I threw deuce ace five times running. Some months were elapsed in
this manner, till at last it was thought convenient to fix a day
for the nuptials of the young couple, who seemed earnestly to
desire it. During the preparations for the wedding, I need not
describe the busy importance of my wife, nor the sly looks of my
daughters: in fact, my attention was fixed on another object, the
completing a tract which I intended shortly to publish in defence
of my favourite principle. As I looked upon this as a
master-piece both for argument and style, I could not in the
pride of my heart avoid shewing it to my old friend Mr Wilmot, as
I made no doubt of receiving his approbation; but not till too
late I discovered that he was most violently attached to the
contrary opinion, and with good reason; for he was at that time
actually courting a fourth wife. This, as may be expected,
produced a dispute attended with some acrimony, which threatened
to interrupt our intended alliance: but on the day before that
appointed for the ceremony, we agreed to discuss the subject at
large. It was managed with proper spirit on both sides: he
asserted that I was heterodox, I retorted the charge: he replied,
and I rejoined. In the mean time, while the controversy was
hottest, I was called out by one of my relations, who, with a
face of concern, advised me to give up the dispute, at least till
my son's wedding was over. 'How,' cried I, 'relinquish the cause
of truth, and let him be an husband, already driven to the very
verge of absurdity. You might as well advise me to give up my
fortune as my argument.' 'Your fortune,' returned my friend, 'I
am now sorry to inform you, is almost nothing. The merchant in
town, in whose hands your money was lodged, has gone off, to
avoid a statute of bankruptcy, and is thought not to have left a
shilling in the pound. I was unwilling to shock you or the family