en, weighing the
beef and butter, paying ready money, that the maids might not run a tick
at the market, and the butchers, by bribing of them, sell damaged and
light meat.* Another time he would slip into the cellar and gauge the
casks. In his leisure minutes he was posting his books and gathering in
his debts. Such frugal methods were necessary where money was so scarce
and duns so numerous. All this while John kept his credit, could show
his head both at 'Change and Westminster Hall; no man protested his bill
nor refused his bond; only the sharpers and the scriveners, the lawyers
and other clerks pelted Sir Roger as he went along. The squirters were
at it with their kennel water, for they were mad for the loss of
their bubble, and that they could not get him to mortgage the manor
of Bullock's Hatch. Sir Roger shook his ears and nuzzled along, well
satisfied within himself that he was doing a charitable work in rescuing
an honest man from the claws of harpies and bloodsuckers. Mrs. Bull did
all that an affectionate wife, and a good housewife, could do; yet the
boundaries of virtues are indivisible lines. It is impossible to march
up close to the frontiers of frugality without entering the territories
of parsimony. Your good housewives are apt to look into the minutest
things; therefore some blamed Mrs. Bull for new heel-pieceing of her
shoes, grudging a quarter of a pound of soap and sand to scour the
rooms**; but, especially, that she would not allow her maids and
apprentices the benefit of "John Bunyan," the "London Apprentices," or
the "Seven Champions," in the black letter.***

* Some regulations as to the purveyance in the Queen's
family.

** Too great savings in the House of Commons.

*** Restraining the liberty of the Press by Act of
Parliament.

CHAPTER VIII. A continuation of the conversation betwixt John Bull and
his wife.

MRS. BULL.--It is a most sad life we lead, my dear, to be so teazed,
paying interest for old debts, and still contracting new ones. However,
I don't blame you for vindicating your honour and chastising old Lewis.
To curb the insolent, protect the oppressed, recover one's own, and
defend what one has, are good effects of the law. The only thing I want
to know is how you came to make an end of your money before you finished
your suit.

JOHN BULL.--I was told by the learned in the law that my suit stood upon
three firm pillars: more money for more law, mor