The art of Thriving. OR, The plain pathway to PREFERMENT. Together with The Mystery and Misery of Lending and Borrowing. As also a Table of the expense of Time and Money.  

Consider it seriously.  
Examine it judiciously.  
Remember it punctually.  
And thrive accordingly.   
Published for the common good of all sorts, etc. by T. Powel.  
LONDON, Printed by T. H. for Benjamin Fisher, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Talbot in Aldersgate street. 1635.   

To the Reader.  
THere is a method in all arts, and a mystery, but in none more than in the art of thriving, being the very Centre to which all the other arts do tend, and for which they were invented. Magister artis venture, and what is that but Thriving? Now in the study of this great art, you must make the world your Liberary, and learn to read men as well as books: and yet not to discourage you in the whole volume of this science, you are to turn over but three leaves, only somewhat close writ, very hard to read, and when you are once out, can hardly begin again: Times, Trades, and Debts, this is that screw of a three fold twinding; for if you screw not your fortunes the right way, as it is in all screws, you may turn and work your heart out, remember but that first: And let me tell you, Time is the hinge of all thriving, Trades are the doors on which good hopes may turn, and stand long enough; if Debts those undermining levers of husbandry, fling not all off the hooks. Thus then think with yourself, to Time a business well, and to begin business in time, is the very key to the door of preferment, and think the loss of a minute more dear than the loss of a pound; for certainly of all expenses, the expense of Time ●s the costliest: which, mindful reader, that thou mayst know now, learn to prize and reckon ●hy time right: for as Seneca said ●o Lucilius, quem mihi dabis qui aliquod pretium tempori ponat? qui diem estimet? qui intelligat se quotidie mori: and therefore that made him say in the beginning of the same Epistle to Lucilius, vindica te tibi, as if a man were to be revenged upon himself for hasting his own death by ●osse of Time. Now therefore ●hat thou mayst know how to take and redeem thy Time. I have here set before thee, a table of each minute of thy life, this is the first leaf, and now I pass to the next, having not time to speak of Time.  
2 All men are or would be rich; even the sluggard wisheth, though he hath not: 'Tis easy indeed to covet the top of wit or preferment, but to get up the hill, hic labour, hoc opus; there is a business indeed! the ways to thrive are manifold, yet one good is worth all, and in effect is all: only all the Art is finding and catching it: Can Archimedes but have found footing for his Mathematical instrument, he would have done wonders.  
Give me but footing where myself may stand,  
From their fixed Base I'll hoist both sea and land.  
Boldly spoke, and bravely meant; and questionless, if you could have done the one for him, he would have performed the other for you: Think not, thrifty would be, that I by his example enjoin the impossibilities, or to build castles in the air, but merely to show thee how out of nothing to produce something, and thus I apply it. Can a young man once take hold or settling in preferment, where he may but fix the instrument of his hopes, then may he easily drive the world before him, and so mount up to wealth. Now who is able to level to a beginner the shortest cut, or score him the very way to thrive, if he either stand in his own light through wilfulness, or cut the throat as it were of all his hopes, through despair of better; the fool thus concluding with himself, He that's borne under a threepenny Planet, shall never be worth a groat. To him, and to him I dedicate not. What should I talk to such of Promotion? But to a forward spirit, and a manly heart, prepared for industry, and resolved to stand to his curse in Paradise, I commend this my Grammar of Trades. Nor think hopeful Reader I have prefixed a specious title to make the sale more oily, I would I were dead if I care whether you buy or burn it, only I would have thee read and be wise, labour and be rich.  
The old Paradox is witty and true. Quisque suae fortunae, faber. Every man sits at the very Anvil and forge of his own Fortune-making: now than if you can see to strike the Iron, while it is hot, that is, while time and the hand of Providence hold forth the opportunity, you may make your trade, but if you linger till it be cold, it will cost you another Heat. Experto mihi credit. Now therefore that no man may overslip his Fortunes, or be puzzled for want of light, to see when it is offered, or to conduct him forward, when it is found, Lo here a Torch held out before him, pointing the plain high way to preferment, in all Professions, Trades, and Arts, found out by an old traveller in the Sea of Experience, Longis erroribus actus, qui mores Hominum, etc. who now stands after all his folly, and ruins, a Landmark, to the general good of others.  
To the Father and his sons, to the Mother and every Mother's child, to the Scholar, the Apprentice, the Navigator, the Husbandman, the Courtier, and the Soldier, whether in hopes or in despair, standing, rising, or falling, I bequeath this my Legacy, my Looking-glass to promotion, my Grammar of Trades.  
3 And since in the voyage to Promotion, Lending is the Rock, and Borrowing is the Gulf, I have discovered them both in the end, lest your tender endeavours should tore against the one, or be swallowed up in the other. Farewell, and where you see me, if you mean to Thrive, look to yourself.  
Thine living and dead, T. Powel.   

The art of Thriving. The Contents.  

1 AN Introduction to the following discourse with the occasion. 

1 Direction for a Scholar in his Education, Maintenance, and advancement in his minority.  
2 In the University.  
3 In the Ministry.  
4 In Benefices abroad.    
2 Promotions following by Law. 

1 Civil.  
2 Common.    
3 For the Physician, and his means of Advancement.  
4 The Apprentice with the due Election of Trades, and following of Merchandise.  
5 The Navigator his way of Advancement & employment.  
6 The Husbandman.  
7 The Courtier.  
8 The Soldier. 

1 By Sea.  
2 By Land.   Directions for matching of daughters.   

The Mystery, etc. Contents.  
1 The scope of the following Treatise, first of the Borrower, secondly of the Lender.  
2 

1 The Courtier's Method.  
2 The Inns of Court man.  
3 The Country Gentleman.    
3 Their several causes of Insolency.  
4 The sundry ways and weapons wherewith they fence with their Creditors. 

1 The Inns of Court man's.  
2 The Country Gentleman.  
3 The City borrower.  
4 Their noted places of refuge.  
5 Their days of jubilee and privilege.    
5 The marks of a Conscious debtor, with the discipline of the Mace.  
6 The Lender's or Creditors part. 

1 The charitable extent of the Creditors courtesy.  
2 The reasons thereof.  
3 The mystery of Multiplication.    
7 1 Certain signs forerunning and foreshowing the Wonderful Crack. 

2 The Recovery.  
3 A voyage to two new Plantations.      

The art of Thriving: OR, The plain Pathway to Preferment.  
TRINITY Term was now ended; For by description of the time it could be no other parcel of the year. In that the Scriveners at Temple-barrr, had no employment, but writing of blank Bonds, and texting of Bills, for letting of Chambers in Chancery-lane. The Vintners of Fleetstreet discharged their journeymen; A general humility more than usual possessed the Cookery of Ram Alley. The Ostlers of Holborn had more than ordinary care to lay up their Guests boots, rather for fear of their slipping out of Town, than for any good observance towards them. And your Country Attorneyes would no longer by any means endure the unwholesome air of an Eight-penny Ordinary. Every one that had wherewith to discharge his Horse out of the stable, strove who should first be gone. And amongst the rest, myself made shift for so much money as wherewith to abate the fury of Mistress Overcount mine hostess, and so I departed likewise.  
At the top of Highgate hill I overtook a Gentleman of Northamptonshire, riding homeward, whom I well knew; Him I saluted cheerfully, and he received me lovingly. But in travelling together (Me thought) he was not Master of that mirthful disposition which he was wont to carry along with him to shorten the way betwixt his house and London, I gave him to understand, how strange, and notable this alteration appeared in him; And withal desired to know so much of the occasion thereof as might be impartible to a friend of so small growth. To which he answered thus; Sir, I come from London, (it is true) from the Term (It is certain true) from London and Term, True and certain in nothing but expenses in all things, yet I would have you know, that it is neither the Thunderclap of dissolving an Injunction, nor the Doomsday of a Decree, nor Councillors Fees, nor Attorney's Bills in a language able to fright a man out of his wits, can proscribe me my wont mirth. It is something nearer and dearer (my dear friend) that robs me of that cheer which used to lift me up into the very Sphere, where jove himself sits to bid all his guests welcome right hearty.  
I remember me of Children, six Sons, and three Daughters, of whom I am the unhappy Father. In that, besides the scars which my unthriftiness hath dinted upon their fortunes the wounds of unequal times, and a tempestuous age approaching are like to take away from them all hope of out-living the low water ebb of the evil day all means of thriving by honest pains, study or industry are bereft them. The Common upon which industry should depasture is overlaid, numerousness spoils all, and poverty sells all at an under value.  
In this case (Sir) what can be advised? Whereunto I thus replied.  
Sir, I have heedfully attended you in the delivery of your perplexed thoughts, concerning the care which you have of your children, taking the true, and even level of the declension of arts, the distent of trades, and trading, the poverty of all professions, and the distemper, not of ours only, but of all Christian climates at this present, tending rather to a more contagion in the general air, than a calmer temperament (for aught that yet appeareth) as for the storminesse of the sea of state foreign or domestic, let us leave the greater, and lesser vessels that be exposed to it, unto the proper pilates, Masters, and Mariners, who have the charge to attend the line, or ply at the tackle, we are but poor passengers, and may assure ourselves to partake in their boon voyage, if they succeed well, as they may be certain to suffer in the same Shipwreck with us, if we miscarry. I address me to give you the best advice I can touching the preferment of your six sons and three daughters, in manner following.  
It is true in most Gentlemen, and very likely in you, as in others, living only upon the revenue of lands. That the height of their Husbandry amounts to no more than to clear the last half years booking, and borrowing at the rend day. That their credit may hold up and keep reputation till the next ensuing that again.  
When you die, the eldest Son claims the inheritance of what you leave, thank God, and nature for it, yourself least of all, and your fatherly providence never a whit.  
If you take some course in your life time to make the rest of your Children some small portions or estates out of the whole of your lands. It is ten to one but you destroy both him, and them by that means.  
For the heir commonly striving to uphold the reputation of his Ancestors, He abates nothing of his father's accustomed expenses towards the raising of those portions or estates so deducted. And they on the other side, presume so much upon the hope thereof, that no profession will fit them. To be a Minister (with them) is to be but a Pedant. A Lawyer, a mercenary fellow. A Shopkeeper, a man most subject to the most wonderful Crack, and a creature whose welfare depends much upon his Wives well bearing, and fair carrriage. What is then to be done?  
Surely it would be wished, seeing God and nature hath provided for the eldest, your younger sons, and your daughters; especially, being worst able to shift, should be by you provided for in the first place, while your Land is of virgin reputation, while it is chaste, and undishonested by committing of single fornication with Country Creditors, that trade without sheets (that is) by Pole deed, only for saving of costs; or at least, before it have defiled the bed of its reputation by prostituting to the adulterous embrace of a City Scrivener: But especially, before it grow so impudent, as to lie down in the Market place, and to suffer every petty Clerk to bring its good name upon Record, and charge it that it was taken in the very fact between other men's sheets. As in this Statute, or in that judgement: Take heed of that by any means. And be sure to match your eldest son, when your credit is cried up to the highest, while your heir is yet in your power to dispose, and will bend to your will, before his blood begin to feel the heat of any affections kindling about him, or before he can tell what difference is betwixt a black wrought Waistcoat, with a white apron and a lose bodied gown without an apron. Put him off in his best clothes (I mean) in the assurance of your lands, sell him at the highest rate. Then dicotomize the whole portion of his wife into several shares betwixt your other children. Not share and share like, but to every each one the more according to their defects: Let impotency, decreptnesse, ill favourdnesse and incapacity, rob the other of so much money as they have done them of comeliness, activity, beauty, and wit.  
Put them not into any course of living according to any prescript order, or method of your own election. But according to their inclination and addition, seeing that every one by instinct of nature, delighteth in that wherein he is like to be most excellent. And delight, and pride in any thing undertaken, makes all obstacles in the way of attaining to perfection of no difficulty.  
Now in the next place take heed that you put off those your sons whom you find fit and addicted to be bred in the Ministry, or made up to the law, or to be apprentized betimes, and before they take the taint of too much liberty at home.  
And when they be put forth, call them not home speedily to revisit their father's house, no not so much as Hospitably by any means.  

