First, for the Borrower.

I Will first shew who be the most notable sort of Borrowers and Booke-men.

Next, what method euery one holds in his [Page 2] seuerall way of Borrowing and Booking.

Then their seuerall cause of failing and insol­uencie.

Next, their sundrie waies and weapons, with which they fence with their Creditors.

Next, their noted places of refuge and retire­ment.

Then their Iubilies and daies of Priuiledge.

Lastly, the certaine markes of a conscious cau­tious Debtor, with the Martiall discipline of the Mace, according to the Moderne practise of these daies.

Next for the Creditor.

I Will first shew the charitable extent of the Cre­ditors curtesie.

Then his Mystery of Multiplication.

Next, how the Oyster caught the Crow. The hand in the booke bred the wind-collicke in the ware-house.

And then how that wind being not able to force a passage thorow the cauernes of his credit, shakt the very foundation of his shop-boord, threatning a most sudden, strange, and stormie eruption.

Next, the signes fore-running the wonderfull cracke.

Then the Reparation of the decayed man.

And lastly, the singular comfort which the Common-wealth receiued by him, when he was sent forth for current out of his Creditors mint, [Page 3] with a new impression and a second edition.

And of these in order.

The chiefe and most notable Borrowers are,

The Courtier, that neither cares for the call of the Counting-house, nor the Checke of the Chamber.

The Innes of Court-man that neuer was Stu­dent.

The country Gentleman no Hospitall house­keeper.

The citie gallant that neuer arriued at his free­dome by seruice.

The Courtiers method followes.

FIrst he invites his Creditor, to a dish of Court-Ling, with Masculine mustard plenty.

Then shewes him the priuie lodgings, and the new banquetting house.

Perhaps the Robes next.

Then the great Magolls tent in the Wardrobe: And so much serues for the first meeting, and to procure an appetite to the second.

To the second meeting our Creditor is summo­ned, and brings behinde him his wife, like to a bro­ken wicker glasse bottle hanging at his taile, and en­ters into the Masking roome.

Whereat the Courtiers skill in deliuering of the Maskers names, vnder their seuerall disguises, did purchase an euerlasting and indissoluble citie-con­sanguinitie with his female charge, ouer whom the more sleepy hir spouse, the more vigilant was my cousen courtier.

[Page 4] And now he hath made his partie strong enough to visit my citizen, and to borrow and take vp of him at his owne home, in the most familiar phrase that can bee deuised for such like vse and purpose.

Then for the quickning, continuing, and enlar­ging of his credit, our Courtier pretends how he has receiued newes that his feign'd kinred is very sicke: and thereupon a takes occasion (in stead of venison) to send her a bottle of that famous and farre fetcht frontineack: He bids himselfe to dinner the same day, and there in a cursorie way of commending the excellent art of man, in matter of Manufacture, he falls by chance vpon the remembrance of an extraordinarie stuffe which hee saw a great perso­nage weare lately in Court, not doubting but that his cousens shop did afford the like: His purpose was to haue a suit of the same very shortly, if they would but lay it by for him till his moneyes came in: Yet with a very little intreaty so cleanly ex­prompted, he was perswaded to take it along with him, but onely for feare lest the whole peece might be sold by the foolish foreman vnawares before his returne.

The Innes of Court-man, and his Method.

FIrst hee makes himselfe acquainted with the Creditor, by going to him in company with one who is a knowne customer there, and an ap­proued good pay-master.

Then he procures this knowne customer to take the man of credence (as it were) modestly apart, and at his backe while he is walking downe the shop and auersed, to whisper, That this gentleman whom you see here, is sonne and heire to that wor­thy Knight so potent in the Peake, or that most markable Malster of much Marlborne: Or the great Grasier of Grymsborow, or the like. Then he returnes to the vpper end of the shop, and the Master takes an occasion to call to Thomas to giue the Gentleman a stoole, and tels him that he knowes his friends very well: The ancient Mannor house, and the Mill and goodly meadowes a little beneath in the bottome: adding further, that no doubt but if he please the good old Gentleman, hee may in time be owner of them all himselfe.

Be owner? saies mine Innes of court man. Why I tell you, that water-mill came by my mother, with all the medowes of that Leuell: And my Father would hang himselfe he cannot giue them away from me.

And whereas you say I may be owner in time, I thinke the old man has held them long enough: vn­lesse you would make his time endlesse, and him a very wandring Iew. I wis my Grandfather seru'd [Page 6] not him so, he knew what he did when he died. He did it out of true iudgement, in fulnesse of vnder­standing, able to penne his owne will himselfe, when he was no longer seruiceable to his coun­try, he would not liue onely to mend the fire, or preserue it by applying euery circumstant cinder within his reach: but though I pinch for it a while, a time (I hope) may come.

Whereat my Creditor interrupting him, saies, alas you pinch for it? That shall not need (God be thanked) your credit is worthy to bee ranckt in a shop booke, cheeke by iowle with any debitory disposed Gentleman of this towne whatsoeuer. Besides, if you would be loth to haue your name extant in so publike a Repertory, you are able by such estate as is inseparably annexed to your per­son to giue farther assurance (I doe but speake it if need were) by other waies, and otherwise at your pleasure.

Further assurance (replies my Gallant) A pox on't: For assurance they shall haue what they will: And for price of any thing, it is my desire they should gaine by me, yea they shall gaine by mee: For o­therwise how should you be able to liue by it?

Now sir, you speake like an honest Gentleman (saies he againe) I would all our customers were of your minde, there bee too few such as you are; if you haue need of any thing here, either for your wearing, or else for conuersion, wherein I hope you conceiue me sir, it is at your command.

Hereupon the man of the sword sweares that [Page 7] he shall not out-doe him in noblenesse; Had hee robbed the Statuaes of the new Standard of all their royall resolutions. He vowes to returne thi­ther againe, and that speedily: To bring his Tailor with him aduisedly; To take vp for diuers vses with much facility, and to giue assurance according to the direction of his owne Scriuener, a Bow lane most legally.

