Chapter 3

THE OPINION OF TWO LAWYERS CONCERNING THE SAME GENTLEMAN, WITH MR. ADAMS’S INQUIRY INTO THE RELIGION OF HIS HOST

He had just entered the house, and called for his pint, and seated himself, when two horsemen came to the door, and, fastening their horses to the rails, alighted. They said there was a violent shower of rain coming on, which they intended to weather there, and went into a little room by themselves, not perceiving Mr. Adams.

One of these immediately asked the other, “If he had seen a more comical adventure a great while?” Upon which the other said, “He doubted whether, by law, the landlord could justify detaining the horse for his corn and hay.” But the former answered, “Undoubtedly he can; it is an adjudged case, and I have known it tried.”

Adams, who, though he was, as the reader may suspect, a little inclined to forgetfulness, never wanted more than a hint to remind him, overhearing their discourse, immediately suggested to himself that this was his own horse, and that he had forgot to pay for him, which, upon inquiry, he was certified of by the gentlemen; who added, that the horse was likely to have more rest than food, unless he was paid for.

The poor parson resolved to return presently to the inn, though he knew no more than Joseph how to procure his horse his liberty; he was, however, prevailed on to stay under covert, till the shower, which was now very violent, was over.

The three travellers then sat down together over a mug of good beer; when Adams, who had observed a gentleman’s house as he passed along the road, inquired to whom it belonged; one of the horsemen had no sooner mentioned the owner’s name, than the other began to revile him in the most opprobrious terms. The English language scarce affords a single reproachful word, which he did not vent on this occasion. He charged him likewise with many particular facts. He said, “He no more regarded a field of wheat when he was hunting, than he did the highway; that he had injured several poor farmers by trampling their corn under his horse’s heels; and if any of them begged him with the utmost submission to refrain, his horsewhip was always ready to do them justice.” He said, “That he was the greatest tyrant to the neighbours in every other instance, and would not suffer a farmer to keep a gun, though he might justify it by law; and in his own family so cruel a master, that he never kept a servant a twelve-month. In his capacity as a justice,” continued he, “he behaves so partially, that he commits or acquits just as he is in the humour, without any regard to truth or evidence; the devil may carry any one before him for me; I would rather be tried before some judges, than be a prosecutor before him: if I had an estate in the neighbourhood, I would sell it for half the value rather than live near him.”

Adams shook his head, and said, “He was sorry such men were suffered to proceed with impunity, and that riches could set any man above the law.” The reviler, a little after, retiring into the yard, the gentleman who had first mentioned his name to Adams began to assure him “that his companion was a prejudiced person. It is true,” says he, “perhaps, that he may have sometimes pursued his game over a field of corn, but he hath always made the party ample satisfaction: that so far from tyrannising over his neighbours, or taking away their guns, he himself knew several farmers not qualified, who not only kept guns, but killed game with them; that he was the best of masters to his servants, and several of them had grown old in his service; that he was the best justice of peace in the kingdom, and, to his certain knowledge, had decided many difficult points, which were referred to him, with the greatest equity and the highest wisdom; and he verily believed, several persons would give a year’s purchase for an estate near him, than under the wings of any other great man.” He had just finished his encomium when his companion returned and acquainted him the storm was over. Upon which they presently mounted their horses and departed.

Adams, who was in the utmost anxiety at those different characters of the same person, asked his host if he knew the gentleman: for he began to imagine they had by mistake been speaking of two several gentlemen. “No, no, master,” answered the host (a shrewd cunning fellow); “I know the gentleman very


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