Juft as he was going to try to enter into a very serious converfation with his guest, he was stopped by the appearance of his daughter, who told them fupper was ready. -This interruption obliges me to break off alfo, and I fhall referve what "follows to the next month, when I promise to give my readers the second part of this History.

PART II.

A Converfation."

Soon after fupper Mrs. Worthy left the room with her daughters, at her husband's defire; for it was his intention to speak more plainly to Bragwell than was likely to be agreeable to him to hear before others. The two farmers being feated at their little table, each in a handfome old-fashioned great chair, Bragwell began.

"It is a great comfort, neighbour Worthy, CC at a certain time of life to be got above the "world: my notion is, that a man should "labour hard the first part of his days, "that he may then fit down and enjoy him. "felf for the remainder. Now, though I

1

hate boafting, yet as you are my oldeft

"friend, I am about to open my heart to

66 you. Let me tell you then, I reckon I "have worked as hard as any man in my "time, and that I now begin to think I "have a right to indulge a little. "got my money with character, mean to fpend it with credit.

I have

and I

I pay

every one his own, I fet a good example, "I keep to my church, I ferve God, I "honour the king, and I obey the laws "of the land."

This is doing a great deal indeed,"

replied Mr. Worthy;

66 but," added he, "I doubt that more goes to the making all thefe duties than men are com

༦ up "monly aware of. Suppofe then that

you and I talk the matter over coolly, "we have the evening before us. What "if we fit down together as two friends "and examine one another."

Bragwell, who loved argument, and who was not a little vain both of his fenfe and his morality, accepted the challenge, and gave his word that he would take in good part any thing that fhould be faid to him. Worthy was about to proceed, when Bragwell interrupted him for a moment, by faying,-" But stop, friend, before we

begin I wish you would remember that "we have had a long walk, and I want a "little refreshment; have you no liquor "that is stronger than this cyder? I am "afraid it will give me a fit of the gout."

Mr. Worthy immediately produced a bottle of wine, and another of spirits; faying, that though he drank neither fpirits nor even wine himfelf, yet his wife always kept a little of each as a provifion in cafe of fickness or accidents.

Farmer

Farmer Bragwell preferred the brandy, and began to taste it. Why," faid he, "this is no better than English; I always "ufe foreign myfelf."-" I-bought this "for foreign," faid Mr. Worthy." No, 66 no, it is English spirits I affure you; but "I can put you into a way to get fa"reign nearly as cheap as English." Mr. Worthy replied that he thought that was impoffible.

Bragwell. O no; there are ways and means-a word to the wife-there is an acquaintance of mine that lives upon the fouth coaft-you are a particular friend, and I will get you half-a-dozen gallons for a trifle.

Worthy. Not if it be fmuggled, Mr. Bragwell, though I fhould get it for fixpence a bottle." Afk no questions," said the other, "I never fay any thing to any "one, and who is the wifer ?"-" And "fo this is your way of obeying the laws "of the land,” said Mr. Worthy;-“ here " is a fine fpecimen of your morality." · Bragwell.

Bragwell. Come, come, don't make a fufs about trifles. If every one did it indeed it would be another thing; but as to my getting a little good brandy cheap, why that can't hurt the revenue much.

Worthy. Pray Mr. Bragwell what should you think of a man who would dip his hand into a bag and take out a few guineas?

Bragwell. Think! why I think that he fhould be hanged to be fure.

Worthy. But fuppofe that bag ftood in the king's treasury?

Bragwell. In the king's treasury! worse and worfe! What, rob the king's treafury! Well, I hope if any one has done it, the robber will be taken up and executed; for I fuppofe we shall all be taxed to pay the damage.

Worthy. Very true. If one man takes money out of the treasury, others must be obliged to pay the more into it. But what think you if the fellow fhould be found to have stopped fome money in its way to the

treasury,