to me in the bad service of my Servants for I have had as bad as bad could be as I shall acquaint you more particularly when I arrive at that place of my story and that I may come to it I will thus proceed My Father recived back either ten or fifteen of his thirty pounds given with me and as bad a Servant as I was to my Master yet he also freely gave up to my Father the hundred pound Bond he had given him for my truth so that I was not in the least tainted in my Reputation that ways All that I remember was ever laid to my charge or objected against me was the private Copying of those Writings I have told you of and another time I being sent to receive two hundred pounds and not being so well skilled in telling Money as I ought I finding that he that told it to me was as quick again as I made haste too that I might not be accounted dull and thereby lost about five shillings but it being the first time I did so my Master did pardon me but withal telling me that if I did so again either I or my Father should pay for it But I from that time became more curious and learned so much skill as I seldome lost but often gained thereby as once for Example A great Boobily fellow much older than my self came to receive eight pounds of me it being all in half Crowns I quickly told it off with both hands the Receiver seeing me so nimble and being ashamed of his own ignorance for he hardly knew how to tell forty shillings he also told the Money with both his hands and tumbled it over in a confused manner I observing that was resolved to put a trick on him and try his skill wherefore I twice together told to him but four pounds in stead of five it was all as one to him he still said it was right and having tumbled it all over he gave me the Receipt and away he went contented I laid by the forty shillings not with intent to get so much by him no I thought that to be unreasonable I did not intend he should pay so dear for his ignorance and folly I expected and designed to have a pair of Gloves or some Treat and therefore told one of it that knew him we had some laughing and he upon asking him some questions about the parcel of Money found that he wanted some but withal he was ashamed to acknowledge how the Mistake was but his friend seeing his ignorance and willfulness helped him out and told him all the story and the other agreeing to give me a pair of Gloves and he and I a quart of Wine I gave him the forty shillings advising him to learn to tell Money better I being now clearly discharged from my Master followed my Father home where he again thus renewed his discourse to me Well now you are free from your Master I suppose you are glad of it you think you have made a good days work of it and I am not of your mind for I believe it to be the worst days work you ever made in your life and that you will have time enough to repent it I gave him the hearing of all this not answering one word and indeed I knew not what to say nor to do I was not well enough skill'd in my trade to think of setting up and be a Master my self and therefore I must resolve to have another Master My Father advised me to seek out for another as he would do but I lost my labour none would take me knowing that I had so foolishly left my Master they could not be perswaded that the fault was in him and therefore all Masters of any account refused me none but some idle young fellows would take me and with such a one at length I was placed But before I go to any other Master and come into a new house and family I must give a stop and relate some passages in my fathers I have already told you that I had a Stepmother and now I shall give you her Character She was to the outside of as promising a good nature as could be she had a very smooth smiling countenance and always laugh'd or sneer'd when she talked with me she was a good Huswife in her house and appeared to be a good Wife to a Husband and to me she seemed to be a very kind Mother-in-law but I was mistaken I thought I had God Almighty by the Hand when as I had the Devil by the great Toc she was a right Yorker being of that Countrey breed and as full of dissimulation and hipocrisy as most of that Countrey This Woman had been three times married to three several Citizens her two first Husbands had little good luck with her all their lives time and at last had sudden deaths The first was kill'd in a Tavern with a quart pot which an angry friend threw at him this Husband had been so unfortunate that he died worse than nothing in Estate for he owed more than he was worth She caused one friend of hers to pretend a Debt which she as Administratrix pretended to pay to him who returned it to her again and so deceived all her Husbands Creditors and to make a further addition to her Estate she having thus gained all her Husbands Stock he that killed her Husband agreed to renew the Lease of her house to her by paying a Fine if she would acquit him of her Husbands death This was agreed upon and accordingly performed Thus was the loss of her Husband a gain to her She had now a House and Stock of her own free of all debts and troubles onely she had one Child a Daughter by him Being in this condition she was wooed by and wedded to another Citizen of honest condition and quality who also had by her several Children two which