In the first place take your direction for the SCHOLAR.  

His Education.  
His Maintenance.  
His Advancement.   
FOr his Education. The Free-Schooles generally afford the best breeding in good letters.  
So many of them also afford some reasonable means in aid of young Scholars, for their diet, lodging, and teaching, given to them by the Founders or Benefactors of such Schools.  
Some of them be of the foundation of some Kings and Queens of this Land, and they are commonly in the gift of the King, or his Provost, or Substitute in that behalf. Others be of the foundation of some Bodies or Societies incorporate. And they are commonly in the gift of such Masters, Wardens, Precedents, and their Signior fellows, such chief officers of any other title, or such Master Wardens, and Assistants, or such Opposers, Visitants, or Committees of such bodies respectively as be appointed thereunto. Others be of the foundation of some private persons: And they are for the most part in the gift of the Executor, Heir, or Feoffees of such Donor, according to the purport of his Will, or Grant, or both.  
Of every of which several kinds respectively are: 

Eton.  
Westminster.  
Winchester.  
The Merchantaylors' School London.  
The Skynners' at Tunbridge.  
Suttons' Hospital.  
St. Bartholomews'.  
And very many other the like.    
Briefly, few or no Counties of this Kingdom are unfurnished of such Schools. And some have so many, that it is disputable whether the Universities with the Inns of Court, and Chancery have where to receive them or no.  
Some of such free-Schooles again, have Scholarships appendent unto them, in one of the Universities or both.  
To which upon Election yearly, they are removable, As,  

From Eton, to King's College Cambridge.  
From Westminster, to Trinity College Cambridge, or Christ-Church Oxon:  
From Winchester, to New College Oxon.  
From the Merchantaylors, to St. John's Oxon.  
And the like, from many the like.   
Some other Free-Schooles have pensions for preferment of their Scholars, and for their maintenance in the University.  
Some Companies Incorporate (especially of London,) having no such pensions in certain, do usually out of the Stock of their Hall allow maintenance in this kind.  
Besides that, there be many other private persons (upon my knowledge) who do voluntarily allow yearly exhibition of this nature.  
Now if you would know how to find what is given to any such Free-Schooles, and in whose disposing they now be.  
Search  
In the Tower of London, till the end of Rich. the 3.  
For Grants and for Licence of Mortmain, inde.  
And in the Chapel of the Rolls.  
From thence till the present,  
And for the like.  
In the Register of the Prerogative Court, for such things devised by Will, by King, Queen, or Subject,  
For such Grants given by Will.  
And sometimes you shall find such things both in the Tower, and the Prerogative, and in the Rolls, and Prerogative respectively.  
For the time since our reformed Church of England began here.  
Search  
Doctor willet's Synopsis,  
For all from the King, or from any other.  
Search  
In diverse of our Chronicles For the like.   

Next add certain helps for discovery and attaining thereof.  
FIrst (if it may be) procure a sight of the Liedger Books, of such as in whom the disposition of such things resteth, which they keep for their own use.  
Next be acquainted with some of the Disposers themselves.  
Next take the directions of the Master or Teacher of such Free-Schooles.  
Especially, to be interessed in the Clerks or Registers of such Societies as have the disposing of any such things.  
Also to use means by Letters of persons powerful, and useful to such disposers.  
For (indeed) it is not the sound of a great man's name to a Letter in these days, wherein they are grown so common, and familiar to our Societies (of London especially) can prevail so soon as the Letter subscribed by the Lord Maior, or other eminent Officer of the City, to whose commandment they be immediately subjugate.  
Lastly, if you use the means least seen, most used, and best allowed, together with these: For discovery and attaining of any such thing, it will not be besides the purpose as I take it.   

Now suppose your son is brought to the University by Election, or as Pensioner.  
THe first thing you must take to your care is. In case he come not by election, but as a Pensioner, to live for the present upon your own charge, how to procure him a Scholarship in the College where you bestow him.  
Or in case he come elected into one, how to procure a farther addition of maintenance to him.  
To bring him into a Scholarship, place him with a Signior fellow of the house (as Tutor) though you allow to some junion fellow somewhat yearly for reading unto him.  
This Signior fellow if the number of places void will bear it, may nominate your son for one in his own right, if it will not bear it, he may call to his aid some and so many suffrages of the rest as with the speaking merit of your son may work your desire.  
Then how to procure a pension for addytament of means.  
The chief skill is to find it out, being either in the gift of some body Incorporate, or of some private person. Wherein the discovery is to be made (as aforesaid.)  
If you sue to a Company consisting of many persons Tradesmen, you must inquire who be the most potent Patritians, and best reputed Vestry wits amongst them, such as carry their gloves in their hands, not on their hands.  
Amongst an Assistance of many, only two or three strike the stroke, and hold the rest in a wonderful admiration of their extraordinary endowments. And how to speak sensibly to these two or three is no Mystery. You know they are faithful fiduciaries in the election. And therefore, you must not presume to offer any thing by any means. Only you may desire them to accept this poor piece of plate, with your name and Arms upon it, and bind you unto their love, in keeping the memory of you hereafter. Do but try them in this kind, and attend the success. I tell you, this with a Buck at the Renter Wardens feast, may come somewhat near to the matter.  
But for the pension to be obtained of a private person, the way is not the same. It proceedeth of the giver's mere charity, and must be taken by the hand of a desertful receiver. Though withal it may sometimes fall out, that merit is made by mediation, especially of some such reverend Divine, as he doth most respect and frequent. For other, letters can little prevail with such persons.  
The best note to discover a man inclinable to allow such a pension, is to examine how wealth and charity are equally and temperately mingled in him. And be sure withal that he be a man of some reasonable understanding in what he doth in this kind. For a fool's pension is like a new fashion eagerly pursued at the beginning, but as scurvily left off in the proceeding.  
Your next care is, in his due time to put on a fellowship, when he shall put off his Scholarship, seeing the Scholarship keeps him company no farther than to the degree of Master of Arts, and a quarter of a year after, in those Colleges, where Scholarships are longest lived. And in some not so long.  
In some Colleges, The Fellowship follows the Scholarship of course, and as the one leaveth him, the other entertains him. But in the most it is not so, but comes by Election. Which Election passeth by the Master and Senior Fellows, whereof every one doth name one, if the number to be Elected will bear it: or if not, than they pass by most voices.  
Where note, that the Master hath a double voice, and in some places he hath the nomination of one, if there be two places void, yea if there be but one at sometimes.  
In Colleges the letters of great persons, especially of the Lords grace of Canterbury, and the University Chancellor have been of great prevailance. But it is not so now in these days.  
There be beneficial gradations of preferment likewise, for Fellows in their Colleges; as Lecturer, Deane, Bowser, Vice-master, and Master. But for my part, I better like and commend those who when they find themselves fit to put forth into the world, take the first preferment that is offered unto them, rather than such who live cloistered like Votaries: who have Sacraments to fill up their places be it but to keep out others, such as use no exercise, but wiping the dust off their books, and have an excellent activity in handling the fox tail, such as hold no honour like to Supplicat reverentijs vestris. And to be had Bowser of the College, as good as to be Chief Butler of England.  
These preferments of the College all but that of the Master comes of course by order, and antiquity. Therefore no means but patiented abiding needs for the acquiring of them in their due time.  
I hasten to send your son out of the Cloister into the Commonwealth, and to show you how many ways of Advancement are open unto him abroad, with the means to discover, and attain.   

