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CHAP. VII.

Political Conversation.

WITH my stout walking-stick in my hand, my

well-worn beaver slouched over my face, and as awkward a gait as I could assume, I entered the Turk's-Head, and ordering a can of home brewed and a pipe at the bar, I posted into a room whose door stood open, and which seemed the best below. I had scarcely seated myself in the chimney corner, (though not the exact season for the enjoyment of such a situation) when Farmer Grumbleton entered, followed close after by the miller. "Plague take the dry season," said the farmer, "I shan't have a blade of after grass "You have had a good hay

season tho'," observed the latter. "What of that," quoth the farmer, "the cattle must be turned out, and a small crop agrees very well with some lands second hand." "Very true Mr. Grumbleton,” returned the miller. "The cattle must be turned out, and a second crop is a good thing." The Stonemason came in. "They are going to put up prayer

in the Church for rain," continued the miller" as I'm told." "Where's the use of that?" cried the Mason, "it will never rain 'till the wind changes." 'Aye, aye,” observed the farmer, "the parsons do well to pray for the tithes of another hay-rick; and if I go to Church I'll pray too."

The Blacksmith and Nursery-man soon joined the party; and the latter drew a bundle af papers out of his pocket, and threw them on the table, observing he might begin reading directly, for it was no use to wait for Will Shape: he was a flincher, and had given up the cause. All expressed their surprise and curiosity to know for what reason. Mr. Spade informed them, that Lord B's steward had been recommending Will to make his new liveries against the election, but his Lordship had received secret in telligence of Will's political sentiments, and as they were in opposition to his own, he refused to employ him. "Now," continued Mr. Spade, "was Will beset by his old grandmother, his mother and sister, (all of whom, you know, he helps to maintain) and by his Lordship's steward besides, to give up, and so at last he consented, and by dint of great influence on the steward's part, he has got the order and they say is likely to get more, if he does not "turn round again, which we must try to make him.” "No, no," said the farmer, "let him alone, we want no turn-coats." Aye," said the stonemason, it makes out the saying, nine taylors make a man.''

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Now the Stone-mason and I differed widely in our opinion of Will Shape's character, for mine was instantly fixed, that he had given a decided proof of possessing the distinguishing ornament of man-humanity.

I observed the first object these politicians had in view, was that of obtaining a supply of liquor previous to their consultations. The Farmer placed a large goblet of brandy and water before him. The nursery-man a bottle of cyder, probably out of a laudable partiality to the produce of his own orchard; while the rest, like myself were content with the less costly beverage of home brewed. The newspapers of the day were then produced, and read in an audible voice by Mr. Spade, who commented as he went along." WAYS AND MEANS”"Aye, that's to raise more taxes, because we are not taxed enough already." "There's no new tax on funded property; is there?" eagerly enquired the farmer, who receiving an answer in the negative, seemed to sip his brandy and water with a new relish." "PETITIONS FROM-AND FROM-ORDERED TO LIE ON THE TABLE. Just so always," exclaimed the reader, striking his hand on that before him, "these men in power, order every motion for a redress of our grievances, to lie on the table, and there they may lie to the world's end, for ought they care. WAR OFFICE, ADMIRALTY OFFICE,-all a list of promotions, and dear bought victories. BREAD RISING AGAIN." Then turning

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to the miller-"We must pull all the mills about
our ears before it will be any cheaper." The colour
in the miller's face mounted to the deepest scarlet.
"'Tis no fault of the miller's," exclaimed he,
confirming his assertion by an oath, and glancing
a look at the farmer. "Nor of the farmer, I'll
swear too," said Mr. Grumbleton. "Whose
fault is it then?" asked the reader. "Why, the
great folks to be sure," rejoined he, "who are
always raising the price of land, so that no honest
farmer can live now-a-days." "Some farmers,"
resumed the miller, "wont bring their grain to
market, till it will fetch the price they choose."
Mr. Grumbleton took a hearty sip from his goblet,
and desired Mr. Spade to proceed. "EXECUTION
OF RIOTERS-That's downright murder; I will
maintain every man in the kingdom has a right to
stand up in any way he pleases for his rights." "I
don't know that," replied the Miller," he has no
right to pull down mills, nor would it answer any
purpose, for if all the mills were pulled down,
how would the flour be ground? 'tis not the work
of an hour to re-build a mill." "Better by half,"
said the Stone-mason, "go in a main strong body,
and pull down the Parliament-house. Then, when
these great folks saw what we could do when roused
to it, they'd look about them a bit, and make peace,
and that would make bread cheap." "No bad notion,"
cried the blacksmith, "and I'm the man to make tools
for the work. I and some hundreds more in the trade,

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could soon make grappling irons, and all sorts of irons fit for the purpose." "Before we can proceed so far as that," resumed Mr. Spade, must form a regular plan of organization, and I have some secret papers in my pocket, given me by a gentleman, who does not of course choose his name to be mentioned." Mr. Spade now glanced his eye round to see if all was private before he produced the papers, when for the first time he discovered me. "Ah! old codger," he exclaimed, "where are you from? What do you know about the world?".

I shook out the ashes of my pipe against the empty bars of the grate, twisted my scratch bob from off my left ear, and looking as knowing as I "old codger could say somewas able, answered, thing."

Agreeably to my wishes they all burst out a laughing, and with one accord made a motion for They observed my me to join them at the table. mug was empty, and generously offered to replenish it, which I readily accepted, for I know the refusal of kindness is painful to the generous heart. "Well, old friend," said the farmer, "can you tell us "Most likely," replied I, when it will rain?"

"when it pleases God to turn the wind." said," observed the Mason,

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we should have no

rain till the wind changed." Mr Spade repeated his ̧

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