A Certain North-Country-Man by name John Plugg, supposing himself to be a man of ex­cellent parts, resolves to spend no more of his precious time in his own Country, but intends to see the Metropolis of England, (of which he had heard much fame) not doubting but that his superabounding wit would make room for his enter­tainment, and as soon as he had got out of sight of his Habitation, he supposeth himself to be a mighty Tra­veller indeed, and after some time spent in this long and most dangerous Journey, he escapes safe to Lon­don, which place he thinks (if possible) is Heaven upon Earth, and thereupon swears he'll never re­turn into his own Country more, and now he consi­ders which way he might dispose of himself accord­ing to his merit, his bloud being enflamed for an ho­norable employment and not willing to undervalue [Page 2]his parts, he resolves to turn Merchant, but when he understands that he must cross the Sea or else could not be on that employment, swears he'll avoid drowning in the salt-waters, and unless he could sayl and traffick on dry ground it's no trade for him, but afterwards meeting with a man of an excellent functi­on by Trade a Pawn-broker (forsooth) now they be­gin to discourse the matter roundly, how, and which way a man of parts might advance himself. The Pawn-broker tells John Plugg that if he will take his advice, and give him but a small summ of money (not exceeding twenty Pounds) he would make him free of the best Trade in London, and that he would put him into a way and make him understand the whole matter in a short time: this fancy tickled John's brayns till they itched again with desire to begin the trade, well, they agree in the matter, and now John is no bawble to be play'd withall.

Tell me what my trade must be, a Pawn-broker, a Pawn-broker, and what's that? you must tell me how I'st come to be Master of Arts in that Trade.

Well, have but a little patience and I'll make you to understand (if you'll be but di­ligent) how to cheat both friend and foe, young and old, rich and poor, and that compleatly too, you must receive and resett all manner of goods that are brought to you, and if they are worth five Pounds you must say that they are not worth forty shill­ings, and that you will not lend above thirty on them, and if they do not believe you, then you must swear stoutly that what you have said is true.

I'st warrant you the first Northern Oath [Page 3]which Ist swear will crack one of your London Dale boords of an inch thick.

I confess it will be worst with you at first, for after you have bin a little while at the Trade, you'll learn to say and swear any thing, for we of that Trade are as ready at it as a Vintners Boy is at filling a glass of Wine, and for every Pound which you lend out you must have sixpence a Moneth which is thirty Pounds per annum, interest in the Hundred.

what no more?

Now I love you for that very saying.

well is this all?

No, this is but, the plain dealing part in our Trade, when you take in any Goods, you must have some­thing for entring their names, and if they fetch them away the next day, you must be paid a moneths Interest.—But with what Goods must I deal with­al?

With all sorts, both with Mens cloaths and Womens cloaths, with Bed and with Boulster, with Pot and with Pan and every thing.

And may I not wear the cloathes when I have them in my keeping.

Yes and let them out too,

That's well, then Ist quickly have a new Sute, and I will tell you how I will wear them, I'll have a three cornered cap, and being that I am a wise man and a good Schollar, for I have learnt my horn-book over and over again, and for ought I know Ist be taken for a Lord Judge, and I'll have a ledder Doub­let, a black Coat, a blue pair of Breeches and a yel­low pare of Stockings and who can tell what Trade I am on then, and I will have a pair of ruffles, and a great pair of sleeves, and a Presbyterian band, and then if I should meet with Old-Nick in a corner, he [Page 4]would never suspect me to be a Pawn-broker; so now I am ready for my Shop, I am a compleat person without doubt.

No. but hold, you have not half learnt your Trade yet.

why, what's want­ing now?

you must be of a strong constituti­on, and whett your tongue well before you begin, that it may cut out a hundred double Oaths before it be taken off the edge, for you must swear with the Knight of the Post, lye with the petty fogging Soli­citor, and pretend with the quack Doctor.

These are hard words but ist tell you what I can do, I can pretend as much honest as any man and perform as little, and I can swear a hundred oaths in half a quarter of an hour, and for lying let me alone.

Well now I see you will quickly be fit for our Trade,

but how'st I do for a Shop, that will be large enough? for a little Shop will not hold a large Conscience, I mean such a Conscience as Pawn-brokers have, and this Trade will make it to retch like a leadder sack when it is fill'd with good Ale, well Ist be promoting the trade daily, and in a short time I am shure to be Lord-Mayor, but pray you Mr. Broker may I not say and do what I will in my own Shop.

Yes I tell you you may say and do any thing what you please, for you cannot offend the Law, nor wrong your Conscience in this Trade, for we observe neither.

I believe you have told me the truth now, and for that very cause I doubt not but a blessing will lye at your Threshold, if you can but open the door and let it in,—

Sir I have been very careful of your cloaths, insomuch that they were never out of my sight, nor day off my back since I had them, and therefore I hope you'll give me something more then ordinary for my great care.—

Sirra I'll have you before a Justice to make me satisfaction for the wrong you have done me.—

cots'owns have me before a Justice, I care not for that for you cannot trouble me for it is part of my Trade, I have my liberty to get what I can any way.—

what has your Lord Justice to say to me?—

What Trade are you of?

and please your Lord Justice I am an honest Trade.

But what Trade is't?

Your Lordship needs not question me any further for I never could lie in my life, but to affirme my words to be true I will tell you, and I am sure that my Trade will vouch for my honesty, I am a Pawn-broker.

well I find now [Page 6]that you are not only a liar but an absolute cheat and an extortioner too,

no and please your Lord Justice I am not, for I take but thirty Pounds per an­num interest in the hundred and some small gains be­sides.

but what say you did you wear this mans cloathes when they were in your keeping?

Yes yes, and please your Lord Justiceship, that I did all the while I had them in my —

Then it seems you are an absolute cheat indeed and deserve little better then hanging,

O no, and please your Lord Justice to let me speak for my self and Ist come well enough off I warrand you, your Lord­ship cannot trouble me that I am sure of, for I can neither offend the Law nor my own Conscience in this Trade, and I am made free (to get gains any way) by the act of palm brokers Parliament, and would your Lord Justice have me to rebel and break lawl and cu­stoms which have been so long kept and observed but besides that slash wore my money, and why should not I wear his cloaths: and now pray you my Lord Justice let me go about my business what have you to say to me now? I knew that I should come of bravely at last,

Nay but hold Sirra, you are not to come of so bravely as you suppose, you have done with your tale, but I have not done with you yet,

Why what would your Lordship do with me if you might have your will?

Nay Sirra I will have my will and I'll send you to Bridewell,

And what's that and please your Lord? Justice, a place to whip and beat you. O no good my Lord Justice, do not send me there, for I do not love to be beaten, Good my Lord Justice all these rogues Broakers thither and let me [Page 7]escape for this fact that I have committed is nothing amongst their greater Knaveries. O this Rogue Bro­ker hath spoyled a man of brave worth: