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 appeared by your own accounts that there
was something due to me upon the balance. Having nothing to answer to so
plain a demonstration, you began to complain as if I had been familiar
with your reputation; when it is well known not only I, but the meanest
servants in my family, talk of you with the utmost respect. I have
always, as far as in me lies, exhorted your servants and tenants to be
dutiful; not that I any way meddle in your domestic affairs, which were
very unbecoming for me to do. If some of your servants express their
great concern for you in a manner that is not so very polite, you ought
to impute it to their extraordinary zeal, which deserves a reward
rather than a reproof. You cannot reproach me for want of success at
the 'Salutation,' since I am not master of the passions and interests of
other folks. I have beggared myself with this lawsuit, undertaken merely
in complaisance to you; and if you would have had but a little patience,
I had still greater things in reserve, that I intended to have done for
you. I hope what I have said will prevail with you to lay aside your
unreasonable jealousies, and that we may have no more meetings at the
'Salutation,' spending our time and money to no purpose. My concern for
your welfare and prosperity almost makes me mad. You may be assured I
will continue to be
"Your affectionate
"Friend and Servant,
"Nic. Frog."*
* Substance of the States letter.
John received this with a good deal of sang-froid; "Transeat," quoth
John, "cum caeteris erroribus." He was now at his ease; he saw he could
now make a very good bargain for himself, and a very safe one for other
folks. "My shirt," quoth he, "is near me, but my skin is nearer. Whilst
I take care of the welfare of other folks, nobody can blame me to apply
a little balsam to my own sores. It's a pretty thing, after all, for a
man to do his own business; a man has such a tender concern for himself,
there's nothing like it. This is somewhat better, I trow, than for John
Bull to be standing in the market, like a great dray-horse, with Frog's
paws upon his head. What will you give me for this beast? Serviteur
Nic. Frog, though John Bull has not read your Aristotles, Platos, and
Machiavels, he can see as far into a mill-stone as another." With that
John began to chuckle and laugh till he was like to have burst his
sides.