And so leaue we him like a horse put vp to diet, whereby to be prepared to runne his traine sents on the deepest ground of assurance, that City counsell can finde out or deuise.

The Country Gentleman, his Method.

THe country Gentleman, hee is by this time come vp to London; and has brought his Atturney with him, one that professes the taking vp of money by writ of right. His Atturnie brings him to the ship behinde the Exchange, and leaues him there while he goes to fetch the onely Noue­rint in those parts, whom he prepares at his shop with the purpose, aduising him withall in his eate, so to handle the matter in hall, that beards may wag all, which he deliuered with a most familiar wrin­ging of him by the hand, to insinuate his meaning as vnto his share: He then brings the Scriuener vnto the Tauerne, good compliance is in all parties, [Page 8] and the Scriuener according to the true practice of the most of them, at the first meeting, especially while they are with the borrower in a Tauerne, was more easie in promising, then they in pro­posing.

The atturney then softly tels the Gentleman apart, that he should doe well to bespeake sup­per instantly, assuring him that if hee could but fasten that courtesie vpon the Scriuener for the pre­sent, he were their owne for euer after, neither the summe nor the securitie could be matter of any difficulty.

The counsell was held wholsome as vnto the sup­per, the Atturney was forthwith preferd to the barre, where hee spake so learnedly in the cause, that vpon the same hearing, they recouered three full dishes on their side, the boyes drew the procee­ding of the businesse very Clarke-like, the Kitchin­maid supplied with a Tales. The Mistresse call'd earnestly for the Postea, and the master hee rated and allowed the bill of costs.

At the execution whereof, my Scriuener fea­ring left the shot should disperse and scatter it selfe amongst them, while the Gentleman was fee­ling for money to discharge it; he to facilitate that hand, askes him softly in his eare; What is the summe that hee would haue? Then suspecting the long dwelling of his hand in the pocket, he tels him, He shall haue what summe he will: Let mee see, saies the Scriuener, there comes in this night of Sir Sam van Skynkers money, fiue hundred, and to morrow [Page 9] as much more I can supply you from one hundred to ten out of that as your occasions require; how say you?

We will haue no drie reckoning replies the Gen­tleman: Heere's the full summe of the bill and a pottle ouer; Though we be Leicester-shire fed, yet we be not Brackly bred, I assure you.

And for the summe which I should (or at least would haue) for especiall occasions, Let me see: There is a horse-race at Northampton on Munday come seuenight; I must needs haue new furniture for Cropeare, which I will send downe by Leicester Waggon.

I will haue that Hawke which I saw in South­warke this afternoone: clothes would doe well: But thats my least care of a thousand. A poxe a pride I say.

Howsoeuer I must see the party I told you of by the way, before I goe out of towne, by any meanes if shee keepe the same lodging and the same name that she was wont to doe: thats all now. Lets see, A matter of some three hundred will doe't, so farre forth as my present and most vrgent occasions doe presse me at this instant:

They are nothing so important and concerning as the least of these: I would not misse Munday come seuennight for three such summes, I tell you Sir: Munday come seuennight! That were a iest in­deed.

For that and what you please beside, saies the Scriuener, you shall finde no default on my partie: This honest Gentleman that is with you knowes the course of these kinde of businesses: He and I shall take care of you wheresoeuer you dispose or repose your selfe: And so with thanks for your costs and kindnesse, I shall take my leaue at this time.

The Scriuener departs, and the Gentleman staies behinde, onely to hugge and endeare the endow­ments of him that procured this meeting: He prai­ses the prosperity of their iourney, commends the comely cariage of the Scriuener, and vowes euer­lasting acknowledgement of his Atturneys actiui­ty. And so they betake themselues to their lod­ging likewise for that night.

The next morning my Gentleman sends his At­turny to see that the money which he spake for, be told out and made ready for him against his com­ming, which should be when and where it shall please the honest Scriuener. (For by this time he had attained so much of reputation among them.)

The same day and the next were both spent in continuall quest of the Scriuener. But the Boyes in [Page 11] the Shop according to their masters direction made answer, one while that he was gone to Sir Sam for moneys: Another while that he was at the sealing of writings at such a place: Then that he was at the speeding of a commission of Bankeruptisme at Guild-hall, God blesse the place and euery good man of the Grand Iury: And then shortly after, that he was but euen now gone forth, and that it was impossible but that he should meet him, vn­lesse the dust of Popes-head Alley had put out his eies by the way.

The time weares out, & the horse-race comes on­ward, the apprehension whereof puts our Gentle­man into such a perpassion, that on the next day early in the morning he goes to the Scriueners shop, where sodainly and vnawares he finds him saying his praiers, while he was withall crosse garte­ring of himselfe; and had he not knowne him bet­ter by his crosse-garters than by his praiers, questi­onlesse he had lost his labour.

Godmorrow (saies the Gentleman) perhaps I doe disturb your deuotion?

You Rascall, how chance you doe not hang out the Labells? (saies the Scriuener to his boy.) Then he proceeds with his praiers, and suddenly bespeaks the Gentleman, asking, What is your will with me Sir? Haue you any businesse with me I pray now?

O Lord Sir, (saies he) I hope you remember what past betweene vs at the Ship on wednesday night last, touching the three hundred which I was [Page 12] indeed to haue the next morning, parcell of the thousand which was to come in then.

Hum (saies the Scriuener) I thinke there was some such matter: I remember we talked of it: But what were the names of your security which you did then giue me?

For names (replies he) why I gaue you none, for I conceiued it should not need: Or if it doe, you shall haue lands that for seat, and site, value, and Virgin title, shall beare and ballance your mor­gage downe to the center.

Now you come to me (saies the Scriuener) goe you two to the Antwerp, but only to prepare me a particular of this land, and I will be with you pre­sently.

