Joking on this topic.

[46] _So good an husband._ So thrifty a man.

[47] _Fine._ Premium paid by new tenant to landlord.

[48] _Manumission._ Release from service.

[49] _Undone._ Ruined.

[50] _All the difference._ The only difference.

[51] _Took off the dress._ Dress = livery: _i.e._, would not allow him
to remain a servant.

[52] _Habit._ Dress.

NO. 108. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

_Gratis anhelans, multa agenda nihil agens._

PHAEDR. _Fab._ v. 1. 2.

Out of breath to no purpose, and very busy about nothing.

As I was yesterday morning walking with Sir Roger before his house, a
country fellow brought him a huge fish, which, he told him, Mr. William
Wimble had caught that very morning; and that he presented it, with his
service to him, and intended to come and dine with him. At the same time
he delivered a letter which my friend read to me as soon as the messenger
left him.

SIR ROGER,

I desire you to accept of a jack[53], which is the best I have
caught this season. I intend to come and stay with you a week, and
see how the perch bite in the Black River. I observed with some
concern, the last time I saw you upon the bowling-green, that your
whip wanted a lash to it; I will bring half a dozen with me that I
twisted last week, which I hope will serve you all the time you are
in the country. I have not been out of the saddle for six days last
past, having been at Eton with Sir John's eldest son. He takes to
his learning hugely. I am, Sir,

Your humble servant,
WILL WIMBLE.

This extraordinary letter, and message that accompanied it, made me very
curious to know the character and quality of the gentleman who sent them;
which I found to be as follows. Will Wimble is younger brother to a
baronet, and descended of the ancient family of the Wimbles. He is now
between forty and fifty; but, being bred to no business and born to no
estate, he generally lives with his elder brother as superintendent of
his game. He hunts a pack of dogs better than any man in the country, and
is very famous for finding out a hare. He is extremely well-versed in all
the little handicrafts of an idle man: he makes a May-fly to a miracle;
and furnishes the whole country[54] with angle-rods. As he is a
good-natured officious[55] fellow, and very much esteemed upon account of
his family, he is a welcome guest at every house, and keeps up a good
corresponde