were Daughters did out live him He had three Sons of his own by a former Wife whom he bred up and placed out who also out-lived him But although he died in a good Estate yet his Sons were little the better for it This Citizen dealing much in the Countrey and keeping Fairs in his return from one died suddenly at an Inn on the Road. Small care was taken by her for his burial although she knew of his death but she had other matters in hand of greater moment she had other fish to fry and so she left his burial to be managed by a Servant The eldest of his Sons being of Age enquires into his Fathers Estate expecting a large portion he being the eldest Son and Heir apparent to it but he reckoned without his Host and therefore must reckon twice his Mother-in-law had such Cards to shew as would beat him out of play She produced a Will but such a one as was onely to prejudice her Husbands sons and made up wholly the Interest of herself and two Daughters This Will was
made in one sheet of Paper in a blind manner written by the Servant in the House and onely witnessed by him who was known to be her great Confident who was employed by her to go down and see her Husband buried and be sure to bring up the Seal-Ring with which the Will was sealed and so he being returned the Will was produced and in it after a few ceremonial words were these or to this effect I give and bequeath to my living Wife all these my two Tenements situate c. for the term of her natural life and after her decease I give them to my two Daughters and their Heirs c. Here she and hers were provided for but not one word of his Sons in all the Will The Son seeing this demands an account of the personal Estate but a small matter comes to his share she sweeps away two thirds of it one as her due by the Custome of the City and another as her due in regard her Husband had not otherwise given or disposed of it by Will And now let me tell the Reader by way of Caution what it may be he is not as yet acquainted withal That a Citizen of London if he hath a Wife and Children can give away but one third part of his personal Estate One third part his Wife will have another third part his Children will have and the other third he may dispose of as he pleases either to Wife or Children or Strangers as he thinks fit If he dies without a Will or such a one as does not dispose of his third then it goes to his Wife as she is Administratrix and this was the Case of this Citizen who although he died possessed of an Estate of Free-hold worth five or six hundred pounds and six hundred pounds personal Estate yet a small matter came to his Sons for the Free-hold is gone as I told you and the personal Estate consisting of six hundred pounds being to be divided she hath four hundred pounds for her two thirds and then two hundred pounds being to be divided amongst five his three Sons and her two Daughters for they came in for a share equal with the rest the Sons have just forty pounds a piece and this is all they were like to have of the Estate The eldest Son being told that he had foul play shew'd him and believing it he flutter'd and went to Law to overthrow the Will but to no purpose she had the better Purse and such a Witness on her side as did not flinch from her so that all the young mans endeavours were in vain he onely made himself worse by spending his Money and at last was forced to be satisfied though he was not contented for in short time after discontent broke his heart This and all the former passages have been related to me and I am apt to believe the truth of them all because I have found the whole state and business to be answerable to so wicked purposes for although she enjoyed all during her life yet since that their Children are dead except one the most inconsiderable of all and nothing is left of them no not remembrance his Children did live and arrive to very considerable Estates but are all since dead and their Estates gone and now her Estate is in the hands of strangers and that Servant who was her Confident did never thrive in body or Estate dying long since in want and poverty This was the Woman that was my Mother-in law and she was likely enough to be too cunning for me having passed through these Projects with so much success My Father had married her upon small acquaintance and knew none of her Actings he had not enquired and therefore knowing nothing believed all to be aright she had a considerable Estate and that was as much as he aimed at that being the chief care of most thriving Citizens to enquire into that and afterwards to deal with them as cunningly as they can I being come home to my Fathers my Mother-in law made very fair weather to me and gave me many good words telling me That she had already and would again speak to my Father in my behalf and to please me the better she was propounding a Match for me with one of her Daughters she having three would talk of matching them to me and my two Brothers for that was our stock there being no Sisters All these kind of pleasing Discourses she would have in my Fathers absence and before his and my face she would incline somewhat to my side and take my part by this I supposed she was my real friend but I found it otherwise as I shall presently tell you I lying in the Garret over the Chamber where my