ause I was too strong, and now because
I am too weak to resist; I am to be brought down when too rich, and
oppressed when too poor. Nic. Frog has used me like a scoundrel. You are
a gentleman, and I freely put myself in your hands to dispose of me as
you think fit.

JOHN BULL.--Look you, Master Baboon, as to your usage of your
neighbours, you had best not dwell too much upon that chapter. Let it
suffice at present that you have been met with. You have been rolling a
great stone up-hill all your life, and at last it has come tumbling down
till it is like to crush you to pieces. Plain-dealing is best. If you
have any particular mark, Mr. Baboon, whereby one may know when you fib
and when you speak truth, you had best tell it me, that one may proceed
accordingly. But since at present I know of none such, it is better that
you should trust me than that I should trust you.

LEWIS BABOON.--I know of no particular mark of veracity amongst us
tradesmen but interest; and it is manifestly mine not to deceive you at
this time. You may safely trust me, I can assure you.

JOHN BULL.--The trust I give is, in short, this: I must have something
in hand before I make the bargain, and the rest before it is concluded.

LEWIS BABOON.--To show you I deal fairly, name your something.

JOHN BULL.--I need not tell thee, old boy; thou canst guess.

LEWIS BABOON.--Ecclesdown Castle,* I'll warrant you, because it has been
formerly in your family. Say no more; you shall have it.

* Dunkirk.

JOHN BULL.--I shall have it to my own self?

LEWIS BABOON.--To thine own self.

JOHN BULL.--Every wall, gate, room, and inch of Ecclesdown Castle, you
say?

LEWIS BABOON.--Just so.

JOHN BULL.--Every single stone of Ecclesdown Castle, to my own self,
speedily?

LEWIS BABOON.--When you please; what needs more words?

JOHN BULL.--But tell me, old boy, hast thou laid aside all thy
equivocals and mentals in this case?

LEWIS BABOON.--There's nothing like matter of fact; seeing is believing.

JOHN BULL.--Now thou talkest to the purpose; let us shake hands, old
boy. Let me ask thee one question more; what hast thou to do to meddle
with the affairs of my family? to dispose of my estate, old boy?

LEWIS BABOON.--Just as much as you have to do with the affairs of Lord
Strutt.

JOHN BULL.--Ay, but my trade, my very being was concerned in that.

LEWIS BABOON.--And my interest was concerned in the other. But let us
drop both our pretences; for