And first for the Ministry.  
FIrst for his ease, let him look no farther than next to hand, and inquire what benefices belong to their own College, and are in the gift of their Master and Senior fellows (as most Colleges have diverse such) and amongst them which are void at the present, or whose incumbent is not like to live long. And if he find out any such; than if he know not after so long continuance among them to speak in his Seniors own Dialect, let him never travail beyond Trumpington for me.  
More indigitly, For attaining of such a Benefice, let him inquire where the Matins are read with Spectacles, or where the good old man is lifted up into the Pulpit, or the like, and make a way for Succession accordingly.  
Where note, that many times a fellow of the house may hold such a Benefice together with his fellowship, or a Pension for increment of livelihood. And such ties as these, are commonly the bond of matrimony whereby they are so wedded to the College.  
Next, he must climb up to the main top of Speculation, and there look about him to discover what Benefices are empty abroad where the Incumbent lives only upon the Alms of Confectio Alchermi: Or where one is ready to take his rise out of Sierge into Satin, out of Parsonadge and a prebendary, into a Deanarie and a Donative, let him not be slow of footmanship in that case by any means.   

For Benefices abroad.  
Benefices abroad are in the gift of  
The King immediately.  
Or the Lord Keeper for the King.  

Some Lord Bishop,  
Some Dean and Chapter:  
Some Body incorporate:  
Some Parish:  
Some Private Patron:   
You shall find in the Tower a collection of the Patent Rolls gathered of all Presentations made by the King in those days to any Church prebendary or Chapel. In right of the Crown or otherways from 1. of Edward the first, till the midst of Edward the third.  
The King himself only and immediately presented in his own right to such Benefices as belong to him, and are above twenty pounds' value in the first Fruit Books.  
For attaining of any which I can advise you of no better course, than to learn the way to the back stairs.  
The Lord Keeper presents for the King to all such benefifices as belong to his Majesty, and are under twenty pounds' value in the books.  
Now to know which of these are full, and who are Incumbents in any of these.  
Search,  
The first Fruits Office.  
The Clerk, who hath the writing of the Presentations.  
The Lord Keeper's Secretary being.  
Where note that the King hath used very seldom to grant any such living in Reversion.  
And the Lord Keeper now being. His care is so great in this, as in all cases of common good to provide for man's merit, and cherish industry in the growing plants, that no one can offer unto him a request of this kind, without trespass to his good disposition.  
In the next place concerning Benefices in the Presentation of any of the Lords Bishops.  
Note that most Bishoprics in England, have presentation to diverse Benefices belonging to their Seas.  
For the number and present estate of these.  
Search  
Their own Leidgers.  
Their Registers.  
Inquire of  
Their Auditors.  
Their Stewards of their Courts.  
And sometimes you shall light upon some of their books of this kind, in the hands of the heirs or Executors of such as have borne such offices under them.  
He that is Chaplain to such a Lord Bishop, hath for the most part the best means, access, and opportunity, to attain to such a Benefice.  
The commendations of such a great personage as to whom this Patron oweth greatest respect, especially for his affairing in Court, may do some good in the matter.  
The like ways of discovery, and the like means of attaining any Benefice in the Presentation of any Dean, and Chapter, are to be used with them respectively, as with the Bishops.  
With every Dean and Chapter, are likewise diverse Prebendaries to be obtained of their gift after the same manner, and by the same means also.  
The other bodies Incorporate, besides those of Colleges, and Deans and Chapters have many of them especially of London, and some subordinate Societies thereof) right of the presentation to diverse Benefices.  
Also some Parishes by prescription do present to their own perochiall Benefices. And many Patrons are content to present, according to the approbation of the Parishioners upon their hearing, and allowing, and due exclamation of the integrity of the life of such suitors, and no otherwise, diverse governor's, and gradations of the lands of diverse Hospitals, and Mesons de dien have like right of presentation to Benefices, as have other bodies Incorporate. And the means of discovery and attaining are likewise the like.  
In Parishes, and Companies of Tradesmen Incorporate, some very few rule the roast.  
Your Alderman of the Ward his Deputy, your Common Councell-man. Yea sometime that petty Epitome of Wardemote Enquerst, that little busy morsel of justice (the Beadle of the Ward) will make a strong party in the election, if he be put to it. The Probotory Sermon, that must be made upon such trial before such an Auditory, would be according to the capacity in general. But more especially, according to the humour and addiction of those whose wits the rest have in singular reverence. As Mr. Francis Fiat, a good understanding Fishmonger (I assure you) you may give the style of right worshipful to them, though the best man of the company be but a Wine Cooper, and his judgement better in Claret, than in Concioclerum a great deal.  
If your son upon his trial can but fit their palates smoothly which is hard to do; In regard that they are so hollow mouthed, let him be sure though he miss the Benefice for want of preparation, yet ten to one but they will strain themselves, to bring him in as a Lecturer, which is a thing they reverence fare beyond the Person of the Parish by many degrees.  
Lastly, to private Patrons, and the Benefices in their gifts;  
Search,  
The Bishop's Register: for Institution, and Presentation.  
The Archdeacon's Register: for Induction.  
The Archbishop's Register: if it be a peculiar.  
It was my chance lately to see a book of all the Benefices within the Diocese of Canterbury, with the manner of their tything in every each one respectively. In which I find, that there are, or should be with the Register of every Lord Bishop seven Books kept for Entry of the matters, and business of their Diocese, of which this of Benefice in the chief.  
The like I saw formerly of the Diocese of St. David's, which confirms me in the institution, and custom of keeping the said books also in other Diocese.  
And seeing that several private patrons are of several dispositions, some more Lucrative and Covetous: Others more charitable, and religious, I can give you no other rule of attaining the Benefice than this, viz.  
That your son bring with him ability of learning, Integrity of life, and conformity of behaviour, according to the order of the Church established amongst us, and these shall make his way, with the good and generous Patron. But for the other patron it makes no matter at all for learning, and a very little for manners, or whether he be a man conformable or no. Truly he is indifferent, for his part very indifferent.  
To such a Patron your son must present himself: thus (if he mean to be presented) according to present necessity. He must both speak and prove himself a man endued with good gifts. For he shall have to deal with a Patron of a quick Capacity, more dexterous in apprehension than your son or you can be in delivery.  
Be this Patron what he will, your comfort is, the Benefice must be filled, and that within a limited time, howsoever it is dangerous to attend the ending of the day in this case, (For seldom doth the Clerk of the market get any thing by their standing too long and above their accustomed hour.)  
Lapse by reason of Simony, and Lapse for not presenting, in due time, Both offer advancement to learning. But the first is at hand to discover as a witch: And the second as rare to find out as a faithful fiduciary or a fast Friend.  
The degrees of rising in the Ministry are not easier known than practised by the industrious man.  
Briefly if all Church livings in England were equally distributed, There is no one of the Ministry if he want not learning, or good manners, needs want maintenance, or good Livelihood.  
Here I could wish to God; That it might please the right reverend Fathers of the Church the Lord Bishops, That they would once in every of their times cause a true Catalogue of all the Benefices within their several Diocese with the names of the patrons thereof according to the last presentation to be sent into the office of the first fruits for the better information of all such as deserve, and would gladly attain to some means of maintenance, which they may the better do by having recourse thither, there to take notice of all things of this nature. For I know that many sit down in their wants, having good means to many private Patrons, only for lack of knowledge of the same.  
Note that it is an usual thing in private Patrons to grant reversion, and Advowson of such live.  
Myself intended heretofore to collect all such Benefices with their Patrons, into a certain Calendar for such direction (as aforesaid) and made some passage into it. But the farther I went, the more impossible I found it. And I am now resolved that without the Bishop's assistance it cannot be done.  
And so much for the Ministry.    

The Law's promotions follow BY Civil Law, and Common Law.  
FOr breeding of your youth in the Civil Law, there are two Colleges of especial note in our Universities: the one is Trinity-hall in Cambridge; the other is New-Colledge in Oxford.  
I remember me not of any Free-school in England, that have any place appendent in Trinitie-Hall in Cambridge. But in new College of Oxford, the Free-school of Winchester, hath claim both of Scholarships, & Fellowships; the whole College consisting of none other, as I take it.  
It is to be confessed, the charge of breeding a man to the Civil Law, is more expensive, and the way more painful, and the books of greater number, and price than the Common Law requireth. But after the Civil Lawyer is once grown to Maturity. His way of Advancement is more beneficial, more certain, and more easy to attain, than is the Common Lawyers, and all because their number is less, their learning more intricate. And they admit few or no Solicitors to trample between them and the Client. So that the Fee comes to them immediately, and with the more advantage.  

The Preferments at which they arrive, are these:  

Chancellor to the Bishop.  
Archdeacon.  
Commissarie, where they have  
Commissary. Official.  
judge, and Surrogate.  
Advocate for the King.  
Mr. of the Chancery.  
The King's Proctor.  
Advocate, and Proctor at large.  
In these Courts, viz.  
The High Commission.  
The Delegates.  
The Prerogative.  
The Consistory.  
The Arches.  
The Bishop's Courts.  
The Archdeacon's Courts.  
Chancellors, Commissaries and Officials Courts.  
The Admiralty Courts.  
The Court of the King's Requests.   
In times past.  
The countenance of some Bishop, especially of the L. Archbishop upon a Civilian, will much advance his practice as an Advocate, and give him promotion as a judge.  
There are under the greater Officers aforenamed, diverse other inferior Officers: as  

Register.  
Arctuarie.  
Examiner.   
The number of the Doctors (though I find them never to have been limited,) Yet it is certain that the time was within memory of man, when the house of their Commons did commonly give them all sufficient lodging, and diet. And as for the number of Proctors, they were of late times limited. How it is now I know not.   

