Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/260

254 with Lewis Baboon, and let Nicholas Frog, linendraper, manage his concerns; that they could neither make shoes nor clothes to any, that were not in good correspondence with their worthy friend Nicholas."

J. B. Call Andrew my journeyman. How go affairs, Andrew? I hope the devil has not taken possession of thy body too.

A. No, sir; I only desire to know what you would do if you were dead.

J. B. Just as other dead folks do, Andrew. — This is amazing! [Aside.

A. I mean if your nephew shall inherit your estate?

J. B. That depends upon himself. I shall do nothing to hinder him.

A. But will you make it sure?

J. B. Thou meanest, that I should put him in possession, for I can make it no surer without that; he has all the law can give him.

A. Indeed possession, as you say, would make it much surer; they say, it is eleven points of the law.

[ John began now to think that they were all enchanted; he inquired about the age of the moon; if Nic. had not given them some intoxicating potion, or if old mother Jenisa was still alive? "No, o' my faith," quoth Harry, "I believe there is no potion in the case, but a little aurum potabile. You will have more of this by and by." He had scarce spoke the word, when another friend of John's accosted him after the following manner:

" Since those worthy persons, who are as much " concerned