Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/255

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Remains to be deducted out of the former account.

Paid by Nic. Frog, for his share of the ordinary expenses of the suit To Hocus for entries of a Rege inconsulto To John Bull's nephew for a Venire facias, the money not yet all laid out The coach-hire for my wife and family, and the carriage of my goods during the time of this lawsuit For the extraordinary expenses of feeding my family during this lawsuit To major Ab. To major Will.

And summing all up, found due upon the balance by John Bull to Nic. Frog 09 04 06

J. B. As for your Venire facias, I have paid you for one already; in the other I believe you will be nonsuited. I'll take care of my nephew myself. Your coach-hire and family charges are most unreasonable deductions; at that rate, I can bring in any man in the world my debtor. But who the devil are those two majors, that consume all my money? I find they always run away with the balance in all accompts.

N. F. Two very honest gentlemen, I assure you, that have done me some service. To tell you plainly, major Ab. denotes thy greater ability, and major Will, thy greater willingness to carry on this lawsuit. It was but reasonable that thou shouldst pay both for thy power and thy positiveness. J. B.