It happened unfortunately for the peace of our neighbourhood that this young lord had an old cunning rogue, or, as the Scots call it, a false loon of a grandfather, that one might justly call a Jack-of-all-Trades.[176] Sometimes you would see him behind his counter selling broadcloth, sometimes measuring linen; next day he would be dealing in mercery-ware.  High heads, ribbons, gloves, fans, and lace he understood to a nicety.  Charles Mather could not bubble a young beau better with a toy; nay, he would descend even to the selling of tape, garters, and shoe-buckles.  When shop was shut up he would go about the neighbourhood and earn half-a-crown by teaching the young men and maids to dance.  By these methods he had acquired immense riches, which he used to squander[177] away at back-sword, quarter-staff, and cudgel-play, in which he took great pleasure, and challenged all the country.  You will say it is no wonder if Bull and Frog should be jealous of this fellow.  “It is not impossible,” says Frog to Bull, “but this old rogue will take the management of the young lord’s business into his hands; besides, the rascal has good ware, and will serve him as cheap as anybody.  In that case, I leave you to judge what must become of us and our families; we must starve, or turn journeyman to old Lewis Baboon.  Therefore, neighbour, I hold it advisable that we write to young Lord Strutt to know the bottom of this matter.”

    A Copy of Bull and Frog’s Letter to Lord Strutt.

My Lord,—­I suppose your lordship knows that the Bulls and the Frogs have served the Lord Strutts with all sorts of drapery-ware time out of mind.  And whereas we are jealous, not without reason, that your lordship intends henceforth to buy of your grandsire old Lewis Baboon, this is to inform your lordship that this proceeding does not suit with the circumstances of our families, who have lived and made a good figure in the world by the generosity of the Lord Strutts.  Therefore we think fit to acquaint your lordship that you must find sufficient security to us, our heirs, and assigns that you will not employ Lewis Baboon, or else we will take our remedy at law, clap an action upon you of L20,000 for old debts, seize and distrain your goods and chattels, which, considering your lordship’s circumstances, will plunge you into difficulties, from which it will not be easy to extricate yourself.  Therefore we hope, when your lordship has better considered on it, you will comply with the desire of

Your loving friends,

JOHN BULL. 
NIC.  FROG.

Some of Bull’s friends advised him to take gentler methods with the young lord, but John naturally loved rough play.  It is impossible to express the surprise of the Lord Strutt upon the receipt of this letter.  He was not flush in ready money either to go to law or clear old debts, neither could he find good bail.  He offered to bring matters to a friendly accommodation, and promised, upon his word of honour, that he would not change his drapers; but all to no purpose, for Bull and Frog saw clearly that old Lewis would have the cheating of him.