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that his hapless daughter in some inadvertent moment might have blasphemed either the wooden Virgin Mary, or the great high-priest of Rome, or the holy inquisitors, in which case he gave her up for lost, and doomed her to fall a sacrifice. Yet could he scarcely forgive the rigour of that religion, which had in such a merciless manner ravished her from his fond embrace.

It was not long after this an Armenian merchant, said to be newly arrived in Syracuse, called on him, under pretence of buy ing a large assortment of goods. Generous and unsuspecting Bellarius bid him welcome to his house during his stay; which be after some seemingly modest apologies thankfully accepted. The pretended Armenian perceiving Bellarius to eat but little at supper, now and then inadvertently to slip a sigh, took occasion to rally him in a friendly manner, as if troubled with the hyp', advised him to cheer up and hope for better times.

Bellarius having but little relish for a jest, seriously replied, "No, sir, the hyp' is not my present disease, neither have my affairs in trade taken an adverse turn; and yet there is one thing, which gives me great distress." The friendly Armenian was now more importunate to know his grievance, that he might at least sympathize with him in his affliction. Little suspecting that he was conflicting with priestly subtilty, he thought he might safely lodge his circumstances in the generous bosom of a merchant; he replied, "Sir, I suppose you are a stranger in Syracuse; as such let me advise you, as you value your life and liberty, to be careful of your words, and every part of your deportment during your abode, for this is a place of danger. I have, sir, one only daughter, the perfect image of her lovely mother, whom I had the misery to bury but a few months ago. I know not by what temptation, but my poor girl has said something dishonourable either of the lady of Loretto, his holiness the pope, or their lordships the inquisitors, for which she is imprisoned in the holy office, and I suppose must answer it with her life."

"Oh, sir, I hope not," said the Armenian, "the lady's youth will intercede for her, and after some gentle admonition, your daughter will be returned to the house of her father."

"Ah, sir!" rejoined disconsolate Bellarius, "I cannot but fear, that her youth and beauty, are her greatest enemies and accusers. These are qualities capable of impressing the heart even of an inquisitor. If this is the case, my poor daughter is already either dead or debauched. Or should it happen that any thing has been alledged against her religious conduct, there are instruments enough in the inquisition, and their lordships want not skill to use them; instruments sufficient to make an helpless virgin confess that which even never entered her thoughts: so that at all events her death or dishonour is ensured. No, sir, it

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is not possible for me to hope for better, seeing the least hint thrown out against the inquisition, is condemned as unpardonable blasphemy."

It was not long after this discourse, before the Armenian feigned a necessity of going out; went straight to the inquisition and made information, being a jesuit disguised as a merchant, and that very night a coach was sent to conduct Bellarius to the cells of their dreadful prison. Next day his effects were seized by order of the holy fathers, who now rejoiced that at last they had grasped the long wished-for prey. Confined in an abominable cell, he was greatly annoyed by vermin; and being divers times examined by torture, he died with grief for his daughter, who, as she could never freely yield to the loathsome embrace of those murderers, in a few months tired their patience. Then one of their sanctified ruffians first murdered her, and then burned her to ashes in the dry pan. It is amazing, gentlemen, to what lengths the lust of money and women will carry men.

FAST. Indeed, cousin, I think your friends the inquisitors bid fair for equalling the most subtle of our fraternity. Oh, what means of procuring wealth have you taught their reverences of the Romish hierarchy? Selling of dispensations and pardons, begging of money for masses, &c. &c. are profitable articles, and turn to a good account. But if I remember right, you told me a few days since, your vassals are divided into several companies, or communities, and that people of all kingdoms, ranks, and professions, are at this day worshippers of the god Avaro. I should be glad to hear something farther about them.

AVAR. I did so, sir, and shall be ready farther to oblige you, if to give you a brief view of our corporation, which like all other towns corporate, consists of divers companies, will do it. The first of which is that of

The lawyers. A very wise set of gentlemen; who exceed the children of light, in the art of money-getting, as far as any of the inhabitants of our territories; of course they are held in great estimation, as gentlemen of the first intelligence. In our city of Avarice, there is no knowledge deemed of any avail; no conduct accounted virtuous besides that of money-getting. He is always the wisest, best, and most virtuous man who best succeeds in the lucrative art, whether in law, or in trade, or otherwise. There was a time, you know, when the law was as straight, as clear as a beam of light, and needed no expounding, so that every man was his own counsellor. But ever since the kings of England were kept prisoners under a guard, lest truth should become familiar to the royal ear, the case has been quite altered; now it is so full of pleas and demurrers, doubts and exceptions, &c. that it is a perfect labyrinth; dangerous for an honest man to enter. For in the lawyers' company it is a standing rule, that whether the plaintiff or defendant lose the cause, the lawyers on

both sides are sure to be considerable gainers. Indeed, it is very seldom but they manage the matter so that all parties except themselves are losers, and if he who gains the trial finds himself in the end a loser, how do you think it must fare with the wretch against whom the verdict is given? If an honest man has a mind to purchase an estate ever so fairly, and pay for it ever so hónestly, he will find it a difficult matter so to secure his title; but if any succeeding heir be bred to the law, or heiress be married to a lawyer, he may run a risk of being jostled out of his property by some knavish quirk in the law, without any allowance made either for the estate or its improvements.

Indeed, sir, it may be said of my faithful disciples, the lawyers, attornies, bailiffs, &c. that they pay as little regard to truth as the greatest of ourselves. Right and wrong, equity and oppression, are no objects of their regard, providing the case will yield good advantage, and bring large grist to their mill; an instance of this, if you please, gentlen. n, I shall give you.

Contumelius was a Yorkshire gentleman, of distinguished birth and ample fortune, but somewhat a-kin to the mad Macedonian. His country seat stood by the side of a lane through which neighbouring farmers passed with their teams for time immemorial. But so much passing and repassing of the whistling clowns following their waggons, at last proved very offensive to the worshipful Squire, so that he resolved to remove the intolerable nuisance by blocking up the way. A gate was accordingly put up, and fastened with a padlock, effectually to stop the clownish passengers from passing as before, and turn them by a way considerably more distant.

As soon as the Squire's proceedings reached the ear of Mr. Loveright, a neighbouring farmer, he ordered his waggon to drive directly to the gate, and finding it locked, took an axe which he had brought with him for that purpose, and to the great mortification of Squire Contumelius hewed it to pieces. His worship in a rage posted to Mr. Deceitful, a very eminent lawyer in the neighbouring town, for his advice. The worthy lawyer finding this a proper occasion of serving his own interest, advised the Squire to send for a writ, and commence an action against the farmer for his intolerable insolence. In a few days the writ was served on Loveright, who immediately waited on lawyer Deceitful, in order if possible to compromise the matter.

He no sooner entered the office, than Mr. Deceitful took him aside, and thus addressed him, "I am heartily sorry, my good Mr. Loveright, that I have been in a manner obliged by his worship Contumelius, to send for a writ against you. But I assure you, sir, in my opinion your side of the question is by much the safest, and might I advise you, it would be to stand a trial, and by no means submit to a compromise." Knowing the farmer to be a man of substance and resolution, continued ke, "There is

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