For the Common Law.  
FOr breeding of Students at the Common Law, take directions for their method of study out of that Tractate which Mr. justice Dodridge did in his time pen for the purpose. Only (for my part) I do much commend the ancient custom of breeding of the younger Students. First, in the Inns of Chancery; there to be the better prepared for the Inns of Court. And this must needs be the better way, seeing too much liberty at the first proves very fatal, to many of the younger sort. I have observed, and much commend also the breeding of some Common Lawyers in this kind, viz.  
That when they have been admitted first into an Inn of the Chancery, they have been withal entered as Clerks in the office of some Prothonotary of the Common-Pleas to add the skill of the Practice to their speculation. And if a Student be thus bred, by his foundation in the one, and his experience in the other, he shall with more facility than others, who step into the Inn of Court at first, attain to an ability of practice.  
Besides other ordinary requisite parts and Arts in a Common Lawyer. Skill in the Records of all Courts of Record, and in other antiquities of Precedent. With some Reading in the Civil Law, also will much enable him.  
The Common Lawyer is to be bred only upon the purse. The charge most at the first. For after he hath spent some few years effectually, he may attain to the employment of some private friends, for advising with, and instructing of greater Counsel, whereby he shall add both to his means, and knowledge.  
It is true, that I have known some Attorneyes and Solicitors, put on a Counsellors gown, without treading the same usual path to the bar (as aforesaid.) But indeed, I never look upon them, but I think of the Tailor, who in one of his Customers cast suits had thrust himself in amongst the Nobility at a Court Mask, where pulling out his Handkerchief, he let fall his Thimble, and was so discovered, and handled, and dandled from hand to foot, till the Guard delivered him at the great Chamber door, and cried, farewell good feeble.  
If the Common Lawyer be sufficiently able in his profession, he shall want no practice, if no practice no profit.  
The time was that the younger Counsel had some such help, as  

To be a Favourite.  
A kindred.  
To marry a Niece, Cousin, or a Chambermaid.   
But those days be past, and better supply their rooms.  
As fellows of Colleges in the Universities get Pensions, or Benefices, to add to their lively hood: So Barresters and Counsellors of the Inns of Court, advance their means by keeping of  

Courts of Manors.  
Leets, and Barons:  
Swannimootes of Forests.  
Stannaries.  
Cinque Ports, etc.   
By places of  

judges of Inferior Courts. As  
London, and other like Corporations.  
The Virdg.  
The Tower of London.  
St. Katherine's near the Tower.  
Borough of Southwark.  
The Clinke.  
Wentwort and like Liberties.   
By office of  

Recorder of some Corporate Town.  
feodary of some Counties:  
The King's Counsel in the  
Marches of Wales, or at York,  
or judge, or Counsel of some  
County Palatine:   
The greater places of preferment for Common Lawyers are  
The judges at Westminster, and elsewhere:  
The next, are all the several  
Officers of the Courts of Westminster and elsewhere:  
All which you shall find set forth briefly in Smith's Commonwealth of England, and part in mine own Search of Records. And all these, together afford sufficient maintenance for thousands of persons who may be here well provided for.  
Here I should and here I could for better direction of younger brothers, show what menial Clarkeships of large exhibition, are under the great Officers of the Land, the judges, the King's Counsel, and other Officers which are not elsewhere published. And I know it would open a door to many a proper man's preferment especially; under the Lord Keeper: as Secretaries for Chancery business, and Spiritual promotions the Commission of the Peace, Injunctions, the Dockquets. And other the like under the Lord Treasurer, as Secretaries for the business of the Realm, and the Customhouse besides the Inlets to so many preferments about the Customs, and Escheators: places, under the Lord Treasurer, under the Chancellor of the Exchequer Duchy, and Principality of Wales, and Duchy of Cornwall, as Seal keeper, Secretary, etc.  
Under the Master of the Court of Wards, as Secretary; under the judges, as Marshal, Clarke of the Bails, etc. Under the Barons of the Exchequer, as Examiner; Clerk of the Bails and other Clerks.  
Under the King's Attorney General, as Clerk of the Pattens, Clerk of the Confessions and entries, Clerk of the References, Book bearer. Under the Solicitor General, Clerk of the Patents, Book bearer. Besides many other Clerks under the white staves of the Court, and in the Counting house, and many several offices. All which with hundreds more that I could name, with a plainer and more large deduction, were it not for fear that what I well intent for general good, would be taken in offence for private prejudice. But for the Clarkeship of the King's household, examine farther the Black book in the Exchequer.    

The Physician follows.  
ANd here I remember me of an old tale following, viz.  
At the beginning of the happy reign of our late good Queen Elizabeth, diverse Commissioners of great place being authorized to inquire of, and to displace all such of the Clergy as would not conform to the reformed Church, one amongst others was Convented before them, who being asked whether he would subscribe or no, denied it, and so consequently was adjudged to lose his benefice, and to be deprived his function, whereupon in his impatience he said;  
That if they (meaning the Commissioners) held the course it would cost many a man's life. For which the Commissioners called him back again, and charged him that he had spoke treasonable, and seditious words tending to the raising of a rebellion, or some tumult in the Land, for which he should receive the reward of a Traitor. And being asked whether he spoke those words or no, he acknowledged it, and took upon him the justification thereof; for said he, ye have taken from me my living, and profession of the Ministry, Scholarship is all my portion, and I have no other means now left for my maintenance, but to turn Physician, and before I shall be absolute Master of that Mystery (God he knows) how many men's lives it will cost. For few Physicians use to try experiments upon their own bodies.  
With us it is a Profession can maintain but a few. And diverse of those more indebted to opinion, than learning, and (for the most part) better qualified in discoursing their travails, than in discerning their Patient's maladies. For it is grown to be a very huswives trade, where fortune prevails more than skill. Their best benefactor the Neapolitan, Their grand Seignieur. The Sorpego, their Gonfollinere. The Sciaticke, their great Marshal that calls the Muster roll of them all together at every Spring and Fall, are all as familiar to her as the Cuckoo at Cank-wood in May. And the cure of them is the skill of every good old Ladies cast Gentlewoman, when she gives over painting, she falls to plastering, and shall have as good practice as the best of them, for those kind of diseases.  
Marry for women's griefs amongst Physicians, the Masculine is more worthy than the Feminine.  
Secrecy is the chief skill, and virility the best learning that is required in a Woman's Physician. But I never read of many of those to be long lived, or honestly wived hitherto in all my reading.  
Hitherto I speak nothing in disrepute of the more reverend, and learned sort of Physicians, who are to be had in singular reverence, and be useful to mankind next to the Divine. Indeed, I rather pity them, and pitying smile to see how prettily these young gamesters Male and Female lay about them, and engross the greater part of Patientrie in all places wheresoever.  
And here I may more fitly say (God knows) how many men's lives this abused opinion had of such Gamesters costs. Because they be not Masters of that Mystery, and that science which requires the Greek tongue, exactly, all the learning, and skill of Philosophy, History of all sorts (especially natural) knowledge of all vegetatives and Minerals, and whatsoever dwells within the four elements. Also skill in Astronomy, Astrology. And so much of the judicials upon all manner of Calculations as may be well warranted with much other kind of learning, art & skill, whereof my young travailing Physician, and trading waiting woman never heard.  

Their means of Advancement are in these ways, viz.  
To be Physician of some College in one of the Universities, (as diverse Colleges have such places)  
Physician to the King or Queen's person.  
Physician to either of their households.  
Or to some Hospital, (as most have such.)  
Or to some great persons, who may prefer them hereafter, and be somewhat helpful in the mean time.  
To a good old Usurer, or one that hath got his great estate together unconscionably: For they fear nothing but death, and will buy life at any rate: There is no coward to an ill Conscience.  
It is not amiss, to make way of acquaintance with Gallants given, to deep drinking, and surfeiting: For they are patients at all times of the year.  
Or, a Gentlewoman that would fain use the means to be pregnant.  
Or, your Lascivious Lady, and your man in the Periwig will help to furnish with a foot-cloth.  
A Citizen's wife of a weak stomach, will supply the fringe to it.  
And if all fail. And the  will afford no room: Let them find out some strange water, some unheardof Spring. It is an easy matter to discolour or alter the taste of it in some measure, (it makes no matter how little.) Report strange cures that it hath done. Beget a Superstitious opinion in it. Good-fellowship shall uphold it. And the neighbouring Towns shall all swear for it.    

The Apprentice follows.  
THe first question is, to what Trade you will put your Son, and which is most worthy of choice.  
For the Merchant it requireth great stock, great experience in Foreign estates. And great hazard, and adventure at the best.  
And this is not all. For it depends upon the Peace of our State with foreign Princes, especially those with whom we hold mutual traffic, Or, who lie in our way to intercept, or impediment our Trade abroad. Besides that, in time of War they can hold no certainty of dealing, or supplying their Factory in parts beyond the Seas. Shipping is subject ever at the let go, to be stayed. Mariners to be pressed, and many other inconveniences attend them in such times. Besides the burden of Custom and Imposition which all States impose more or less. So that unless we have peace with such Neighbours, there is little hope in that profession in the ordinary and lawful way of trading.  
Happily you will allege that some Merchants thrive well enough, when the wars most rage, and when the stream of State is most troubled. Some than hold it to be the best fishing; they that gain then (Sir) if they gain justifiably: gain not as Merchants, but as men of War, which occupation a man may learn without serving seven years apprenticeship unto it.  
And if they gain justifiably as Merchants, it must be in some general stock of a Society incorporated, who have purse to pass to and fro with sufficient power, in the most dangerous times. And if such Societies are tolerable at any time; it is at such times. How they be otherwise allowable, I leave to consideration.  
For the Shopkeeper, his welfare for the most part, depends upon the prosperity of the Merchant. For if the Merchant sit still, the most of them may shut up their Shop windows. Little Skill, Art, or Mystery, shall a man learn in Shopkeeping. A man shall never in foreign parts, being put to his shifts out of his own Meridian, live by the skill of weighing and measuring. The most use of advantage he can make of it, is to benefit between the Mart and the Market, than which nothing is more uncertain, seeing there is no true judicial of the falling, and rising of commodities. And the casualties that they are subject unto, especially) in time of War.  
Take this for a general rule, that those Trades which ask most with an Apprentice, are incertainest of thriving, and require greatest stocks of setting up. Amongst Trades, give me those that have in them some Art, Craft, or Science, by which a man may live, and be a welcome guest to all Countries abroad, and have employment in the most stormy times at home, when Merchants and Shopkeepers are out of use: (as,) 

