their tackling so as to lower their sails and by that time we were driven out of knowledge the winds there are usually so constant that they never make provisions to handle their sails and alter them but commonly as they fix them at their fetting out so they continue till they come to their Port where instead of an Anchor they carry a very great stone fastned by an iron ring to their Cable which they let down while they stay but take up when they go away and then they alter their sails fitting them to the wind to bring them back they continue in that manner to the end of the Voyage But now it falling out otherwise great was their trouble not knowinghow to behave themselves and although there was forty men on board and they all well enough acquainted with Navigation in those parts yet I that was but of one years standing was their beâ—t instructor or else we had been lost and perished most of our sails being now taken down and the wind ceasing we by the next day came into our knowledge but met with another misfortune which was like to prove worse then the former â—or we discovered a Junck though nothing near so big as ours yet better man'd and was indeed a Malabar Man of War and our professed Enemy who are used to infest those Seas with their Pyracies our Seamen being sensible of the desperateness of ouâ— condition were greatly dismayed but I who was formerly used to be dead hearted enough did now become Valerous and encouraged them by words and Actions for considering the badness of my condition being likely not only to â—ose what Estate I had lately gathered but at least wise my liberty and it may be my life for many of these Malabars do kill feed on their Prisoners these considerations I say possessed me with so much courage that I was resolved to try my utmost power to defend my self from my Enemies we were by chance accompanied by ten Moors called Rashpoots who being always brought up in Wars never go unarmed these persons being more couragious then the rest by my example put themselves into a posture of defence and the other Seamen had Swords and other weapons put into their hands to keep the Enemy from boarding us we had eight great Guns in our Junck which were carried more for ornament then use for they knew not how to discharge them against an Enemy to advantage they being a well as their tackling and sails fixed to one place only served to be shot off in triumph and make a noise but would not be well levelled to carry a Bullet to do execution I seeing this inconvenience took such order therein that the Guns were placed so as to dammage our Enemy who now approaching us came close up towards us but he found a hotter entertainment then he expected for we killed several of his men with our â—irst broad side the only weapons our Enemies had were great stones which they threw at us in abundance but we having again charged our great Guns and all the small ones we had aboard gave them such a peal as was the funeral knel to many of them by this time they were discouraged and our men seeing the good success we had came all in sight and every one taking a great stone which had been thrown to us by the Enemy gave them such an onset with the stones as now made them to think of giving over their enterprize which we compelled them to do so soon as we had given them another broad-side and once more discharged all our small guns thiâ— gave them so generall a