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-you can't think but their domestics are following their examples below.

Mrs. Circ. Well, and what then?

Serj. Then the same distress that throws the master and mistress into the power of any who are willing to purchase them, by a regular gradation, seduces the servants to actions, tho' more criminal, perhaps not more atrocious.

Mrs. Cire. Pshaw stuff!I have no head to examine your dirty distinctions-Don't teize me with your jargon.-I have told you the sums I shall want, so take care they are ready at your returning from Kingston.-Nay, don't hesitate; recollect your own state of the case, and remember, my honour is in pawn, and must, some way or other, be redeem'd by the end of the week. [Exit.

Serj. My honour is in pawn!-Good lord! how a century will alter the meaning of words!-Formerly, chastity was the honour of women, and good faith and integrity the honour of men but now, a lady who ruins her family by punctually paying her losses at play, and a gentleman who kills his best friend in some trifling frivolous quarrel, are your only tip-top people of honour. Well, let them go on, it brings grist to our mill: for whilst both the sexes stick firm to their honour, we shall never want business, either at Doctor's Commons, or the Old Bailey..

[Exit.

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

АСТ II.

Enter Serjeant Circuit and Jack.

Serj.

JACK, let Will bring the chaise to the door. Jack. Mr. Fairplay, sir, the attorney, begs to speak a few words.

Serj. How often have I told you, that I will see none of these sort of folks but at chambers; you know how angry your mother is at their rapping and littering the house.

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Jack. He says, sir, he will not detain minutes.

Serj. Well, bid him walk in.

Enter Fairplay.

you five

Serj. Well, Mr. Fairplay, what's your will? Farp. I just call'd, Mr. Serjeant, to know your opinion upon the case of young Woodford, and if you like the proposal of being concern'd.

Serj. If it turns out as you state it, and that the father of the lad was really a minor, the Essex estate may without doubt be recover'd; and so may the lands in the North.

Fairp. We have full proofs to that fact.

Serj. May be so; but really, Mr. Fairplay, you know the length of time that these kind of suitsFairp. True, sir, but then your experience will shorten I appreh

Serj. That's more than I know and then not only my fees lying dormant, but, perhaps, an expectation of money to be advanced.

Fairp. The property, sir, is of very great value,

and, upon the recovery, any acknowledgement shall be readily made.

Serj. There again, any! do you know that in law, that word any has no meaning at all? Besides, when people are in distress, they are lavish enough of their offers; but when their business is done, then we have nothing but grumbling and grudging. Fairp. You have only to dictate your terms. Serj. Does the lad live in town?

Fairp. He has been under my care since the death of his father; I have given him as good an education as my narrow fortune would let me ; he is now studying the law in the Temple, in hopes that should he fail of other assistance, he may be able one day to do himself justice.

Serj. In the Temple?

Fairp. Yes, sir, in those little chambers just over your head-I fancy the young gentleman knows him.

Jack. Who? Mr. Woodford! lord, as well as myself, he is a sweet sober youth, and will one day make a vast figure, I am sure.

Serj. Indeed!

Jack. I am positive, sir, if you were to hear him speak at the Robinhood in the Butcher-row, you would say so yourself: why he is now reckon'd the third; except the breeches-maker from Barbican, and sawny Sinclair the snuffman, there is not a mortal can touch him.

Serj. Peace, puppy; well, Mr. Fairplay, leave the papers a little longer with me and pray who is employ'd against you?

Fairp. A city attorney, one Sheepskin.

Serj. A cunning fellow, I know him; well, sir, if you will call at Pump-court in a week. Fairp. I shall attend you.

Serj. Jack, open the door for Mr.-[Exeunt Fairplay and Jack.] Something may be made of this matter: I'll see this Sheepskin myself. So much

in future for carrying on the suit, or so much in hand to make it miscarry a wise man should well weigh which party to take for.

Enter Jack.

So Jack, any body at chambers to-day?

Jack. Fieri Facias from Fetter-lane, about the bill to be filed by Kit Crape against Will Vizard, this term.

Serj. Praying for an equal partition of plunder ? Jack. Yes, sir.

Serj. Strange world we live in, that even highwaymen can't be true to each other! [half aside to himself.] but we shall make master Vizard refund, we'll shew him what long hands the law has.

Jack. Facias says, that in all the books he can't hit on a precedent.

Serj. Then I'll make one myself; aut inveniam, aut faciam, has been always my motto. The charge must be made for partnership profit, by bartering lead and gunpowder, against money, watches, and rings, on Epping-forest, Hounslow-heath, and other parts of the kingdom.

Jack. He says, if the court should get scent of the scheme, the parties would all stand committed. Serj. Cowardly rascal! but however, the caution may'nt prove amiss. [Aside.] I'll not put my own name to the bill.

Jack. The declaration too is delivered in the cause of Roger Rapp'em against sir Solomon Simple. Serj. What, the affair of the note?

Jack. Yes.

Serj. Why, he is clear that his client never gave such a note.

Jack. Defendant never saw plaintiff since the hour he was born; but, notwithstanding, they have three witnesses to prove a consideration, and signing the note.

Serj. They have?

Jack. He is puzzled what plea to put in.
Serj. Three witnesses ready, you say?
Jack. Yes.

Serj Tell him Simple must acknowledge the note, [Jack starts.] and bid him, against the trial comes on, to procure four persons at least to prove the payment, at the Crown and Anchor, the 10th of December.

Jack. But then how comes the note to remain. in plaintiff's possession?

Serj. Well put, Jack; but we have a salvo for that; plaintiff happen'd not to have the note in his pocket, but promised to deliver it up, when call'd thereunto by defendant.

Jack. That will do rarely.

Serj. Let the defence be a secret, for I see we have able people to deal with. But come, child, not to lose time, have you carefully conn'd those instructions I gave you?

Jack. Yes, sir.

Serj. Well, that we shall see.

points are the great object of practice?

Jack. Two.

Serj. Which are they?

How many

Jack. The first is to put a man into possession of what is his right.

Serj. The second?

Jack. Either to deprive a man of what is really his right, or to keep him as long as possible out of possession.

Serj. Good boy! To gain the last end what are the best means to be used?

Jack. Various and many are the legal modes of delay.

Serj. Name them.

Jack. Injunctions, demurrers, sham-pleas, writs of error, rejoinders, sur-rejoinders, rebutters, sur

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