They goe before the particular is made ready. The wine is burnt, the Scriuener with much paine has past through his praiers, and recouers the Ta­uerne do ore, by that time he was come to (Amen.) He returnes to his old complement, pockets the Particular which they deliuer him, and puts all vn­kindnesse into this cup; He drinks freely, and pro­mises nobly: So that now there was no doubt made but we might be at Northampton most opportune­ly. And so much for that meeting.

After dinner they came both againe to the shop, where they found my Scriuener wrapt warme in his gowne about him, fast asleepe (Good man.) For if euer he were good, he was then good; Or (at least) I am sure he was then and there at the very best of Scriueners good­nesse; [Page 13] the height of their holinesse, and the perfecti­on of their punctuality.

They must by no meanes trouble him before he be fully recouered and enabled for a second meeting at the Mermaid after Exchange time. They attend the while: the clouds of claret shortly spend themselues: he wakens, they salute him.

At length with much adoe hee calls them to re­membrance, and askes them for their particular: they shew the errour in his pocket, and so he pro­mises their dispatch the next morning without any faile, and they are gone to bespeake furniture for Cropeare in the meane time. At the appointed houre my Atturnie comes to know if the writings were ready to seale, and the money proportioned into seuerall hundreds, in so many seuerall bagges or no.

The Scriuener replies, that it should be forth with prepared accordingly, so as they should bring good city security with them, but only to vndertake for the property and transparancie of the title of the Lands so tendred, and that was all should need for the matter, procuration being euer prouided for, and writing taken to estimation according to the repate of the place where it was to bee written, and that was all that was now remaining to be considered of on the Gentlemans behalfe. This new taske re­quired more time in possessing and perswading of some Citizens his Country-men, who knew him and his lands so well, that it was disputable, whe­ther was more deare and desired vnto them.

[Page 14] They ioyne with him in the security, and become immediatly bound with him by bond for the pay­ment of the money at a certaine day to come, and to the great amazement of the Scriuener, thanke him for this counsaile in aduising and directing them to the cautionary causeway of security both laterally and collaterally, by direct & oblique lines which he most mathematically had imagined and contriued in his head, as well for his owne com­modity as for their indempnity, without deman­ding of any other assurance as yet, and so my Gen­tleman is dispatcht without further tie vpon lands or person hitherto, sauing what is mentally reser­ued vpon the growth of this summe, by these his lo­uing friends and countrimen.

The Citizen, a Redemptionary Freeman, his Method.

THe last, but not the least of these is our city borrower, a hopefull young man (though I say it:)

This City youth, not altogether free by patri­monie, but partly by matrization, is wonderfull cautious of being a borrower vpon record, or in the eye of the world. He will not haue his name ten­dred to a Scriuener by any meanes, while he is yet but easily declining vpon the streame of ready mo­nies, and not in stocke, like the water which though it fall and sinke by the sides, yet runnes vp in the middest with a manifest current long after.

He now studies how to take vp without expres­sion to bee a principall for himselfe, or to be too promptly drawne into security for others. Hee findes out for property for this purpose a young heire, who for a third share of the summe, was content to beare the onely name and blame of bor­rower, and to yeeld to the ensafing of my Citizen, by such counter-bonds, sales and assignments, as by the Scriuener and himselfe, could be deuised to vphold the reputation of a wonderfull wary man.

Can you now call this man a borrower for doing his friend a courtesie? Or is this man in a declensi­on, when it appeares by the booke, that he is in the way of purchasing? No such matter, this cries vp his credit: And howsoeuer these monies be repaid, [Page 16] yet he is sure of the land, which before any insol­uency shall appeare on his party, he does intend to conuey ouer in trust secretly, to the vses of his liue­lihood for the time of restraint to come, and like one that prepares his tombe while he is yet liuing, hee resolues what lodging to take vp on the ma­sters-side, when his credit shall depart this mortall life.

Besides, he had another way of borrowing, hee findes out an old vsurer of the same parish, father to diuers daughters, who catcht at espousall prefer­ment, onely by their fathers countenance, and their concise carriage.

The one of these he singles out from the heard, and pretends most pure and vnfained loue vnto her: He visits her in his gowne at Midsummer, whereat the old man conceiues great ioy and comfort, glo­ries in his grauity, and delights in his decency. He on the other side peceiues the powle-cat in the Pursenet, makes present vse of it. He shewes him the conueiance which the heire made the other day vnto him of all the houses in Conny-hoope-lane a one side; and desires to be furnisht by him with so much as might bring the other side into his proper­tie likewise: for that it was now offered vnto him vpon reasonable conditions, so should bee reduce all (as it were) into a circle, and his daughter should hold that for her Iointer, and haue the euidence in her owne custody.

The old man lik't this passing well, and for feare left the bargaine should be snatcht out of his hand, [Page 17] he takes him into his closet, tells out the monie, and sends him away instantly.

The old man turnes him about, and (pointing at her sweet heart) bespeakes his daughter thus:

There goes he that labours for you most indu­striously, studies your good right carefully, I pray God make you thankfull for him accordingly: For you shall haue a husband (bee it not vainely spo­ken) that for thrift and husbandrie may be the very browch of all the Citie.

In stead of going forthwith vnto his Chapman, for the housing and candle rents, he is housed pre­sently at a widdowes in the way, where he spends his time till candle-light.

Here he likewise protests and professes loue by whole sale: hee shewes her the monies, and tels her what a bargaine he could now haue, if shee would ioine stocke with him in such a commoditie come lately into the Downes with the last East-Indian ships. It might please God that this might be a hap­py occasion of vniting their persons as well as their parcels together.

The Widdow was hereupon taken with such a Sorpego in her wrists, that her fingers ends itcht to be telling out of her part, and to take issue vpon his promise of the vnion, which she performed with much dexterity.

Then he puts all together, and assures her that he will be gone the next tide to Grauesend.

