"But do you not suppose that the cocks which fight inflict pain on each other; and can a humane person derive any amusement from the agonies of a dumb animal?"
"True, Sir; some, I know, are against such sports, but I must confess that I have a bit of a liking for them."
"I believe, from what little I know of rural life, that the innocent pastimes of the village usually terminate in scenes of drunkenness, rioting, and lewdness; and pray, farmer, have you never seen the bad effects of them on your friends, and on your servants?"
"Ay, ay, Sir, you now strike home, but what are people to do; they must have a little 'laxation from hard work sometimes."
"But you say 'these things are put down by the Methodists, in spite of you;' what do the people do now?"
"O, nearly all of them are turned Methodists, and Squire Stevens, who lives up at Fairmount yonder, is at the head of them."
"What sort of a gentleman is he?"
"He is very well in his way, only he has too much religion."
"What do you mean by too much religion?"