Q. What would I give to be as well vers'd in History, as you are?
A. And that's Impossible, let me tell ye; Utterly Impossible: For I reade just six times as much as any other Man. I have Read more Folio's then ever Tostatus read Pages. In one Word; I reade as much in one hour, as any other man reads in six.
Q. Why how can that be?
A. Why you must know I have a notable Faculty that way. I read ye two Pages at a view: the Right-hand Page with one eye, and the Left with t'other, and then I carry three Lines before me at a time with each eye.
Q. But can ye Keep what ye Reade, at this rate?
A. I remember six times more then I reade; for I supply all that was left out, and yet 'tis a wonderfull thing, I cannot for my heart's blood remember Faces. I dare swear I have taken one man for another twenty times; but I am altogether for Things, and Notions, d'ye see, and such like; Countenances, let me tell ye, don't AFFECT me; And yet I have a strange aversion for the two Faces I saw with you t'other day.
Q. What D'ye mean, Kings-man and Church-man?
A. Devil's-man and Damms-man: A couple of Canary-Birds, I'le warrant 'em: But Kings-man is better yet then Duke's-man.
Q. Why do ye talk thus of men of Quality, and Considerable Families?
A. Well! but I may live to see their Honours laid in the dust tho' for all that. Prethee why is not Circingle-man, Lawn-sleeve-man, Mitre-man, as good a name as Church-man? Pray what Family is this same Church-man of, for I know a world of the Name? He's of the Prelatical House, I suppose, Is he not?