When hee comes home, hee dispatches letters speedily to the old Vsurer, certifying him of his [Page 18] good progression in Connie-hoope-lane, and de­siring his patience for certaine daies, which the con­triuing of his assurance by good and sufficient counsell would take vp.

The time pretended for the Downes, and to draw downe a good estate for his young Mistresse, is vpon better consideration bestowed at Rumford, where whosoeuer had seene him in the lift of his libe­ralitie, would little thinke him to be so little a thing as might bee contained within the compasse of a counting house, or be confined within the prospecti­on of a false light.

Their seuerall cause of insoluency followeth.

THe Courtiers cause is in his conscience: For he neither can nor cares to pay.

The innes of court mans cause is in his Coercence, for he would if he could pay.

The countrie Gentlemans cause is in his confi­dence, for he trusts to his countrie men of the citie, and had rather they then he should pay.

But the citizens cause is in hi [...] complacence.

It pleaseth him so to paie, and he sees no reason why he should goe beyond the rule of conformitie.

He findes good graund Iurie Presidents of fiue shillings in the pound, and it is faire too and suffici­ent soder for the first flaw (by my faith.)

The sundry waies and weapons with which they fence with their Creditors, challenge the next place.

THe longest weapons with which my Courtier keepes his Creditor farthest off, are the winters iournies, and the summers progresse.

And when he is neerer hand, he does keepe them at staues length, by challenging of a priuacy for in­disposition of body, conference with great and ho­nourable Personages, or imploiment in the States wonderfull weighty affaires, when (God wot) the indisposition is for want of cleane linnen.

The conference is with his boy, how to pay the Landresse which detaines it.

And his imployment is in and about the taking of a pipe of Tobacco.

The priuie watergate, and the garden outlet doe well.

And when he findes no remedie but that his Cre­ditor will close and come into him within his wea­pons length, then he sweares that he was euen now about to send for him, had he not preuented him.

He tels him in great secresie how he is in possibi­lity to passe a suit of great worth, only hee wants some money to scatter in fees by the way: For it is [Page 20] to bee vnderstood, that with great Officers the chamber-men weare good clothes, and the doore­keeper has a precious facultie: he shall onely sup­ply with so much as will euen the old summe, and pay himselfe, tot, talia, and tanta, at his owne plea­sure, yea he shall bee a Patentee himselfe, for argu­ment of honest purpose and honourable dealing.

The Iunes of Courts mans weapons.

HIs first weapon is a well-pend Letter, excu­sing his delay by incompetencie of exhibi­tion.

Or by the necessity of attending the reuolution of their Tenants six moneths day of payment, ac­cording to the custome of the Country.

But especially by occasion of his fathers great and dangerous sicknesse (though there were no such matter) for that hee knew was the onely vis­couse matter to belime his Creditor that could bee deuised or applied.

The next weapon, when the former way is stale of assiduity, is his good sword, a watchfull eye and a ready hand.

The last is the deuiation and auoiding of the most frequented passages and streets, and to hold compasse at the halfe point, through the Let­goes [Page 21] of Allies, Tauernes, with backe doores, or by water, as stands with most accommodation.

The Country Gentleman his Weapons.

THis youth (alas) hath neither occasion at the first to practise his defence, nor knowes the vse of the weapon, nor will he be brought to it of a long time; when payment is prefixed to be made to him the said Salomon set in siluer street Lon­don, hee in his better wisdome is betting of all his white money at the Cock-fighting in Couentrie.

And when all comes to all, when farther occasi­on hath drawne him into a farther respectualitie with his vndertakers in London; so that he must ei­ther stand vpon his guard, or lose the Bleane, with all Meadowes, Pastures, Feedings, woods, vnder­woods, and other the appurtenances worth tenne times the monie borrowed:

Then, O then, he lookes out his manly munition.

The ancient sleeping entaile.

The old mothers Ioincture.

The endowment of his wife, adostium Ecclesiae.

All these he brings to his Cutler of Chancerie­lane, and bestowes so much vpon the oile of equi­ty, as will scoure them vp cleanly, and make them fit weapons of defence against all the Cossaques of the City.

The City borrower his fence.

HE handles his weapon with the best grace of them all, his Creditor dares scarce come within his reach, but only aske how he does as he goes by. And if hee doe presume to leaue word with the apprentice boy, that he would haue him tell his Master that he was here to speake with him in the current of his other businesse, it is a bold ad­uenture, and a sawcie presumption taken very cen­soriously by my young. Master at his comming home, especially if hee haue beene at the Renter­wardens feast.

The Cities occasion,

The Companies conuention, and

The parochicall prouision,

These be the things which challenge propriety and prioritie in a comely Citizen, before all other respects whatsoeuer.

He will not discontent the first,

Nor disappoint the second,

Nor disfurnish the last for obseruance of whom­soeuer.

For the monie taken vp of the Scriuener, the interest onely needs to bee paid in as yet: and the Scriuener (to stop his mouth) he shall haue the im­ploiment [Page 23] and benefit to eiect the Tenants of Conie-hoope-lane, and withall he will haue the Scriuener sue the bond both against the heire and himselfe, vpon which he will appeare to suffer iudgements a­gainst both right willingly. (Marry) he shall take execution against the heire only.

For the old Vsurers monie, hee found that the assurance could not be perfected till the next Mi­chalmas terme, for it required the ceremonie of the barre, and before he would debarre his wife of any ceremonie belonging to her, he would be reputed the vnperfectest member that euer ministred in the Cities mysteries.

And for the Widdowes monie bestowed in the Downes, he found the commoditie not so vendi­ble here as beyond the seas, therefore he thought it best to send it into Holland, where it attends the next market, and would not so much as suffer it to touch at our coast.

Their noted places of refuge and retirement follow.

The Iubilees and daies of Priviledge follow.

THe vnparaleld Parliament is the first and of all others the best.

The very Tunc temporis wherein Iupiter hath the full effects of his influence, when he is in his mas­culine house, and in a full aspect (hora optima.)

