in King’s Head Court and Red Lion Market:  nor is the conduct of these leaders less conspicuous in their choice of the ground or field of battle.  Happy was it, that the greatest part of the achievements of this day was to be performed near Grub Street,[399] that there might not be wanting a sufficient number of faithful historians, who being eye-witnesses of these wonders, should impartially transmit them to posterity:  but then it can never be enough regretted, that we are left in the dark as to the name and title of that extraordinary hero who commanded the divisions in Paul’s Alley; especially because those divisions are justly styled brave, and accordingly were to push the enemy along Bunhill Row, and thereby occasion a general battle.  But Pallas appeared in the form of a shower of rain, and prevented the slaughter and desolation which were threatened by these extraordinary preparations.

    Hi motus animorum atque haec certamina tanta
    Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt.[400]

Will’s Coffee-house, July 13.

Some part of the company keep up the old way of conversation in this place, which usually turned upon the examination of nature, and an inquiry into the manners of men.  There is one in the room so very judicious, that he manages impertinents with the utmost dexterity.  It was diverting this evening to hear a discourse between him and one of these gentlemen.  He told me before that person joined us, that he was a questioner, who, according to his description, is one who asks questions, not with a design to receive information, but an affectation to show his uneasiness for want of it.  He went on in asserting, that there are crowds of that modest ambition, as to aim no farther than to demonstrate that they are in doubt.  But by this time Will Why-not was sat down by us.  “So, gentlemen,” says he, “in how many days, think you, shall we be masters of Tournay?  Is the account of the action of the Vivarois to be depended upon?  Could you have imagined England had so much money in it, as you see it has produced?  Pray, sirs, what do you think?  Will the Duke of Savoy make an eruption into France?  But,” says he, “time will clear all these mysteries.”  His answer to himself gave me the altitude of his head, and to all his questions I thus answered very satisfactorily:  “Sir, have you heard that this Slaughterford[401] never owned the fact for which he died?  Have the newspapers mentioned that matter?  But, pray, can you tell me what method will be taken to provide for these Palatines?[402] But this, as you say, time will clear.”  “Ay, ay,” says he, and whispers me, “they will never let us into these things beforehand.”  I whispered him again, “We shall know it as soon as there is a proclamation.”  He tells me in the other ear, “You are in the right of it.”  Then he whispered my friend to know what my name was; then made an obliging bow, and went to examine another table.  This led my friend and me to weigh this