Father and she lay and one night hearing them in some earnest discourse I supposing it might concern me and therefore being desirous to understand what was said I arose and went down Stairs to their Chamber door and laying my ear thereto I could hear her tongue utter these words In good truth now Husband if you humour your Son in this manner you will undo him and your self too for if he find that he can thus rule you he will stay with no Master you can put him to nay and he will run out and make you pay for it he will weary you Is it not far better to pack him away to Sea for he will never do well with any Master here do you think that he will serve out his time with any Master that would not stay where he was so well used Let him to Sea I say the Sea and the Gallows refuse none let him bite on the Bridle he deserves it If my other Husband had not been ruled by me in the disposing and ordering of his Son he would have destroied his Estate and broke his heart too but he took my counsel and sent him to Sea and then when he came back he was content with any thing You have been continued she at the charge to put him to Apprentice and gave a good portion with him that is lost and now he is ready for another for who will take him without Money and he will stay at another place as many nights as days and then you will be to seek again and be continually troubled with him My Father had lain still and given her the full hearing of all she had uttered and so had I too but not without cursing her for a dissembling hypocritical Gypsie but she having done my Father then made this reply But Lamb you mistake the matter quite things are not so bad as you suppose them nor my Son as I hope so bad as you think him he was a little wronged at his Masters though he ought not for that cause to have left his service but his Master gain'd little by the Bargain for he hath paid back good part of the Money he had with him and that will be sufficient to place him any where
it too well already replyed the Prisoner and that I must take my last leave of you and all my Friends but let us consider a little replyed Lotarius for I have been thinking of a way to save your Life at this word the Prisoner opened his Eyes and Ears with much earnestness listning to his desired proposition whereupon the other began You are here a Prisoner for Crimes against the State very few know of your Sentence the Goal of himself is ignorant of it now mind what I say continued he yes replyed the poor trembling Prisoner You know continued Lotarius that Prisoners of State do not use to continue here for a short time do you give out that you believe your Imprisonment will be long and say that you will make provision of Wood and Char-coal against the Winter do you but say so and give me liberty to publish it But to what purpose said the Prisoner Why I will go said Lotarius and cause a Collier to come hither with Char-coal who shall bring it into your Chamber and I will engage him for a sum of money that I will give him to resolve when he is here to put on your Cloaths and you shall take his and your face being coloured with the Char-coal you may have free passage for taking you at your return to be the Collier you may pass without any suspition and this I suppose may be done without much difficulty The Collier being willing enough to expose himself to the hazard of the matter for so considerable again the poor Climanthus thought he was at Liberty already as we usually imagine all those things to be easie which we passionately desire and therefore he earnestly entreated and conjured Lotarius that he would promise the Collier all that he had and that he would also be beholding to him for his Life Lotarius went now to seek a Collier and made choice of one that was young without a beard and had short hair and having a sack of Coals on his back hired him to go with him to the Tower where he being as I told you very well acquainted with the Goalor he recounted the whole story to him and that his whole intention was to put our Prisoner into a great fear praying him to assist him in the design and to let him come out in the Colliers Cloaths without taking any notice of it The Goalor who would deny him nothing knowing he was seized on by his order agreed to what he requested he therefore went up with the Collier into the Chamber and there caused them with all expedition to exchange Cloaths But Climanthus had a great beard a large Perriwig and some Locks of his own and all these he must part from or else he could not be like the Collier and so might be in danger to be discovered These objections the Prisoner soon cleared by consenting to part from all and to do or suffer any thing else that was thought convenient so they plaid the Barber themselves and not only so but they discoloured his face with Charcoal and now he was so like the Collier in every point that there was no doubt but he might pass all the Guards without the least suspition He being thus fitted marched on he passed the first and second Guards without examination but at the third the Goalor being minded to further the design of his Friend and double the fear of the Prisoner stop'd him saying but let us look is not this one of our Prisoners Judge whether the poor Prisoners heart did not ake for fear of discovery