The next is a time of a raging pestilence: for if the serieants doe not then feare the plague of God hanging ouer their heads, I know not what the de­uill will feare them.

The next is the time wherein my Lord Mayor takes his oath: For then the Serieants and their [Page 34] Yeomen are all at Westminster (hora bona.)

The next is that wherein the Sheriffes are sworne: For in the forenoone the Mace-men attend their ma­sters. At noone they haue enough to doe to wait vpon M ^r. Mayor of Oxfords cups: And in the after­noone it is as much as they can doe to get home.

Other daies of priuiledge are all such wherein they are all generally tied to attend their Sheriffes to Pauls, as that of Christmas day, All-saints day, Candlemas day, the Coronation day, the Pouder-plot, and the fift of August. (hora mediocres) Only take heed how you touch at any Tauerne neere vn­to Pauls after the Sherifes are once set, and vn­till they bee readie to depart, for feare of free­booters.

I cannot say what hope there is in the priuiledge of the Sabboth, but there is great presumption vpon the benefit of those times, wherein the Ser­ieants weare their best Apparell, for I haue obser­ued that they will make bold with their zeale, when they place much matter of conscience in their clothes.

The daies of their Spittle-sermons are especiall good ones: for their Masters and Mistresses being then in coniunction, it requires that they should be double diligent the while.

The daies wherein the great Lords come downe to ociate, or negotiate, eat, or treat with their Ma­sters, are reasonable good.

Whitsonday at the new Church-yard does well, but I am afraid that they will not bee altogether so [Page 35] mad as to be all comprised within the perambula­tion of Bedlam, where I will leaue them at this time: and proceed to

The markes of a Conscious Cautious Debtor, with the discipline of the Mace.

• 1 Vncertainty of meeting.
• 2 Obscurity of walking.
• 3 Variety of lodging.
• 4 Inconstancy of abiding.

The Discipline now offers it selfe, and the Mace is lifted vp, in Terrorem populi.

WIthin London there are two regiments of Mace-men.

[Page 37] The one is incamped in the Poultry.

The other in Woodstreet.

The greater number of them attend their co­lours where they are euer ready to sally vpon the Alarum or signall giuen.

Other of them guard their Collonels person by turnes.

And the rest are appointed and exposed (as fol­loweth.) So many of the best able and most trusty of their Cauallerie, as their seruice requires, espe­cially in terme time, are planted at Chancery lane end, to make good that place, and to cut off such as issue out of the workes on the other side, or come downe from other parts to put themselues vnder the protection of them.

Of these Chancery-lane end men, if the designe doe deserue it, some one or two are drawne out of them, to defeat the passage betweene the middle Temple and the Bell or the Barre-gate, but this is vpon especiall occasion, and therefore seldome at­tempted, but when they haue intelligence of some extraordinary booty, or good pillage comming that way.

Others of them are quartered in Smithfield, where euery Monday, Wednesday and Friday, they stand charg'd with cocke vp, ready to giue fire at euery poore Butcher in the Grasiers quarrell, and these are of their Infantry.

Others are on euery market day commanded for Leaden-hall, where they serue one-day vnder the Tanner, against the shoo-maker, another day vnder [Page 38] the Butcher against the [...]mer, and sometimes for the Scriuener against both.

Others are appointed to other seueralll markets, where rather then they will want entertainment, they will beare armes against the very butter-wiues (enough to make their hearts to melt with the very thought out) the eldest sort of them, such as hold charge, rather for their aduice then their ability, are laid at the Exchange, where though the seruice be daily, and the Nation against whom they serue are all people of great stomacke, meeting euer at din­ner and supper times onely, yet the danger is but small in regard they haue the Country round about to friend.

The only Despervieos among them are seuerally appointed to the seuerall gates, where they scoure and keepe cleere the passage to the Barres, being the vtmost extent of their workes.

They are all right perfect at their Postures: As

Beare your Musket vnder your left arme, id est,

Be sure to touch the prisoner on the sword side.

Pull out your Scowrer, id est,

Draw your Warrant.

Aduance your Pike, id est,

Exalt your Mace.

Cocke your Match, id est,

Enter your Action.

And so for euery posture, Punctually and parti­cularly in his order.

Then for Stratagems of warre, they ride the an­cient discipline, quite dagger out of sheath.

[Page 39] The best that Roman Histories affoord vs, is of that one noble resolution, who to gaine beliefe and credit of the enemy, mangled himselfe, tun­ning out of the gates into their Campe to com­plaine his owne misery and his Countries tyranny, with offer of giuing them vp into the enemies hand, only for actuation of his owne reuenge.

But giue me the plot that conquers at a farre lesse price.

A Porters frocke (a Proiect of excellent car­riage.)

A Lawyers gowne, (Latet quod non patet.)

A Scriueners Pen and Inke-horne (a designe of deeper reach then you are aware on.)

These shall make his passage, sine sanguine & sudore.

This is your only Proiector indeed, whose first ancestor was begot betweene the man i'th Moone, and Tom Lancasters Laundresse, vpon a faire fa­got pile, from whom are descended the only Cho­risters of our counter-quire.

It would doe you good to heare the whole packe of these together, they are so excellent for sent and cry.

But the best mouth'd among them in truth, and for my money, the onely mouth is without Bi­shopsgate.

And the best sented at the vpper end of red­crosse street, iust at the entrance into Golding-lane, into whose sweet bosome I commit them all, and there leaue them.

[Page 40] It may be expected that I should say somewhat of the Discipline of the Bailifes, but especially of those of the Vierge and the Clinkonians.

But some of them haue no Discipline or order at all, and the rest very little.

The poore Pichard cannot out pilfer them in the plaine path-way of their practise, they hold no good quartering with any man, but are more desirous of prey then of lawfull conquest.

The better sort of them goe in bootes without spurres, and they for the most part are bought in Turning-stile lane in Holborne: the Author holds them not worthy his penne, or to be rank't with the men of the mace before mentioned, and there­fore by his good will he will haue nothing to doe with them at any hand.

