L.--There is a sort of fellows they call banterers and
bamboozlers that play such tricks, but it seems these fellows were in
earnest.

JOHN BULL.--I begin to think that justice is a better rule than
conveniency, for all some people make so slight on it.

CHAPTER VII. Of the hard shifts Mrs. Bull was put to preserve the Manor
of Bullock's Hatch, with Sir Roger's method to keep off importunate
duns.*

* Some attempts to destroy the public credit at that time.
Manners of the Earl of Oxford.

As John Bull and his wife were talking together they were surprised with
a sudden knocking at the door. "Those wicked scriveners and lawyers, no
doubt," quoth John; and so it was, some asking for the money he owed,
and others warning to prepare for the approaching term. "What a cursed
life do I lead!" quoth John; "debt is like deadly sin. For God's sake,
Sir Roger, get me rid of the fellows." "I'll warrant you," quoth Sir
Roger; "leave them to me." And, indeed, it was pleasant enough to
observe Sir Roger's method with these importunate duns. His sincere
friendship for John Bull made him submit to many things for his service
which he would have scorned to have done for himself. Sometimes he would
stand at the door with his long staff to keep off the duns, until
John got out at the back door. When the lawyers and tradesmen brought
extravagant bills Sir Roger used to bargain beforehand for leave to cut
off a quarter of a yard in any part of the bill he pleased; he wore a
pair of scissors in his pocket for this purpose, and would snip it off
so nicely as you cannot imagine. Like a true goldsmith he kept all your
holidays; there was not one wanting in his calendar; when ready money
was scarce, he would set them a-telling a thousand pounds in sixpences,
groats, and threepenny-pieces. It would have done your heart good to
have seen him charge through an army of lawyers, attorneys, clerks, and
tradesmen; sometimes with sword in hand, at other times nuzzling like
an eel in the mud. When a fellow stuck like a bur, that there was no
shaking him off, he used to be mighty inquisitive about the health of
his uncles and aunts in the country; he could call them all by their
names, for he knew everybody, and could talk to them in their own way.
The extremely impertinent he would send away to see some strange sight,
as the Dragon of Hockley the Hole, or bid him call the 30th of next
February. Now and then you would see him in the kitch