He lost his money at chuck-farthing, shuffle-cap, and all-fours;
sold his books, pawned his linen, which we were always forced to
redeem. Then the whole generation of him are so in love with
bagpipes and puppet-shows! I wish you knew what my husband has paid
at the pastry-cook's and confectioner's for Naples biscuits, tarts,
custards, and sweetmeats. All this while my husband considered him
as a gentleman of a good family that had fallen into decay, gave him
good education, and has settled him in a good creditable way of
living--having procured him, by his interest, one of the best places
of the country. And what return, think you, does this fine
gentleman make us? he will hardly give me or my husband a good word,
or a civil expression. Instead of Sir and Madam (which, though I
say it, is our due), he calls us "goody " and "gaffer" such-a-one;
says he did us a great deal of honour to board with us; huffs and
dings at such a rate, because we will not spend the little we have
left to get him the title and estate of Lord Strutt; and then
forsooth, we shall have the honour to be his woollen-drapers.**
Besides, Esquire South will be Esquire South still; fickle, proud,
and ungrateful. If he behaves himself so when he depends on us for
his daily bread, can any man say what he will do when he is got
above the world?

* Something relating to the manners of a great prince, superstition,
love of operas, shows, etc.
** Something relating to forms and titles.

D. DIEGO.--And would you lose the honour of so noble and generous an
undertaking? Would you rather accept this scandalous composition,
and trust that old rogue, Lewis Baboon?