JOHN BULL.--Thou meanest that I should put him in possession, for I can
make it no surer without that. He has all the law can give him.

ANDREW.--Indeed, possession, as you say, would make it much surer. They
say it is eleven points of the law.

John began now to think that they were all enchanted. He inquired
about the age of the moon, if Nic. had not given them some intoxicating
potion, or if old Mother Jenisa was still alive? "No, o' my faith,"
quoth Harry, "I believe there is no potion in the case but a little
aurum potabile. You will have more of this by-and-by." He had scarce
spoken the word when another friend of John's accosted him after the
following manner:--

"Since those worthy persons, who are as much concerned for your safety
as I am, have employed me as their orator, I desire to know whether you
will have it by way of syllogism, enthymem, dilemma, or sorites?"

John now began to be diverted with their extravagance.

JOHN BULL.--Let's have a sorites by all means, though they are all new
to me.

FRIEND.--It is evident to all that are versed in history that there
were two sisters that played false two thousand years ago. Therefore it
plainly follows that it is not lawful for John Bull to have any manner
of intercourse with Lewis Baboon. If it is not lawful for John Bull to
have any manner of intercourse (correspondence, if you will, that is
much the same thing) then, a fortiori, it is much more unlawful for the
said John to make over his wife and children to the said Lewis. If his
wife and children are not to be made over, he is not to wear a dagger
and ratsbane in his pockets. If he wears a dagger and ratsbane, it
must be to do mischief to himself or somebody else. If he intends to do
mischief, he ought to be under guardians, and there is none so fit as
myself and some other worthy persons who have a commission for that
purpose from Nic. Frog, the executor of his will and testament.

JOHN BULL.--And this is your sorites, you say?

With that he snatched a good tough oaken cudgel, and began to brandish
it. Then happy was the man that was first at the door. Crowding to get
out, they tumbled down-stairs. And it is credibly reported some of
them dropped very valuable things in the hurry, which were picked up by
others of the family.

"That any of these rogues," quoth John, "should imagine I am not as much
concerned as they about having my affairs in a settled condition, or
that I would wrong my heir f