’Tis the ordinary Practice of the World, for Men to be kind to other
People for their own sakes; or at least to be frank of Civilities that
cost them nothing: Wherefore we are to Distinguish betwixt Kindnesses
that are only matter of Course, and Friendly Offices that are done out
of Choice and Good Will. Where’s the Obligation, the Friendship, or the
Respect of any Man’s making me a Present of what he neither cares for
himself, nor knows what to do withal? And of that which I am to be never
the better for neither? The Fellow here had taken more Fish than he could
spend while they were Sweet, and so rather than they should lie by to
stink him out of the House, he invited _Mercury_ to the Eating of them;
that is to say, to the Helping him off with them.