Friend in the Country was published? Is it not high time for an Answer
to come out? At this rate, before your Answer is printed, your Letter
will be forgot. I love to keep a controversy up warm. I have had
authors who have writ a pamphlet in the morning, answered it in the
afternoon, and answered that again at night.

_Quib_. Sir, I will be as expeditious as possible: but it is
harder to write on this side the question, because it is the wrong
side.

_Book_. Not a jot. So far on the contrary, that I have known some
authors choose it as the properest to shew their genius. But let me
see what you have produced; "With all deference to what that very
learned and most ingenious person, in his Letter to a Friend in the
Country, hath advanced." Very well, sir; for, besides that, it may
sell more of the Letter: all controversial writers should begin with
complimenting their adversaries, as prize-fighters kiss before they
engage. Let it be finished with all speed. Well, Mr Dash, have you
done that murder yet?

_Dash_. Yes, sir, the murder is done; I am only about a few moral
reflexions to place before it.

_Book_. Very well: then Jet me have the ghost finished by this
day se'nnight.

_Dash_. What sort of a ghost would you have this, sir? the last
was a pale one.

_Book_. Then let this be a bloody one. Mr Quibble, you may lay by