An Apothecary.  
A Druggist.  
A Chirurgeon.  
A Lapidary.  
A jeweller.  
A Printer.  
An Ingraver in stones & metal.  
One that hath skill in seasoning of shipwood.  
A Carpenter of all sorts, especially of shipping.  
A Smith of all sorts, especially of Clocks, Watches, Guns, etc.  
A Planter, and Gardner of all sorts.  
An Engineer for making of Patars, and the like Engines of War. And  
Hot Presses for cloth, etc. And  
Engines to weigh any Ship, or Guns that are drowned, etc. Skrues, etc.  
A maker of all sorts of Instruments, for Navigation, Compasses, Globes, Astrolabes.  
A Drainer of grounds Surmounded.  
A Sale-maker, and  
A maker of Cordage, Tackle, etc. A Lymner.  
A Clothier, a Clothworker, and a Dyer.  
A Tailor, Shoemaker, Glover, Perfumer, & trimmer of gloves  
An Imbroyderer.  
A Feltmaker, a Glazier, and one that can paint in Glass.  
Briefly, any Manufacture or trade, wherein is any Science, or craft.    
Only those Trades are of least use and benefit, which are called Huswives Trades (as Brewer, Baker, Cook, and the like.) Because they be the skill of women as well as of men, and common to both.  
I would have you know, that the Maker was before the Retaylor, and most Shopkeepers are but of a sublimated Trade and retail, but as Attorneyes to the maker. But if the Maker (without dispute of Freedom in any Corporation, might set up Shop and sell his commodity immediately) it would be a great deal better for the Commonwealth, than now it is.  
Besides, it is no matter of difficulty, burden, or disgrace, for a Shopkeeper, yea a Merchant, or a Gentleman, to have the skill of some one of these Manufactures, besides his Revenue, or profession, to accompany him, what fortune soever may carry him into Country's unknown.  
To my knowledge, a great Earl lately of this Land, did think it no scorn to endeavour the attaining of the Craft, and trade of a Farrior, wherein he grew excellent.  
And when our acquaintance took first life with those of the Low Counrries, upon a Treaty wherein our Ambassador strove to set forth the worthiness of our King and Kingdom, with the Native commodities thereof. The Dutch (ignorantly conceiving that no man could attain to wealth, without some good occupation, or manufacture) asked him, what handicraft our King was brought up unto, or what trade he had used to get so much wealth withal.  
I admit the Merchant Royal, that comes to his Profession by travail & Factory, full fraught, and free adventure to be a profession worthy the seeking. But not the hedg-creeper, that goes to seek custom from shop to shop, with a Cryll under his arm, that leaps from his Shopboard to the Exchange, and after he is fame-falne and credit cracked, in two or three other professions, shall wriggle into this and that, when he comes upon the Exchange, in stead of enquiring after such a good ship, spends the whole hour in disputing, whether is the more profitable housekeeping, either powder Beef and brews, or with fresh Beef and Porridge: though (God wots) the black Pot at home be guilty of neither. And so he departs when the Bell rings, & his guts rumble, both to one tune, and the same purpose.  
The Merchant Royal might grow prosperous, were it not for such poor patching interloping Lapwings, that have an adventure of two Cauldron of Coals at Newcastle; As much oil in the Greeneland fishing, as will serve two Cobblers for the whole year ensuing. And another at Rowsie, for as many Fox-skins, as will fur his Long-lane gown, when he is called to the Livery.  
The Shopkeeper is a cleanly Trades; especially, your Linen-draper, which company hath the greatest Commonalty, and the largest privileges of all other; and yet they maintain nothing by Charter, for (indeed) they have none.  
But a manufacture for my money; especially, if he sell to the wearer immediately.  
Now for the better encouragement of men of Trade. Know that in most Companies of Tradesmen incorporate (especially in London) there is provision made by diverse benefactors of their Societies deceased, for the enabling and setting up of young beginners, by stocks of money remaining in the hands of some few of the chief of their Company, (how faithfully disposed, I leave to their own consideration). But surely the poorer sort complain much of the misimployment of it generally.  
There is but one little Crevice to peep in at their dealings. And that is between their Master's conscience, and the Clarks connivance, which is so narrow, that you may sooner discern the South Pole through the main Centre, than discover their mystery.  
Indeed in times past, the Clearkship of the Company hath been bestowed upon some ancient decayed member of the Company, for his livelihood. But the Attorney & Scrivener; and some petty Clerks of the City, by the Letters of, etc. preoccupy those places.  
And here I could wish for righting of the dead, and relieving of the poorer members of such Companies, who are kept in ignorance. That some pains were taken in the Prerogative Office, for the collating of all gifts of this nature, to be published in print, that the meanest might thereby be able to call their Grand Masters to account, if they abuse the trust in them reposited in this behalf. I acknowledge the youth of mine age to be determined. And (God knows) how poor a remain of life is left in my Glass, yet if it may please those in whom the power resteth, to give me leave to search (gratis) for all Grants and gifts of pious use in all kinds whatsoever. I could willingly bestow that little of my Lamp, in collection of these things, and publish them to posterity. Provided always, that I and mine may have the privilege of imprinting the same for some sitting number of years to come.   

The Navigator.  
NExt to the man of Trade, or rather equally with him I must give the Navigator his due for that his profession is as full of science; as useful to the Commonwealth, and as profitable to himself as any trade whatsoever. If he attain the skill of knowing, and handling the tackle, the certain art of his Compass, the knowledge of languages, and dispositions of foreign Nations where he travails and trades, he may rise from a Squabler to a Master, from a Master to be a General honestly, and with good reputation in a short time.  
The Navigator his way of Advancement, & employment is, by 
The Lords of his Majesty's privy Council.  
The High Admiral:  
Commissioners for the King's Navy:  
Chief of ficers of the Navyes of Societies incorporate:  
Private Merchants, & the like.   
With the Trinity house.  
But if he get to be an Owner, he may trade as free as bird in air, as a man of war or a man of trade, and Commerce. If he take heed that he entrench not upon the incorporated Companies, especially the minotaur. He cannot do amiss (with God's assistance.) He may live merrily, and contentedly, be it but in trading as a mere Carrier of home commodities. Imported from one port to another within the kingdom.   

The Husbandman.  
THe Husbandman may likewise for the happy content of the life, and the honest gain which it brings with it, be worthy to invite a right good man's son to undergo the profession.  
Your son whom you intent for a Husbandman, must be of a disposition part gentile, and rustic equally mixed together. For if the Gentleman be predominant: his running Nag will outrun the Constable. His extraordinary strong Beer will be too headstrong in office of Churchwarden. And his well mouthed dogs will make him out-mouth all the Vestry. But if the clown be predominant, he will smell all brown bread and garlic. Besides, he must be of a hardy temper than the rest of his brethren, because the unhealthfullest corners of the Kingdom are the most profitable for Farmers. He must especially aim at a Tenancy under the Crown, or some Bishop's Sea, Deane and Chapter, some College, some Company, some Hospital, or some other body incorporate. Wherein the Auditor or Receiver, must be his best Intelligencer, and Director. Young unthrifts acquaintance when they first arrive at the age of one and twenty. And good old conscionable Landlords that hold it a deadly sin to raise the rents of their Grandfathers, or hope to be delivered out of Purgatory by their Tenants prayers will do well.  
These professions before mentioned, be (as it were) the orbs to receive all fixed stars, and such dispositions as may be put into any certain frame.  
But for a more libertine disposition,  
Fit it with the profession of a Courtier.  
For an overflowing, and Ranker disposition, make him a Soldier.  
But beyond this he is a lost man, not worthy a father's remembrance, or providence.   

The Courtier's ways of advancement be these.  
BY the general and most ancient rule of Court, if you would have him to be preferred unto the King's service in the end. And in the mean time to have sufficient means of maintenance, Place him with one of the White Staves of the Household.  
By the more particular rule, (if you can) put him unto the Lord High Steward his Service (who amongst the white Staves) hath the chiefest hand in preferring to any office beneath stayrs  
If the High Steward be full, seek to the Lord Chamberlain, who hath the chief power to prefer to the places above stayrs, and to the Wardrobe.  
And if there be no entrance there, then seek to the Treasurer of the Household, and next to the Controller. The Master of the Household. The Cofferer, & the rest of the green Cloth.  
The Master of the Horse prefers the Avenanarie and other Clarkeships offices, and places about the Stable.  
The principal Secretary hath heretofore had a great hand in preferring to the Clarkeships in the office of the Signet, and the Lord privy Seal into the privy Seal office.  
The Master of the great Wardrobe into the Clarkships, & offices there. The Master of the Robes. The Master of the jewell-house, the Keeper of the privy Purse. The Master of the Toils and Tents with some other the like have whilom been the means of preferring diverse their followers into the service of the King, in diverse beneficial places, and Clarkeships, in their several offices respectively.  
The Lord Treasurer without the house, prefers to his Majesty's service, in most places in or about the Custome-houses, in all the parts of England.  
And besides these, I find no means used of old, for preferment into the King's service for these kind of places.  
The yeomen of the Guard were wont to come in for their personage, and activity by their Captain's allowance.  
And the Bedchamber men's fervants ever were in way to be preferred for Pages of the privy Chamber, or Grooms, or placed at the back stairs, not of right, but of custom.  
For the Clerks of the Household, they were wont anciently to rise by certain degrees, according to the prescription of the Black Book, but how it is now I know not.  
For your better satisfaction of Court Offices, their order and Fee, Search the Black Book in the Exchequer, & in the Court. And for all Offices whatsoever under the King, throughout the whole Kingdom; Either in Castle, Parke, Chase, Court, or house of the King's royalty or place soever, with the then Fees of the same, I refer you to a book, Whereof many hundred Copies are extant, which was collected by the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, and by him delivered to the late Queen Elizabeth of famous memory. And so much for the Courtier.   

