notice of by several as one they had seen somewhere long before.  One more particularly said, he had formerly been a man of consideration in the world; but was so unlucky, that they who dealt with him, by some strange infatuation or other, had a way of cutting off their own bills, and were prodigiously slow in improving their stock.  But as much as I was curious to observe the reception these gentlemen met with upon ’Change, I could not help being interrupted by one that came up towards us, to whom everybody made their compliments.  He was of the common height, and in his dress there seemed to be great care to appear no way particular, except in a certain exact and feat[462] manner of behaviour and circumspection.  He was wonderfully careful that his shoes and clothes should be without the least speck upon them; and seemed to think, that on such an accident depended his very life and fortune.  There was hardly a man on ’Change who had not a note upon him; and each seemed very well satisfied that their money lay in his hands, without demanding payment.  I asked Pacolet, what great merchant that was, who was so universally addressed to, yet made too familiar an appearance to command that extraordinary deference?  Pacolet answered, “This person is the demon or genius of credit:  his name is Umbra.  If you observe, he follows Alethes and Verisimilis at a distance; and indeed has no foundation for the figure he makes in the world, but that he is thought to keep their cash; though at the same time, none who trust him would trust the others for a groat.”  As the company rolled about, the three spectres were jumbled into one place:  when they were so, and all thought there was an alliance between them, they immediately drew upon them the business of the whole ’Change.  But their affairs soon increased to such an unwieldy bulk, that Alethes took his leave, and said, he would not engage further than he had an immediate fund to answer.  Verisimilis pretended that though he had revenues large enough to go on his own bottom, yet it was below one of his family to condescend to trade in his own name; therefore he also retired.  I was extremely troubled to see the glorious mart of London left with no other guardian, but him of credit.  But Pacolet told me, that traders had nothing to do with the honour or conscience of their correspondents, provided they supported a general behaviour in the world, which could not hurt their credit or their purses:  “for,” said he, “you may in this one tract of building of London and Westminster see the imaginary motives on which the greatest affairs move, as well as in rambling over the face of the earth.  For though Alethes is the real governor, as well as legislator of mankind, he has very little business but to make up quarrels, and is only a general referee, to whom every man pretends to appeal; but is satisfied with his determinations no further than they promote his own interest.  Hence it is, that the soldier and the courtier model their actions according to Verisimilis’