but he was in a little better taking when another replyed no no this is the very Collier that passed by us not long since let him go then said the Goalor and so he did with all convenient speed but having resolved to make towards his Lords House and secure himself there and it being at a considerable distance he was doubtful if he went so far on foot he should run very great hazard of being discovered wherefore he thought best to take a Boat and therefore hied him to the stairs but there he was put into mortal apprehensions of danger for a parcel of Gentlemen that were there on purpose said to one another look you that Collier is very like Climanthus This gave him great fear and with much trembling he entred the Boat and the Gentlemen still continuing their Discourse and pointing to him he doubting they might betray him cryed to them For the Lords sake hold your Tongues The Boat putting off in short time he was arrived at the watering place belonging to his Lords House where he Landed and walking towards the House he there saw the Noblemen several of his Friends and Attendants who being acquainted with the design waited there in expectation of his coming Consider him then in a Colliers Habit his face all black his Muschatoes cut off and thus shamefully disguised approaching the presence of his Lord Climanthus seeing him cryed out Save my Life my Lord. The Lord seeming not to understand him forbid him entrance into his House saying Whither goes this Rascal Ah my Lord said he I am Climanthus save my life I beseech you At this the Lord seemed astonished and surprised but calling him to mind asked him the reason of his disguise which he told him in great fear and trouble whilst the Auditors who were acquainted with the story took as much pleasure and dyed almost with laughter But the end of the Adventure was this that his fear put him into a Fever which kept him three moneths in his bed and Chamber out of which he durst not go till his Beard and Hair were grown again At length he knew the whole story whereupon he talked of being revenged on Leander and Lotarius but his Friends told him there was no reason for it because he gave the first offence and that he could not be justly offended if they had out-witted him in their Revenge In fine the Friends of all sides made peace and reconciled them together and I think that this conceit exceeded that of the Clyster and that Leander was doubly Revenged If the Law of Retaliation had been studied Climanthus had hard measure because he was put in great fear of his life when as all that was intended against the other was but the fowling of his linnen If the Law of Retaliation was considered it may be it was in this point that as the one would be necessitated to foul his linnen by the effects of the Clyster so the other would be in the same case or as bad by the effects of his fear Whether his fear produced such effects I know not but I think it was very considerable and raised to the greatest and highest pitch for a man to be clapt into Prison and detained there without the liberty of being visited by Friends would certainly produce much fear and trouble but to be told that his very life was in hazard would much raise it and
therefore I withdrawing to my Quarters went to Bed there I ruminated and considered with my self what I should do and it was long e're I could fix upon any thing I had my pocket pretty well furnished with Money and as long as that lasted I resolved to continue my Ramble and not knowing whither to go for I was no great Traveller having never been above three Miles from London except to Windsor as aforesaid and therefore I concluded to go thither again and it may be as my mind served to go a little further I had been there lately before but it was on foot but now I intended to go Gentleman like on Horseback I told the Cook my Landlord of my Design and he knowing I had no business there wondered at me but he considered that as I was upon the Ramble I was never out of my way I had told him of my purpose because I would have him get me a Horse or pass his word for one but he not knowing my intent and doubting that I might wander further and it may be sell the Horse and so leave him the Horse to hold to pay for a Horse he desired to be excused he told me that I needed not have any body pass their words for me since I had a Watch in my Pocket which would be a very good pawn and that never shames his Master and if I would leave that he would speak to a friend to furnish me with a pretty Nag I was vext to think I must part with my Watch my pride for that was my best Gentility but such a desire I had to be a Cock horse that I consented and then going to his friends Stable we agreed all matters thus I gave twelve shillings for the use of the Horse for six days for so long I supposed to stay out and left my Watch for security of the Horse which I suppose was worth about fifty shillings so that what would come the owner was sure to lose nothing if I staid longer than six days I was to pay further two shillings a day And thus was I fitted with a Horse and I reckoned that if I staid out to spend all my Money yet I had a Watch at my return would yield me more and these being my thoughts and resolves the next day I began my journey I mounted nimbly and rod on couragiously