r. Worthy; and it is by reading, spelling, and putting them
together to good purpose, that I have got up in the world. I shall
give you a proof of this to-day. These farmers are most of them come
to the Lion with a view of purchasing this bit of land of mine, if
they should like the bargain. Now, as you know a thing can't be any
great bargain both to the buyer and the seller too, to them and to
me, it becomes me as a man of sense, who has the good of his family
at heart, to secure the bargain to myself. I would not cheat any
man, sir, but I think it fair enough to turn his weakness to my own
advantage; there is no law against that, you know; and this is the
use of one man's having more sense than another. So, whenever I have
a piece of land to sell, I always give a handsome dinner, with
plenty of punch and strong beer. We fill up the morning with other
business; and I carefully keep back my talk about the purchase till
we have dined. At dinner we have, of course a slice of politics.
This puts most of us into a passion, and you know anger is thirsty.
Besides 'Church and King' naturally brings on a good many other
toasts. Now, as I am master of the feast, you know it would be
shabby in me to save my liquor; so I push about the glass one way,
and the tankard the other, till all my company are as merry as
kings. Every man is delighted to see what a fine hearty fellow he
has to deal with, and Mr. Bragwell receives a thousand compliments.
By this time they have gained as much in good humor as they have
lost in sober judgment, and this is the proper moment for setting
the auctioneer to work, and this I commonly do to such good purpose,
that I go home with my purse a score or two pounds heavier than if
they had not been warmed by their dinner. In the morning men are
cool and suspicious, and have all their wits about them; but a
cheerful glass cures all distrust. And what is lucky, I add to my
credit as well as my pocket, and get more praise for my dinner than
blame for my bargain."

Mr. Worthy was struck with the absurd vanity which could tempt a man
to own himself guilty of an unfair action for the sake of showing
his wisdom. He was beginning to express his disapprobation, when
they were told dinner was on the table. They went in, and were soon
seated. All was mirth and good cheer. Every body agreed that no one
gave such hearty dinners as Mr. Bragwell. Nothing was pitiful where
he was master of the feast. Bragwell, who looked