Ba. Yes, that I do, and I pronounce Latin after the French Mode.

Cl. Then you will never write good Verses.

Ba. Why so?

Cl. Because you’ll make false Quantities.

Ba. The Quality is enough for me.

Cl. Is Paris clear of the Plague?

Ba. Not quite, but it is not continual, sometimes it abates, and anon it returns again; sometimes it slackens, and then rages again.

Cl. Is not War itself Plague enough?

Ba. It is so, unless God thought otherwise.

Cl. Sure Bread must be very dear there.

Ba. There is a great Scarcity of it.  There is a great Want of every Thing but wicked Soldiers.  Good Men are wonderful cheap there.

Cl. What is in the Mind of the French to go to War with the Germans?

Ba. They have a Mind to imitate the Beetle, that won’t give Place to the Eagle.  Every one thinks himself an Hercules in War.

Cl. I won’t detain you any longer, at some other Time we’ll divert ourselves more largely, when we can both spare Time.  At present I have a little Business that calls me to another Place.

FAMILY DISCOURSE.

The ARGUMENT.

This Colloquy presents us with the Sayings and Jokes of intimate Acquaintance, and the Repartees and Behaviour of familiar Friends one with another. 1.  Of walking abroad, and calling Companions. 2.  Of seldom visiting, of asking concerning a Wife, Daughter, Sons. 3.  Concerning Leisure, the tingling of the Ear, the Description of a homely Maid.  Invitation to a Wedding. 4.  Of Studying too hard, &c.

PETER, MIDAS, a Boy, JODOCUS.

Peter, Soho, soho, Boy! does no Body come to the Door?

Mi. I think this Fellow will beat the Door down.  Sure he must needs be some intimate Acquaintance or other.  O old Friend Peter, what hast brought?

Pe. Myself.

Mi. In Truth then you have brought that which is not much worth.

Pe. But I’m sure I cost my Father a great deal.

Mi. I believe so, more than you can be sold for again.

Pe. But is Jodocus at Home?

Mi. I can’t tell, but I’ll go see.

Pe. Go in first, and ask him if he pleases to be at Home now.

Mi. Go yourself, and be your own Errand Boy.

Pe. Soho! Jodocus, are you at Home?

Jo. No, I am not.

Pe. Oh!  You impudent Fellow I don’t I hear you speak?

Jo. Nay, you are more impudent, for I took your Maid’s Word for it lately, that you were not at Home, and you won’t believe me myself.

Pe. You’re in the Right on’t, you’ve serv’d me in my own Kind.