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 such books, and observe such facts, and think such thoughts, as would eternally be making him change sides!

Now, my father, as I told you last year, detested all this.—He pick'd up an opinion, Sir, as a man in a state of nature picks up an apple.—It becomes his own,—and if he is a man of spirit, he would lose his life rather than give it up.

I am aware, that Didius the great civilian, will contest this point; and cry out against me, Whence comes this man's right to this apple? ex confesso, he will say,—things were in a state of nature.—The apple, as much Franks apple, as Johns. Pray, Mr. Shandy, what patent has he to shew for it? and how did it begin to be his? was it, when he set