but whether the Cook for some ends of his own gave intelligence or how it hapned I know not but I was prevented of my journey for alighting in a Street in London at a Milliners Shop to buy me some Ribbonds for my Hat I let my horse stand at the Door but he was soon seized on for my Father took hold of his Bridle and gave it to my Brother a Boy that was at hand and seized me fast by the Arm. CHAP. IX He is discharged from his Master descants upon that Action describes the cunningness and hypocrisie of his Mother-in-law and is placed with a second Master ANd now Reader judge you if I was not in a pitiful pickle and if I did not think my self to be in a sad condition the truth on 't is I expected my Father would first have fallen about my ears and buffeted me soundly then send for a Constable and drag me to my Masters with a hundred Boys at my heels for I saw some such kind of cattle some of the young fry gather about the door and then carry me before a Justice send me to Bridewel all these things and worse came into my head so that I thought before night I should be beating Hemp. All this I expected and indeed well deserved but to prevent it my whole study was to give my Father the slip and shew him a pair of heels but there was no need of any of all this matters went much better than I thought on for my Father was in a good humour and not at all so passionate as I supposed for as I said he taking me by the arm led me further into the Shop and then he thus began Son whither in Gods Name are you going is not your Ramble done yet sure you should be weary of this course of life fie fie Son I am ashamed to think you should have so little Wiâ— or Grace to give me so much trouble to hunt after you in this manner These were the words which he in very moderate manner spake to me and theâ— he was silent expecting my answer But I because I could not give a good or a wise Answer gave none but continuing silent he proceeded Do you think you have not done well and wisely in leaving your Master in this manner can you give me any reason for it I hearing him proceed thus moderately thought it would not be amiss to say somewhat and therefore I replyed That I had reason enough to leave my Master because I was abused and wronged Well said my Father suppose you were wronged must you be your own Judge and because things were amiss must you make them worse by these unlawful courses it is not well done indeed but come said he I 'le see and set all to rights if I can if you will be ruled by me all may be well again My Father by this time had with his sober and tender expressions so mollified me that I could hardly forbear putting finger in eye which he seeing and finding me flexible again asked me if I would be ruled by him Yes Sir said I Well then said he you shall go home with me and I will take a time to go to your Master I hearing that I might go to his house and not to my Masters was well enough contented and so my Father and I walked homewards and my Brother by my Fathers directions went with the Horse from whence he came so that I did verily believe that the Cook my Landlord had betraied me I went home with my Father where I had not much said to terrifie or affright me My Mother in law telling me that she was glad to see me and all was as fair and smooth as could be I having eaten and drunk with them at convenient times went to Bed it was then when I was alone that I had time to consider what condition I was in and the consideration of it very much troubled me But however my Father being so fair I intended to leave all to his discreet management I have several times since considered the great fear I was in all the time of my Ramble of meeting with my Master or Father no deep indebted and almost bankrupt Citizen could be in greater fear of a Serjeant or Bailiff I went no where if in the day time but I had my eyes every way I looked fore-right and on each side me and oftentimes behind me if any person brushed by me my heart was presently at my Mouth thinking that it was one of them that came to seize me if I heard any making haste after me I mended my pace
Climanthus when ever they met with him and also he told the Goalor that a Prisoner would be brought him that should be kept very close and none permitted to see or speak with him but by his order The Corporal having sure notice to find Climanthus it was not long ere he seized him it was no hard matter for him to do so because he suspected nothing but being taken he demanded the cause of his Imprisonment he was answered that he should know that time enough when he came to his Tryal He being thus caught was forced to go with them to the Tower where the Goalor being in expectation of him readily received him and put him into the place where he had designed Poor Climanthus knew not who to apply himself unto he ruminated on many things but could not suspect for what cause he had been Apprehended after he had been there about an hour Lotarius who was well acquainted with Climanthus being as he pretended his particular friend came to to visit him in Prison At the first sight he appeared mighty sad and astonisht saying Dear Friend what is the meaning of this I just now understood that you were a Prisoner and therefore all business being laid aside I came to know the cause and to make