The Creditors part.

FOr the Debtors part, I am perswaded that our Author hath performed it reasonable well.

But for the other of the Creditor (to say the truth) he hath practised that part very little hither­to, and therefore is very diffident of his abilitie therein.

For the charitable extent of the Cre­ditors curtesie.

VErily this man of Credence doth obserue these principles in all his proceeding of this nature.

First, that he may lend or trust vpon such condi­tions as may tend to the benefit of the Borrower or Debtor chiefly.

Then, that his owne gaine may be moderate.

Then, that there may be Record thereof kept for testimony of his sincere intention, in two or three seuerall bookes at the least.

And lastly, he doth not onely lend or trust, but farther giueth it a blessing, that it may yeeld much increase to the borrower and debter.

The mystery of Multiplication.

TRadition, it is not tollerable but an abomi­nation, and yet our Creditor holds that Ad­dition in the secret of shop-booke may bee very al­lowable.

For so long as he doth onely make vp in credits what he hath lost in stocke, or what is decaid in ne­cessary expences, and not riotously or vainly, seeing the wicked are but vsurpers of the riches of this world, it is lawfull for him with an equall hand to bee carried among his Debtors by way of ap­portionment, [Page 43] to rate and assesse them at his dis­cretion.

He will take no interest, nor wrong his consci­ence for any good, his shop-booke hath hitherto held good name and fame. Heresies may creepe into the Church daily, but neuer into his shop­booke in any wise: there is nothing there but what hath beene deliuered, and his seruants (especially one amongst the rest) will as boldly as any Brew­ers desperate Clarke maintaine and iustifie it: shall he not maintaine his masters mystery, when they are both to be saued by the same faith? Why, he shall put the debtor in minde of the deliuery of euery parcell, with all the circumstances to it, for he re­members it as perfectly, as if it had beene done but yesterday. Now the Debtor beginnes to quarrell the Shop-booke, my Creditor is most iustly incen­sed: And therefore now in the next place

Suppose the tide is now comming in, and the poore Oister gapes for some refection in the moi­sture of it. The Birds of prey (s [...]ilicet) the shop-kee­per the Crow, and the Vsurer the Cormorant: these houer about it, each of them hoping to pull it out of the little [...] where it dwells, and to [Page 44] deuoure it aliue. Hereupon the Cormorant and the Crow contend for the prize: The Crow claimes it as a Stray lost, and left without the bounds of any watry couerture on the dry land at a low ebbe, The Cormorant challenges it neuerthelesse, as being still within his high water-marke; Then the Crow alledges that its so wasted (wanting water) that it is become no better then Carrion, and therefore it does properly belong vnto him. The Cormorant denies that, and assures him that the Oister is yet aliue, and therefore no carrion. But the Crow had giuen so much credit formerly, that he would now scarce beleeue his owne eies (especially in his wifes case) he would by no meanes beleeue this to bee true, and therefore in hope to cousen the Cormo­rant, he desires that he may only feele with his bill whether it were so or no? Leaue is giuen by the Cormorant, who thought it was enough for the Crow to smell vpon the prey, intending that neuer any more should come to his share: Then the Crow who knew how to tickle a Trout at his pleasure, did without assistance of Constable or aduice of Coun­sell, make a most violent entry vpon the Oister, which presently claps to his doore, shuts the Crow within, and caught him so fast by his bill of entry, that all Colchester and the custome-house can testifie to this day, with what vncustomed and vncourte­ous entertainment he was there receiued.

Well might the Crow cry and call for his compa­nion the Cormorant to redeeme him from captiui­ty, [Page 45] but all was in vaine. The doores were shut vp, he could not so much as belch at the key hole, or let out the wind which troubled the warehouse by any meanes forward or backward, the very foundation of the shop and shopbord, were sha­ken with the violence thereof.

Being in this extremity, and so taken with the wind, that nothing applied inwardly could possibly helpe him, he calls for the shop-booke, and beginnes to coniure the collicque with such terrible charmes and incantations, as the like were neuer deuised nor put into any pentacle: Then he raised the great Prince, In primis, out of his Easterne Emperie, with a legion of Items at­tending him.

These two hee sets to taske, and enioynes them to distinguish his Debtors in Spero, from those in Despero, and to deale more plainly with him herein, then Widdowes vse to doe by their Husbands estates in the Court of Orphans, and else-where: They performe his designe instantly, and the greater number appeared to be perdues directly desperate and debilitate, amongst the which my cousin Courtier and my Innes of Court-man were of the number.

The Courtiers suit did long languish and was palliated and vpheld with letters commen­datory, it complain'd much of the disease called the reference, it was a little lightened by a Cor­diall certificat laterly, yet in the end no meanes [Page 46] nor medicine could serue the turne, but of a stopping and obstruction at the great seale it died.

The Innes of Court m [...]n was neither heire nor aged sufficiently, for the enabling of any such act as hee had vndertaken publikely by deed, or priuatly in the shop-booke. The Scri­uener, the City counsaile, himselfe, and all were fatally infatuated, betraid with a beard, and foold with formalitie.

The wind rises more and more, the storme encreaseth, strange stitches on euery side of the shop, wonderfull weaknesse in the ware-house, and convulsions in the Counter-boord and box, complaine and cry out vpon the Collique, at whose mercy we leaue him, expecting the erup­tion thereof very speedily.

The Signes fore-running the won­derfull Cracke.

THe certaine Signes in a Citizen are these:

He striues to be call'd into such office, especially as whereby he may haue the stocke of the Parish or Company in his custody.

He giues ground in matter of payment, the longer he deales, the more hee leaues in the re­mainder vpon euery payment.

He leaues the plaine path of his profession, and [Page 47] places more faith in a Proiect, then in all the probabilities of his owne Trading: and when a Citizen turnes Proiector, he has the very tokens of the wonderfull Cracke vpon him.

