'Tis true this began to be notorious, and receiv'd some check in a
former meeting of the Feathers; but even now, when I came away, the
three Years expiring, and by Course a new Consolidator being to be
built, they were as busie as ever. Bidding, Offering, Procuring,
Buying, Selling, and Jobbing of Feathers to who bid most; and
notwithstanding several late wholesome and strict Laws against all
manner of Collusion, Bribery and clandestine Methods, in the
Countries procuring these Feathers; never was the Moon in such an
uproar about picking and culling the Feathers, such Bribery, such
Drunkenness, such Caballing, especially among the High Solunarian
Clergy and the Lazognians, such Feasting, Fighting and Distraction,
as the like has never been known.

And that which is very Remarkable, all this not only before the Old
Consolidator was broke up, but even while it was actually whole and
in use.

Had this hurry been to send up good Feathers, there had been the less
to say, but that which made it very strange to me was, that where the
very worst of all the Feathers were to be found, there was the most
of this wicked Work; and tho' it was bad enough every where, yet the
greatest bustle and contrivance was in order to send up the worst
Feathers they could get.

And indeed some Places such Sorry, Scoundrel, Empty, Husky, Wither'd,
Decay'd Feathers were offer'd to the Proprietors, that I have
sometimes wonder'd any one could have the Impudence to send up such
ridiculous Feathers to make a Consolidator, which, as is before
observ'd, is an Engine of such Beauty, Usefulness and Necessity.