a tender to you of my utmost service Oh Friend said Climanthus I protest I know not for what cause I am Apprehended If it be a Money business said Lotarius command all that I have and if the summ be great I have considerable Friends that shall furnish me No no replyed the other certainly it is not for that I owe none but a little to my Landlord and I know he would lend me upon occasion all that he hath have you beaten any body said Lotarius no said he but somewhat is the matter you are said Lotarius very Prodigal in your Discourse and do not when you are entred care what you say have you not in your usual Railleries been accustomed to say somewhat against the Protector the present Government or against the Lieutenant here I know you are a little too Lavish upon that account and you know that in this Age the very thoughts against the Government are criminal and a word against the Protector being Treason is present death At this word he was as pale as Ashes for being a Cavalier and that a bold one he had not spared to speak what he thought against the Government and after a little pause beleiving himself Guilty he putting his hand to his Mouth and lifting up his Eyes cryed out I am undone this must be the cause If it be so said Lotarius all that I can do is but to pitty you because you know that you are in hands of those that will shew none especially upon such an Offence as yours is I therefore will leave you at present and see if I can serve you better abroad then here I will therefore go and inform my self and return to acquaint you of my knowledge and then you may consider wherein I can serve you Hereupon our Prisoner was left alone who did now certainly beleive that the Protector or Leiuetenant had caused him to be Apprehended and that he should be in very great danger of his life Lotarius being resolved to be fully Revenged on him for the Abuse he had done his Friend found out a Parson who had been used in such Cases to Administer Spiritual comfort to Condemned persons and prepare them for Death He tells this Parson that there was a poor Gentleman of his intimate Acquaintance without any Formality of Justice was Condemed to have his Head Cut off and that he was to be Executed that Evening his Crime being only for speaking against those persons that had the Reins of Government in their Power that the poor Gentleman himself did not know of his Sentence and very few others that he would be very much surprised at the News of it and therefore he desired him to Visit him and prepare him in the best manner he could to receive his Death This Doctor being used to these affairs being told his Name and the place where he was Prisoner promised to go to him presently But Lotarius went before him and entring the Prison seemed by his Countenance to be very much troubled Oh dear Friend said he I judged right enough for I understand that it is Oliver himself that is your Enemy it is he that you have been too free with and thereby angred him so highly that there is no Pacification what am I Accused of said Climanthus I know not in Particular said Lotarius but I could a hundred times easier have brought you off if you had killed twenty men then for this Crime against this All-powerful Person and you know in this case I dare not speak on your behalf What then said the other in a desperate tone Must I dye then at this word the Doctor entered and hearing what he had said replyed and why not my good Friend consider that our good Lord himself was much more innocent and he suffered Death This discourse was very terrible to our poor Prisoner which Lotarius seeing said I pray comfort him whilst I walk out and acquaint my self further with his Affairs He being now alone with the Doctor who was deceased by Lotarius as I have told you he said to him my Friend it is no time now to trifle and dream of the affairs of this World you must prepare your self for Death you have not above two or three hours to live you are condemned At these words the poor Climantus was so surprised that he could not open his mouth but being come to himself he cryed out aloud and by these passionate sallies he made it evident that he was not in his right senses The Doctor seeing that and being expert in these affairs endeavoured by little and little to bring him to his Wits telling him that this life and all the enjoyments of it were nothing in comparison of Eternity and such kind of Divinity he urged to him as is usual in such cases and wherewith I not being of that function am not so well acquainted but let this suffice to tell you that with much pains he somewhat pacified him and brought him into a condition and temper more fit to be wrought upon At his second visit which he promised him should be within an hour advising him in the mean time to examine his Conscience and thus he left our poor Prisoner more than half dead so that the Executioner should have the less to do to finish his business Lotarius having thus put the poor Climanthus into these mortal apprehensions did not think that his Revenge had as yet gone far enough but was resolved to proceed further in it but so as that Evening should put a period to it where again entring the Prison and fetching a deep sigh he said Ah dear Friend I am come to tell you the sad news of your Condemnation I know