His Country house is too little for him, and it wants a gate-house for his Wife and Coach to come in at, and therefore there must be laid out in building thrice as much as the Fee-simple of all when it is finished will affoord.

Hee takes vp at interest to make good the building: all his good debts hee sets o­uer to the immediate accountant in trust, and with an intention to preuent his Creditors.

All his purchases are either in the name of his sonne, or some trusty Kinsman of his wines.

The neerer the Cracke, the faster he laies about him, to take vp in any kinde, and vpon any conditions, then he conueies all things of value out of his house.

And at last he giues fire with a report of his great losses at or beyond the seas, where he (God wot) had neuer any factory or dea­ling in all his life time.

Then hee sends his Wife to her Mo­thers, where shee must liue awhile, that shee may not be troubled with the noise and cla­mour of the Creditor.

[Page 48] Hee betakes himselfe to his Chamber, keepes the shop windowes shut, and pro­uides a Catalogue of all his desperate cre­dits onely to deliuer to his Creditors, when they shall come to treat vpon the subiect of satisfaction.

The newes reaches to the Exchange by noone, where they that haue giuen credit to him, looke so prettily and pittifully one vpon another, as you might know and challenge them by their faces.

Then they gather together, and conferre their notes, and cast vp the whole summe what all their credits may come vnto, onely some of the more pragmaticall sort, who feare to publish their losses lest their owne estates should come likewise in question, doe dis­semble the matter, and speake with the least. Others that suspect, it may bee their owne case very shortly, pitty the mans misfortune, blame the hardnesse of the times, deadnesse of trade, and scarcity of coine, recounting what he is out for forreigne plantations abroad, and other contributions at home, and with what charge he hath gone through so many offices in so short time, whereat euery man relents and lets slacke his more strict purposes, a­greeing all to go to his house to conferre with him after dinner.

And so dismisse we them till then.

IT may be you looke I should haue spoken som­what of the Cracke of my City gallant, but it is improper to place him amongst Creditors that has beene bred a borrower from his cradle, and that according to the custome of the Citie: let it on­ly suffice, that though he had not his country house, yet he had his country hostesse, and though he dealt not in court Proiection, yet he kept a vile coile for court Protection.

His Hostesse she paid the old Widdowes and his young Mistresse their debts in the same coine that he tendred to them.

And at last when his insoluency appeared vpon euery post, shee prefer'd any Iustice of peace his Clarke thereabouts to her respectuality before him, so that there was neither abiding at Rumford, nor returne to London, but he must of necessity make a voyage, be it but to Britlesey, where hee lies close vnder a borrowed name, which was the last com­modity that euer he tooke vp, till his friends shall haue rectified his credit, and restored him to the estate from which he was so lately collapsed and fallen.

The recouery of the old man, with the common comfort which it did beget, hold the next place.

AFter dinner all the Creditors met againe on the Exchange, where they hold full three houres conference, during which time not any of them did beleeue one word which another spake vnto him, for they were too wise and learned in the vse and exercise of conformity, to speake the simple truth, because they were to deale in a matter mixt and compounded of many ingredient credits commedled and put together.

From hence they goe to the house of their Deb­tor, in number as many as a whole colledge of Phy­sicians to enquire for their Patient: they are forth­with brought vp vnto him into his chamber, where they found him in an old suit onely fit for garbling or eating of greene-fish, with as many night-caps vpon his head as there bee cups in a nest of Court-dishes, and the old gowne which was alwaies wont to lie at the Hall for ordinary daies: in stead of plate there were only two full Vrinalls standing vpon the Court-cubbord, by which they might discerne the great disabilitie and weaknesse, which the wind­chollique had wrought within him.

And in stead of accounts, bonds and bills, and other euidences, there lay only open before him, the [Page 51] foresaid Catalogue consisting of desperate debts and debtors (as aforesaid.)

They salute him as if they did in a manner partly remember him, and then all together, as well the man of ten, as he of two and twenty hundred in credits, without difference, put forward for the first deliuery of his minde vnto him.

This disorder was much blamed by the gra­uer sort, and vpon better aduice, select men were drawne out of them to compound, for so many as would voluntarily conforme themselues, which was to be done according to the Catalogue, and as the ability would beare it.

In the meane time a letter of licence is sealed for his liberty, to call in and recouer what was due vnto himselfe.

This Letter of licence begat a commission of conformity, and then to worke they go full round­ly: some of the chiefe who had taken other and better conditions of satisfaction of him in priuat, then the rest, shewed much forwardnesse in the pub­like way of composition, and in the end did so strengthen their party, that they preuailed against the other.

The whole debt was cryed downe to six and eight pence in the pound, the windowes were o­pened, the seruants in the shop flung vp their caps, the Curse was remoued from their house, their Ma­ster was a recouered man, and none but a banque­rupt would say to the contrary.

[Page 52] Their Mistresse was sent for home with all the speed that might be, and this night all her kindred and their masters friends were to solemnize this happy recouery of the decayed man, where they meant to drinke to the health of six and eight pence, from six in the euening till eight next mor­ning.

The common Comfort only remaines.

NOw the recouered man makes a most strickt scruteny and reuiew into his shop-bookes, as well for debtors soluent as insoluent, he confers his Registers all together, and where he finds a debt vncrost in any one of them, though it be discharged in the other two it makes no matter, this is it by which he must stand charged, and vnlesse hee can discharge himselfe by this also, hee is like to perish and receiue condemnation by the very letter with­out tradition.

He will spare no man whom the Law puts into his hands, lest he become a partaker in his iniquity. Hee calls home all things which hee had formerly conu [...]ighed out of doores. And sets forward his building in the country.

He flourishes as he neuer did before, and will giue 1000 pound with his lame daughter now, more then he offered with her at the last swan-hopping.

Heele out bid all the towne for the great and les­ser sonnes.