The Soldier follows.  
ANd the question is first.  
Whether the better way of thriving, is to be a Sea Soldier, or a Land Soldier.  
Questionless the better way of thriving is to be a Sea Soldier, In this Kingdom of England, being an Island, for that he is more useful to his Country. More learning is required to be a Sea Soldier than to be a Land Soldier. A Sea Soldier is certain of victuals, and wages; where the Land Soldiers pay will hardly find him sustenance. A Sea Soldier may now and then chance to have a snap at a booty or a prize which may in an instant make him a fortune for ever; where the Land Soldier may in an age come to the ransacking of a poor fisher Town at the most.  
More valour is required in a Sea Soldier than in a Land Soldier; because the extremity of the place requires it. The Sea Captain is exposed to as much danger during the whole fight, as the poorest man in the Ship, where the land Captain useth but to offer his men to the face of the enemy, & then retreateth.  
The way to rise to preferment at Sea, is by the Admiral's countenance, and the Vice Admirals in the King's service, or in other service by the favour of great traded Merchants, and especially of your bodies incorporate: and their chief Officers; and more especially their Precedent, & Treasurer for the time being.  
His breeding is a matter of more moment than his age regardeth.  
If he be true bred, he should be first made a perfect Navigator able to direct the Steerage of their course, able to know the tackle, and appoint every Sailor to his charge. He should know what number of Saylors, what Ordinance, and what munition should be requisite for a Ship of such a burden.  
He should be a skilful Caneere, and able to direct the Gunner, to say what quantity of powder a Piece of such boar and depth requireth, and of what weight the bullet should be where such a quantity of powder is used, whether the Piece be sound or hony-combed. He should be able to know and direct what quantity of victual should be required for so many men, for such a voyage. And what quantity of powder and shot.  
Also, to oversee and direct the Purser and Steward, in the expense of their victual without profuseness, or too much parsimony.  
Likewise skilful in all manner of Fireworks, and fitting Engines for sea fight.  
Briefly, he should be so complete, as that none should be able to teach him in his place, and he skilful to control every other in their places. He should be courteous and loving to his men. Above all things he should be zealous of the honour of God. See that the divine service be duly read on board Evening and Morning, and that swearing be severely punished. A Sea Captain, is not a place for a young man to leap into instantly, and immediately out of a Lady's Vshership; a Great man's bed chamber, or a Littleton's discipleship.  
It is not your feathered Gallant of the Court, nor your Tavern Roarer of the City, becomes this place I assure you.  
I find not any Meson de dieu, for relieving of mained Mariners only, but that erected at Chattam by Sir john Hawkins Knight, Treasurer of the Navy of the late Queen Elizabeth; wherein it was provided, that there should be a deduction of Sixpence by the Month, out of every man and boy their wages in every voyage towards the same. Which I could wish were as well employed as collected.  

The Land Soldier follows.  
IF the Land-Soldier think to thrive and rise by degrees of service, from a Common Soldier to a Captain in this age, (alas) he is much deceived.  
That custom is obsolete, and grown out of use. Do what he can do in Land-service, he shall hardly rise by his single merit.  
His happiness shall be but to fill his hungry belly, and satiate himself upon a Pay day.  
But if he be of kin, or a favourite to some great Officer, he may carry the Colours the first day, be a Lieutenant the second, and a Captain before he knows how many days go to the week in the Regiment.  
The Land-service where a man may learn most experience of War discipline, is in the Low-Countries, by reason of the long exercise of wars and variety of Stratagems there.  
Beyond that Northward, the service is both more unprofitable and more dangerous, and less experience is to be there learned.  
The more your Son turns his face to the South, the more profitable the Land-service is.  
Lastly, if he have no friend or kindred to raise in the Land-service, I assure you that there is no Law against buying and selling of Offices in the Low-Countries, for aught that I have red. Neither is it markable amongst them.  
After the Soldier returns home, it makes no matter what number of wounds he can reckon about him.  
All the ways of relief for him that I can number are these:  
A poor Knight's place of Windsor; If the Herald report him a Gentleman, And the Knights of the Honourable Order of the Garter will accept him  
A Brother of Suttons' Hospital; If the feoffs have not servants of their own to prefer before him.  
A Pensioner of the County; if the Justices find him worthy. And that he was pressed forth of the same County. S. Thomas in Southwark, and S. Bartholomews' Smithfield; only till their wounds or diseases be cured and no longer. And that if the Masters of the said Hospitals please to receive them.  
For the Savoy where Soldiers had a foundation, I know none now.  
And other Houses appropriated for relief of Soldiers now in use I remember none.  
For the chief are long since demolished. The Templarij are gone. The Knights of S. john of jerusalem forgotten. That famous House upon Lincoln green is razed to the ground. And many the like now better known by the Records than the remains of their ruins with their Revenue, are all diverted from the uses of their first foundation to private and peculiar Inheritances, which I pity more than the dissolution of all the Monasteries that ever were.  
Here you see is preferment enough for your six Sons though you bestow every one upon a several Profession. Only take this general Rule for all, viz.  
To what course soever your Sons shall betake them. Be sure that they all have Grammar learning at the least. So shall they be able to receive and retain the impression of any the said Professions. And otherwise, shall scarce possibly become Masters in the same, or any one of them. Or if they do, It will be with more than ordinary pains and difficulty.    

Your three Daughters challenge the next place.  
FOr their Portions, I shown you before; how and when to raise them. That is, by the Marriage of your eldest Son, or out of that part of your personal estate which you may spare without prejudice of yourself.  

For their breeding.  
I Would have their breeding like to the Dutch Woman's clothing, tending to profit only and comeliness.  
And though she never have a dancing schoolmaster, a french Tutor, nor a Scotch tailor, to make her shoulders of the full breath of Bristol Cow-say. It makes no matter. For working in curious Italian purls, or French borders, it is not worth the while. Let them learn plain works of all kind, so they take heed of too open seeming. In stead of Song and Music, let them learn Cookery & Laundry, And in stead of Reading Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia, let them read the grounds of good Housewifery. I like not a Female Poëtresse at any hand: let greater personages glory their skill in Music, the posture of their bodies, their knowledge in languages, the greatness, and freedom of their Spirits; and their arts in arraigning of men's affections, at their flattering Faces: this is not the Way to breed a private Gentleman's daughter.  
If the mother of them be a good Huswife, and Religiously disposed, let her have the bringing up of one of them. Place the other two forth betimes, & before they can judge of a good manly Leg.  
The one in the house of some good Merchant, or Citizen of civil and Religious government: the other in the house of some Lawyer, some Judge, or well reported Justice or Gentleman of the Country, where the Servingman is not too predominant. In any of these she may learn what belongs to her improvement, for Sempstry, Confectionary, and all requisits of Housewifery. She shall be sure to be restrained of all rank company, and unfitting Liberty, which are the overthrow of too many of their Sex: there is a pretty way of breeding young maids in an Exchange shop, or S. martin's le grand. But many of them get such a Crick with carrying the Band-boxe under their Apron unto gentlemen's chambers, that in the end it is hard to distinguish whither it be their belly or their band-boxe makes such a goodly show and in a trade where a woman is sole chapman, she claims such a pre-eminence over her Husband, that she will not be held to give him an account of her dealings, either in retail, or whole sale. A Merchant's Factor, and a Citizen's servant of the better sort, cannot disparage your daughters with their society. And the judges, Lawyers, & justice's followers, are not ordinary Servingmen, but of good breed, & their education, for the most part Clarkely, whose service promiseth farther and future benefit.  
Your daughter at home will make a good wife for some Yeoman's eldest son, whose father will be glad to crown his sweeting frugality, with alliance to such a house of Gentry.  
Likewise the youngmans' singers will itch to be handling of taffeta, and to be placed at the table, and to be carved unto by Mistress Dorothy, it will make him and the good plain old jone his mother, to pass over all respect of portion or patrimony.  
For your Daughter at the Merchants, and her sister if they can carry it wittily, the City affords them variety.  
The young Factor being fancy caught in his days of Innocency, and before he travail so fare into experience as into foreign Countries, may lay such a foundation of first love in her bosom, as no alteration of Climate can alter.  
So likewise may Thomas the fore man of the Shop, when beard comes to him, as Apprenticeship goes from him, be entangled and belymed with the like springs. For the better is as easily surprised as the worse.  
Some of our Clerkly men complain the moisture of their palms. Others the Sorpego in their wrists, both moving means.  
With a little patience your daughter may light upon some Counsellor at Law, who may be willing to take the young Wench, in hope of favour with the old judge. An Attorney will be glad to give all his profit of a Michaelmas Term, Fees and all, but to woo her through a Crevice. And the Parson of the Parish being her Lady's Chaplain, will forswear eating of tithe Pig, for a whole year, for such a parcel of Gleb Land at all times. And so much for your Sons and Daughters.  
I now espy mine Host of the Bull here in S. Albon's standing at his door upon his left leg, like to the old Drummer of Parish-garden, ready to entertain us: therefore I will here conclude with that of the Poet 
— Navibus atque  
Quadragiss petimus benevivere, quod petis hic est,  
Est ang lis, animus si te, non deficit equais.    
FINIS.   

THE MYSTERY AND MISERY OF LENDING AND BORROWING.  
BY THO: POWEL, Gent.  
LONDON: Printed by Thomas Harper for Benjamin Fisher, and are to be sold at his shop in Aldersgate street at the sign of the Talbot. 1636.   

THE MYSTERY and misery of Lending and Borrowing.  
SETTING aside the contemplation of such Lending and Borrowing, as whereby the soul of Traffic is breathed into the body of a Commonwealth; I descend lower to that practice of mutuation, whereby we accommodate one another for our present necessity in moneys and other requisites.  

