I believe it is a moot point, whether I am
more likely to make a Master Bull, or you a Lord Strutt.

JOHN BULL.--Agreed, old boy; but then I must have security that I shall
carry my broadcloth to market, old boy.

LEWIS BABOON.--That you shall: Ecclesdown Castle! Ecclesdown! Remember
that. Why wouldst thou not take it when it was offered thee some years
ago?

JOHN BULL.--I would not take it, because they told me thou wouldst not
give it me.

LEWIS BABOON.--How could Monsieur Bull be so grossly abused by downright
nonsense? they that advised you to refuse, must have believed I intended
to give, else why would they not make the experiment? But I can tell you
more of that matter than perhaps you know at present.

JOHN BULL.--But what say'st thou as to the Esquire, Nic. Frog, and the
rest of the tradesmen? I must take care of them.

LEWIS BABOON.--Thou hast but small obligations to Nic. to my certain
knowledge: he has not used me like a gentleman.

JOHN BULL.--Nic. indeed is not very nice in your punctilios of ceremony;
he is clownish, as a man may say: belching and calling of names have
been allowed him time out of mind, by prescription: but, however, we are
engaged in one common cause, and I must look after him.

LEWIS BABOON.--All matters that relate to him, and the rest of the
plaintiff's in this lawsuit, I will refer to your justice.

CHAPTER XIX. Nic. Frog's letter to John Bull: wherein he endeavours to
vindicate all his conduct, with relation to John Bull and the lawsuit.

Nic. perceived now that his Cully had eloped, that John intended
henceforth to deal without a broker; but he was resolved to leave no
stone unturned to cover his bubble. Amongst other artifices he wrote a
most obliging letter, which he sent him printed in a fair character.

"DEAR FRIEND,--When I consider the late ill-usage I have met with from
you, I was reflecting what it was that could provoke you to it, but
upon a narrow inspection into my conduct, I can find nothing to reproach
myself with but too partial a concern for your interest. You no sooner
set this composition afoot but I was ready to comply, and prevented your
very wishes; and the affair might have been ended before now, had it
not been for the greater concerns of Esquire South and the other poor
creatures embarked in the same common cause, whose safety touches me to
the quick. You seemed a little jealous that I had dealt unfairly with
you in money-matters, till it app