[Page 53] Briefly, he vowes:

By the Counsaile of Ram-Ally.
Non nobis nati sumus.

WHereas in these latter times it concernes vs in ciuill pollicy, to be so much the more industrious as we are become numerous aboue for­merages, and no endeauour can bee so beneficiall and honourable as the enlarging of our territory by discouery and plantation in parts habitable and a­greeable with our debitory disposition, where wee may disperse our Colonies with more conueniency and aduantage then at this present: for which pur­pose wee haue lately imploied and set forth the good ship, called (The least in sight) accompanied with that approued and well appointed Pinace (The pay nought) the charge and command of both which, we conferd vpon Mr Cliuer Owemuch, who man'd, the same with persons best qualified in [Page 54] the Art of Insoluency, the greater part whereof, himselfe had knowne and tried to be men of much trust, being his owne Creditors, and creatures of his owne discreation, whose louing kindnesses he re­quited in manner of imploiment following, viz.

His Mercer he made Master of (The least in sight) and his Baker Boat-swaine.

And because his Vintner had bestowed many a shot vpon him in prosperity, he made him Master Gunner in his aduersity.

His Tobacco-man desired to bee the Gunners mate, because he would make all smoake againe.

A Purser they needed not: for besides that, they had all bad memories in calling of things past to re­membrance, they held it a foolish thing to keepe accounts where there was no purpose of payment.

His Haberdasher came somewhat with the la­test, but his Laundresse by the power of her Let­ters commendatory, preferd her husband to bee Controuller of the Coile, Remembrancer of the Bilbowes, and Yeoman Squabber of (The pay nought.)

And his Taylor last of all, because hee had the best stomacke to the action, he was made Steward, and had charge of the victuall for the voyage.

Being thus prouided on Munday the first of March, the wind blew faire from the East, when they left the Temple-staires: And the same day be­ing Saint Dauids day, the aire grew thicke and very foggy, insomuch that the pinace had lost the Ad­mirall, [Page 55] had it not in stead of a light in her Lan­thorne hung vp a Leeke in the maine top, by the sent whereof it recouered sight of her againe the next morning by breake of day.

On the second, third, and fourth day the weather was very variable and stormy, howsoeuer they still spoond onward for most aduantage.

About eight of the clocke on fryday the fifth of May, their Pylot who had beene a Spectacle-maker and a Prospectuary without Temple-barre, descri­ed a saile making towards them which they suspe­cted by his flag to be the water-bailiffe of London.

Hereupon a Councell was call'd aboord, the Captaine to consider what was to be done in this imminent extremity.

Some aduised that it were fit to make the land, if they knew where to touch without hazzard.

Others of higher resolution aduised to stand the fortune of a Sea-fight, and to draw their number out of sight into the hold, whereby to encourage the enemy to a neerer approach, which opinion was generally receiued and allowed.

Presently, as the occasion required, it was agreed that for the sublimation of euery sparke Spirit a­mongst them, there should be an extraordinary al­lowance made instantly (that was) the full propor­tion of one pipe of Tobacco, and a Temple-pot of six to euery two of them, which when they had cheerefully past about; the Taylor whose conscience was more tender then his stomacke, would needs [...] [Page 58] bee resolued in two points concerning his soules health before the fight should begin. The first was, whether the cause and quarrell which they were to vndertake were iustifiable or no, for that he euer held Ludgate more worthy then Newgate in diuers respects: and the next was in case he should mis­carry in the action, whether Limbus patrum & in­fantum, were not vnder his owne shop-boord or no.

Before my Taylor could haue opinion herein of their Captaines Chaplaine, who had beene a Vini­ger-man formerly, and a fellow of excellent sharpe apprehension: the supposed enemie came within shot, wherevpon euery one of them began to ap­ply him to his charge.

But iust as Matter Gunner was ready to let flie, (not for feare I hope) they perceiued no other assailants but the Church-wardens of new Braine­ford, who were bound for London to buy bells, not for the Church but their morrice dance against the ensuing Whirson-ale. Hereupon for their bet­ter recouery, the allowance was againe doubled to euery one of them. And on they passe brauely till on Saterday the sixth, they discerned firme land, lying vpon the Savoyans Eastward. Here the Cap­taine drew out the one halfe of his forces, and with his long boat put them to land, where they found a most spatious continent fit for plantation at foure degrees beyond the Temple, the climate excee­ding temperate so long as you pay the Tennis-court [Page 59] keeper for your lodging, the accommodati­ons most excellent, either thorow the white Hart into the Couent-Garden, and so into the countrie round about; or from the great house thorow the Swanne into Drury-lane, and so forth free as bird in the aire: The Lacedemonian women supply them with fish and fruit of all sorts, which they bring downe in aboundance from the vpland coun­tries: insomuch as there is neither feare of want of victuals, so long as they haue mony; Nor of security while they doe put themselues vnder the protecti­on of Denmarke-house: Heere they left the Ha­berdasher and certaine other to winter it, and the rest returned aboord the ninth day of May, bea­ring their course still West and by North: On the the twelfth day, Cape Virde, or Greenes wharfe, did shew it selfe vnto them, where they likewise put in, & forraged cleane thorow it on both sides. This place (besides other goodly beasts of all sorts) is most famous for Harts, whose hornes are of the comli­est branch and spreading, as also of dimension and extension that can be; so that in memory of them, the Captaine named the place Harts-horne-Ally: Then the which no place hitherto discouered, is of a more capable continent, or more rich in Minerals, Vegitatiues or Victuals, or more agreeable with the constitution of our countirimen, especially if they be married. The seuerall commodities and merchan­dizes whereof you shall receiue more at large vpon [Page 60] returne of the Least in sight, from thence

In the meane time we exhort you that both with cheerefull contribution, and otherwise with your aduice, you doe not onely vphold the old ones, but also further and aduance the said two new plantations so happily discouered, and so prospe­rously pursued hitherto, by you the Councell and Aduenturers of the said company, and at your only charge and expence.