First, for the Borrower.  
I Will first show who be the most notable sort of Borrowers and Bookmen.  
Next, what method every one holds in his several way of Borrowing and Booking.  
Then their several cause of failing and insolvency.  
Next their sundry ways and weapons; with which they fence with their Creditors.  
Next, their noted places of refuge and retirement.  
Then their Jubilies and days of privilege.  
Lastly, the certain marks of a conscious cautious Debtor, with the Marshal discipline of the Mace, according to the Modern practice of these days.   

Next for the Creditor.  
I Will first show the charitable extent of the Creditors courtesy.  
Then his Mystery of Multiplication.  
Next, how the Oyster caught the Crow. The hand in the book bred the wind-collicke in the warehouse.  
And then how that wind being not able to force a passage through the caverns of his credit, shaked the very foundation of his shopboard, threatening a most sudden, strange, and stormy eruption.  
Next, the signs forerunning the wonderful crack.  
Then the Reparation of the decayed man.  
And lastly, the singular comfort which the Commonwealth received by him, when he was sent forth for current out of his Creditors mint, with a new impression and a second edition.  
And of these in order.  
The chief and most notable Borrowers are,  
The Courtier, that neither cares for the call of the Counting house, nor the Check of the Chamber.  
The Inns of Court-men that never was student.  
The Country Gentleman no Hospital housekeeper.  
The City Gallant that never arrived at his freedom by service.    


The Courtiers method follows.  
FIrst he invites his Creditor to a dish of Court-Ling, with Masculine Mustard plenty.  
Then he shows him the privy Lodgings, and the new banqueting house.  
Perhaps the Robes next.  
Then the great Magolls tent in the Wardrobe: And so much serves for the first meeting, and to procure an appetite to the second.  
To the second meeting our Creditor is summoned, and brings behind him his Wife, like to a broken wicker glass bottle hanging at his tail, and enters into the Masking room.  
Whereat the Courtier's skill in delivering of the Maskers names, under their several disguises, did purchase an everlasting and indissoluble City-consanguinity with his female charge, over whom the more sleepy her spouse, the more vigilant was my Cousin Courtier.  
And now he hath made his party strong enough to visit my Citizen, and to borrow and take up of him at his own home, in the most familiar phrase that can be devised for such like use and purpose.  
Then for the quickening, continuing, and enlargeing of of his credit, our Courtier pretends how he has received news that his feigned kindred is very sick: and thereupon a takes occasion (in stead of venison) to send her bottle of that famous and fare fetched Frontineack: He bids himself to dinner the same day, and there in a cursory way of commending the excellent art of man, in matter of Manufacture, he falls by chance upon the remembrance of an extraordinary stuff which he saw a great personage wear lately in Court, not doubting but that his cousins' shop did afford the like: His purpose was to have a suit of the same very shortly, if they would but lay it by till his monies come in: Yet with a very little entreaty so cleanly exprompted, he was persuaded to take it along with him, but only for fear lest the whole piece might be sold by the foolish foreman unawares before his return.  
Give us old Ale and book it,  
O give us old Ale and book it:  
And when you would have your money for all  
My cousin may chance to look it.   

The Inns of Courtman, and his method.  
FIrst he makes himself acquainted with the Creditor, by going to him in company with one who is a known customer there, and an approved good paymaster.  
Then he procures this known customer to take the man of credence (as it were) modestly apart, and at his back while he is walking down the shop and aversed, to whisper: That this gentleman whom you see here, is son and heir to that worthy Knight so potent in the Peake, or that most markable Malster of much Marlborne: or the great Grazier of Grims borrow, or the like. Then he returns to the upper end of the shop, and the Master takes an occasion to call to Thomas to give the Gentleman a stool, and tells him that he knows his friends very well: The ancient Manor house, and the Mill, and goodly meadows a little beneath in the bottom: adding further, that no doubt but if he please the good old Gentleman, he may in time be owner of them all himself.  
Be owner; says my Inns court man. Why I tell you, that Water-mill came by my mother, with all the Meadows of that Level: And my Father would hang himself he cannot give them away from me.  
And whereas you say I may be owner in time, I think the old man has held them long enough: unless you would make his time endless, and him a very wand'ring Jew. I wis my Grandfather served not him so, he knew what he did when he died. He did it out of true judgement, in fullness of understanding, able to pen his own will himself, when he was no longer serviceable to his Country, he would not live only to mend the fire, or preserve it by applying every circumstant cinder within his reach: but though I pinch for it awhile, a time (I hope) may come.  
Whereat my Creditor interrupting him, says, alas you pinch for it? That shall not need) God be thanked) your credit it worthy to be ranked in a shop book, cheek by jowl with any debitory disposed Gentleman of this town whatsoever. Besides, if you would be loath to have your name extant in so public a Repertory, you are able by such estate as is inseparably annexed to your person, to give farther assurance (I do but speak it if need were) by otherways, and otherwise at your pleasure.  
Further assurance (replies my Gallant) A pox on't For assurance they shall have what they will: And for price of any thing, it is my desire they should gain by me, yea they shall gain by me: For otherwise how should you be able to live by it?  
Now sir, you speak like an honest gentleman (says he again) gain) I would all our customers were of your mind, there be too few such as you are; if you have need of any thing here, either for your wearing, or else for conversion, wherein I hope you conceive me sir, it is at your command.  
Hereupon the man of the sword swears that he shall not outdo him in nobleness: Had he rob the Statues of the new Standard of all their royal resolutions. He vows to return thither again, and that speedily to bring his Tailor with him advisedly: to take up for diverse uses with much facility, and to give assurance according to the direction of his own Scriviner, a Bow lane most legally.  
And so leave we him like a horse put up to diet, whereby to be prepared to run his train scents on the deepest ground of assurance, that City counsel can find out or devise.  
Puppy runs well, but who shall win the day.  
Puppy? or Noddy? 'Tis an even lay.   

The Country Gentleman his Mothod  
THe Country Gentleman, he is by this time come up to London; and has brought his Attorney with him, one that professes the taking up of money by writ of right. His Attorney brings him to the Ship behind the Exchange, and leaves him there while he goes to fetch the only Noverint in in those parts, whom he prepares at his shop with the purpose, advising him withal in his ear, so to handle the matter in hall, that beards may wag all, which he delivered with a most familiar wring of him by the hand, to insinuate his meaning as unto his share: He than brings the Scrivener unto the tavern, good compliance is in all parties, and the Scrivener according to the true practice of most of them, at the first meeting, especially while they are with the borrower in the tavern, was more easy in promising, than they in proposing.  
The Attorney then softly tells the Gentleman apart, that he should do well to bespeak supper instantly, assuring him that if he could but fasten that courtesy upon the Scrivener for the present, he were their own for ever after, neither the sum nor the security could be matter of any difficulty.  
The counsel was held wholesome as unto the supper, the Attorney was forthwith preferred to the Bar, where he spoke so learnedly in the cause, that upon the same hearing they recovered three full dishes on their side, the boys drew the proceeding of the business very Clarkelike, the Kirchinmaid supplied with the Tales. The Mistress called earnestly for the Postea, and the Master he rated and allowed the bill of costs.  
At the execution whereof, my Scrivener fearing lest the shot should disperse and scatter itself amongst them, while the Gentleman was feeling for money to discharge it; he to facilitate that hand, asks him softly in his care; What is the sum that he would have? Then suspecting the long dwelling of his hand in his pocket, he tells him, He shall have what sum he will: Let me see, faies the Scrivener, there comes in this night of Sir Samvan Skynkers money, five hundred, and to morrow as much more I can supply you from one hundred to ten out of that as your occasions require: how say you?  
We will have no dry reckoning replies the Gentleman: here's the full sum of the bill and and a pottle over; though we be Leicester-shire fed, yet we be not Brackly bred, I assure you.  
And for the sum which I should (or at least would have) for especial occasions, Let me see: there is a horse-race at Northampton on Monday come seven-night: I must needs have new furniture for Crop-care, which I will send down by Leicester Wagon.  
I will have that Hawk which I saw in Southwark this afternoon: clothes would do well: but that's my least care of a thousand. A pox a pride I say.  
Howsoever I must see the party I told you of by the way, before I go out of town, by any means if she keep the same lodging & the same name that she was wont to do: that's all now. Let's see, a matter of some three hundred will do't so far forth as my present and most urgent occasions do press me at this instant:  
As for payment,  
And for raiment,  
For hedges and mounds,  
And stocking of grounds,  
For Corn for seed,  
Or Cattle to breed,  
Or the Wolf at the door,  
And a thousand things more.  
They are nothing so important and concerning as the least of these: I would not miss Monday come seven-night for three such sums, I tell you Sir: Monday come seven-night! That were a jest indeed.  
For that and what you please beside, says the Scrivener, you shall find no default on my party: This honest Gentleman that is with you knows the course of these kind of businesses: He and I shall take my leave at this time.  
The Scrivener departs, and the Gentleman stays behind, only to hug and endear the endowments of him that procured this meeting: He praises the prosperity of their journey, commands the comely carriage of the Scrivener, and vows everlasting acknowledgement of his Attorney's activity. And so they betake themselves to their lodging likewise for that night.  
The next morning my gentleman sends his Attorney to see that the money which he spoke for, be told out and made ready for him against his coming, which should be when and where it shall please the honest Scrivener. (For by this time he had attained so much of reputation among them.  
The same day and the next were both spent in continual quest of the Scrivener. But the Boys in the Shop according to their master's direction made answer, one while that he was gone to Sir Sam for moneys: Another while that he was at the sealing of writings at such a place: Then that he was at the speeding of a Commission of Bankeruptisme at Guildhall, God bless the place, and every good man of the Grand Jury: And then shortly after, that he was but even now gone forth, and that it was impossible but that he should meet him, unless the dust of Popes-head Alley had put out his eyes by the way.  
The time wears out, and the horse-race comes onward, the apprehension whereof puts our Gentleman into such a perpassion, that on the next day early in the morning he goes to the Scrivener's shop, where suddenly and unawares he finds him saying his prayers, while he was withal cross gartering of himself: and had he not known him better by his crosse-garters then by his prayers, questionless he had lost his labour.  
Good morrow (says the Gentleman) perhaps I do disturb your devotion?  
You Rascal, how chance you do not hang out the Labels? (says the Scrivener to his boy) Then he proceeds with his prayers, and suddenly bespeaks the Gentleman, ask, What is your will with me Sir? Have you any business with me I pay now?  
O Lord Sir, (says he) I hope you remember what past between us at the Ship on wednesday night last, touching the three hundred which I was indeed to have the next morning, parcel of the thousand which was to come in then  
Hum (says the Scrivener) I think there was some such matter: I remember we talked of it: But what were the names of your security which you did then give me.  
For names (replies he) why I gave you none, for I conceived it should not need: Or if it do, you shall have lands and that for seat and site, value, and Virgin title, shall bear and balance your mortgage down to the centre.  
Now you come to me (says the Scrivener) go you to the Antwerp, but only to prepare me a particular of this land, and I will be with you presently.  
They go before the particular is made ready. The wine is burnt, the Scrivener with much pain has passed through his prayers, and recovers the Tavern door, by that time he was come to (Amen.) He returns to his old compliment, pockets the Particular which they deliver him, and puts all unkindness into this cup; He drinks freely, and promises nobly: So that now there was no doubt made but we might be at Northampton most opportunely. And so much for that meeting.  
After dinner they came both again to the shop; where they found my Scrivener wrapped warm in his gown about him, fast asleep (good man.) For if ever he were good, he was then good: Or (at least) I am sure he was then and there at the very best of Scrivener's goodness; the height of their holiness, and the perfection of their punctuality.  
They must by no means trouble him before he be fully recovered and enabled for a second meeting at the Mermaid after Exchange time. They attend the while: the clouds of Claret shortly spend themselves: he wakens, they salute him.  
At length with much a do he calls them to remembrance, and asks them for their particular: they show the error in his pocket, and so he promises their dispatch the next morning without any fail, and they are gone to be speak furniture for Cropeare in the mean time. At the appointed hour my Attorney comes to know if the writings were ready to seal, and the money proportioned into several hundreds, in so many several bags or no.  
The Scrivener replies, that it should be forth with prepared accordingly, so as they should bring good City security with them, but only to undertake for the property and transparancy of the title of the Lands so tendered, and that was all should need for the matter, procuration being over provided for, and writing taken to estimation according to the repute of the place where it was to be written, and that was all that was now remaining to be considered of on the Gentleman's behalf. This new task required more time in possessing and persuading some Citizens his Countrymen, who knew him and his Lands so well, that it was disputable, whether was more dear and desired unto them.  
They join with him in the security, and become immediately bound with him by bond for the payment of the money at a certain day to come, and to the great amazement of the Scrivener, thank him for this counsel in advising and directing them to the cautionary cause-way of security both latterally & collaterally, by direct and obliqne lines which he most methamatically had imagined & contrived in his head, as well for his own commodity as for their indemnity, without demanding of any other assurance as yet, and so my Gentleman is dispatched without further tie upon Lands or person hitherto, saving what is mentally reserved upon the growth of this sum; by these his loving friends and countrymen.  
Friendship for country's sake I do commend  
But not to sell my country for a friend.   

