Over. And screen Delinquents.
Sir John. Will they join, think you, in National Parsimony, in the Encouragement of Trade and Industry, and the Discouragement of Venality and Corruption? Will they join in repealing those Laws which affect Freedom, and in lessening the vast Power accruing to the Crown from the great Weight of our Debts and Taxes, by the Distribution of civil Employments? Will they join——
Blunt. Yes, Sir John, in fleecing the Nation to fill their own Pockets, and gratify Mr. Nameless.
Over. That same Nameless must have an excellent Digestion; and sure his necessary Woman must have golden Days of it; for without doubt, he who swallows so much Gold must sh—t a great deal of the Metal.—— But I forget that H—— is the Close-stool, where all the precious Excrement centers.
Blunt. And but One, on this Side the Water, has a Key to that valuable Repository.
Rose. For Cleanliness of Conversation, commend me to you both, Gentlemen.
Over. And for doubling and time-serving, commend me to Gownsmen.
Broad. Gentlemen, I intreat we may live sociably together as usual. Let us not give Way to Spleen or Ill-nature. Mr. Roseband and Mr. Smoothwell happen at this Time to be in a more charitable Disposition than the rest of the Company. But, I assure myself, you will be all of one Opinion, when you see perfect Concord in the Administration, and that Union directed to promote publick Happiness.
Sir John. Mr. Broadbottom, I heartily agree with you in the Banishment of Heat and Sarcasm from our Conversation; but can’t help dissenting from you in the other Point. Without giving up my Reason, I can’t reckon upon Concord between two Sets of Men, as seemingly different in their Views and Principles as can well be imagin’d. By all that appears hitherto, you lately Ingrafted, have acted on Principles the most honourable, and with Views the most disinterested that ever Men did; whereas the old Standards seem to have no Views but to Self-Interest, nor Principles, but such as are repugnant to Patriotism.
Over. Patriotism! Ha, ha! Poor Wanderer! Where has she taken up her Habitation, since she was sent adrift by those Ingrafted about two Years ago upon the old Stock?