Mr. Seal. These? yes, sir. I have heard my father name 'em all, and more.
Sir J. Bev. Ay, sir? and did he say they were all in your family?
Mr. Seal. Yes, sir, he kept 'em all. He was the greatest cocker[134] in England. He said Duke John won him many battles, and never lost one.
Sir J. Bev. Oh, sir, your servant! you are laughing at my laying any stress upon descent; but I must tell you, sir, I never knew anyone but he that wanted that advantage turn it into ridicule.
Mr. Seal. And I never knew any one who had many better advantages put that into his account.—But, Sir John, value yourself as you please upon your ancient house, I am to talk freely of everything you are pleased to put into your bill of rates on this occasion; yet, sir, I have made no objections to your son's family. 'Tis his morals that I doubt.
Sir J. Bev. Sir, I can't help saying, that what might injure a citizen's credit may be no stain to a gentleman's honour.
Mr. Seal. Sir John, the honour of a gentleman is liable to be tainted by as small a matter as the credit of a trader. We are talking of a marriage, and in such a case, the father of a young woman will not think it an addition to the honour or credit of her lover that he is a keeper——
Sir J. Bev. Mr. Sealand, don't take upon you to spoil my son's marriage with any woman else.
Mr. Seal. Sir John, let him apply to any woman else, and have as many mistresses as he pleases.
Sir J. Bev. My son, sir, is a discreet and sober gentleman.