r to have got one
favourable verdict than to have sold a bale of broadcloth. As for Nic.
Frog, to say the truth, he was more prudent; for though he followed his
lawsuit closely he neglected not his ordinary business, but was both in
court and in his shop at the proper hours.

* The manners and sentiments of the nation at that time.

CHAPTER VIII. How John discovered that Hocus had an Intrigue with his
Wife;* and what followed thereupon.

John had not run on a madding so long had it not been for an extravagant
wife, whom Hocus perceiving John to be fond of, was resolved to win over
to his side. It is a true saying, that the last man of the parish
that knows of his cuckoldom is himself. It was observed by all the
neighbourhood that Hocus had dealings with John's wife that were not so
much for his honour; but this was perceived by John a little too late:
she was a luxurious jade, loved splendid equipages, plays, treats and
balls, differing very much from the sober manners of her ancestors, and
by no means fit for a tradesman's wife. Hocus fed her extravagancy (what
was still more shameful) with John's own money. Everybody said that
Hocus had a month's mind to her; be that as it will, it is matter of
fact, that upon all occasions she ran out extravagantly on the praise
of Hocus. When John used to be finding fault with his bills, she used
to reproach him as ungrateful to his greatest benefactor; one that had
taken so much pains in his lawsuit, and retrieved his family from the
oppression of old Lewis Baboon. A good swinging sum of John's readiest
cash went towards building of Hocus's country house.** This affair
between Hocus and Mrs. Bull was now so open, that all the world was
scandalised at it; John was not so clod-pated, but at last he took the
hint. The parson of the parish preaching one day with more zeal than
sense against adultery, Mrs. Bull told her husband that he was a
very uncivil fellow to use such coarse language before people of
condition;*** that Hocus was of the same mind, and that they would join
to have him turned out of his living for using personal reflections. How
do you mean, says John, by personal reflections? I hope in God, wife,
he did not reflect upon you? "No, thank God, my reputation is too well
established in the world to receive any hurt from such a foul-mouthed
scoundrel as he; his doctrine tends only to make husbands tyrants, and
wives slaves; must we be shut up, and husbands left