The Citizen, a Redemptionary Freeman, his Method.  
THe last, but not the least of these, is our City borrower, a hopeful youngman (though I say it:)  
A man of wisdom, for he is the best  
That ere was of our Ward-moot inquest:  
Of sweet behaviour, for this very year,  
He hath discharged the place of Scavenger.  
At an arbitrement he is a Cutter,  
As ere concluded in a Tavern supper.  
If Females for their linen do contend,  
He takes up all, and makes a friendly end.  
And if our Vestry brethren do descent,  
he makes the elder head most eminent  
Grow up thou man of justice, and of hope,  
My pen gives thee thy due, give thou it scope.  
Now this youth, not altogether free by Patrimony, but partly by Matrization, is wonderful cautious of being a borrower upon Record, or in the eye of the World. He will not have his name tendered unto a Scrivener by any means, while he is yet but easily declining upon the stream of ready moneys, and not in stock, like the water which though it fall and sink by the sides, yet runs up in the midst with a manifest current long after.  
He now studies how to take up without expression to be a principal for himself, or to be too promptly drawn into security for others. He finds out for property for this purpose a young heir, who for a third share of the sum, was content to bear the only name and blame of Borrower, and to yield to the ensafing of my Citizen, by such Counter-bonds, sales, and assignments, as by the Scrivener and himself, could be devised to uphold the Reputation of a wonderful wary man.  
Can you now call this man a Borrower for doing his friend a courtesy? Or is this man in a declension, when it appears by the book, that he is in the way of purchasing? No such matter, this cries up his credit: And howsoever these moneys be repaid, yet he is sure of the Land, which before any insolvency shall appear on his party, he does intent to convey over in trust secretly, to the uses of his livelihood for the time of restraint to come, and like one that prepares his tomb while he is yet living, he resolves what lodging to take up on the Masters-side, when his credit shall departed this Mortal life.  
Besides, he had another way of borrowing, he finds out an old Usurer of the same Parish, Father to diverse daughters, who catcht at Espousal preferment, only by their Father's countenance, and their concise carriage.  
The one of these he singles out from the Herd, and pretends most pure and unfeigned love unto her: He visits her in his gown at Midsummer, where at the old man conceives great joy and comfort, glories in his gravity, and delights in his decency. He on the other side perceives the powle-cat in the pursenet, makes present use of it. He shows him the conveyance which the Heir made the other day unto him of all the houses in Conny-hoope-lane a one side; and desires to be furnished by him with so much as might bring the other side into his property likewise: for that it was now offered unto him upon reasonable conditions, so should he reduce all (as it were) into a circle, and his daughter should hold that for her jointure and have the Evidence in her own custody.  
The old man liked this passing well, and for fear lest the bargain should be snatched out of his hand, he takes him into his closet, tells out the Money, and sends him away instantly.  
The old man turns him about, and (pointing at her sweet heart) bespeaks his daughter thus:  
There goes he that labours for you most industerously, studious your good right carefully, I pray God make you thankful for him accordingly: For you shall have an Husband (be it not vainly spoken) that for thrift and Husbandry may be the very browch of of all the City.  
In stead of going forthwith unto his Chapman, for the housing and candle rents, he is housed presently at a widows in the way, where he spends his time till candlelight.  
Here he likewise protests and professes love by wholesale; he shows her the moneys, and tells her what a bargain he could now have, if she would join stock with him in such a commodity come lately into the Downs with the last East-Indian ships. It might please God that this might be a happy occasion of uniting their persons as well as their parcels together.  
The Widow was hereupon taken with such a Sorpego in her wrists, that her fingers ends itched to be testing out of her part, and to take issue upon his promise of the union, which she performed with much dexterity.  
Then he puts altogether, and assures her that he will be gone the next tide to Gravesend,  
When he comes home, he dispatches letters speedily to the old usurer, certifying him of his good progression in Conyhoope-lane, and desiring his patience for certain days, which the contriving of his assurance by good and sufficient counsel would take up.  
The time pretended for the Downs, and to draw down a good estate for his young Mistress, is upon better consideration bestowed at Rumford, where whosoever had seen him in the lift of his liberality▪ would little think him to be so little a thing as might be contained within the compass of a Countinghouse, or be confined within the prospection of a false light.  
Expect anon the sequel of his story.  
Let Rumford now be famous for John Dory.    

Their several cause of insolvency followeth.  
THe Courtier's cause is in his conscience: For he neither can, nor cares to pay.  
The Inns of Court man's cause is in his Coercence, for he would if he could pay.  
The Country Gentleman's cause is in his confidence, for he trusts to his Country men of the City, and had rather they than he should pay.  
But the Citizen's cause is in his complacence.  
It pleaseth him so to pay, and he sees no reason why he should go beyond the rule of deformity.  
He finds good grand Jury Precedents of five shillings in the pound, and it is fair too and sufficient solder for the first flaw (by my faith.)  
Some would and if they could:  
Some can, and yet they care not:  
The least pay what they should:  
The most spend all and spare not.   

The sundry ways and weapons with which they fence with their Creditors, challenge the next place.  
THe longest weapons with which my Courtier keeps his creditor farthest off, are the winter's journeys, and the summer's progress.  
And when he is nearer hand, he doth keep them at staff's length, by challenging of a privacy for indisposition of body, conference with great and honourable personages, or employment in the States wonderful weighty affairs, when (God wots) the indisposition is for want of clean linen.  
The conference is with his boy, how to pay the Laundress which detains it.  
And his employment is in and about the taking of a pipe of Tobacco.  
The privy watergate, and the garden outlet do well.  
And when he finds no remedy, but that his Creditor will close and come into him within his weapon's length, than he swears that he was even now about to send for him, had he not prevented him.  
He tells him in great secrecy how he is in possibility to pass a suit of great worth, only he wants some money to scatter in fees by the way: For it is to be understood, that with great Officers the Chamber men wear good clothes, & the doorkeeper has a precious faculty: he shall only supply with so much as will even the old sum, and pay himself, tot, talia, and tantaa, at his own pleasure, yea he shall be a Patentee himself, for argument of honest purpose and honourable dealing.  
What shift so ere we make, he needs must do it.  
For profit and preferment prick him to it.  

The Inns of Courts man's weapons  
HIs first weapon is a wel-pened Letter, excusing his delay by incompetency of exhibition.  
Or by the necessity of attending the revolution of their tenants six months' day of payment, according to the custom of the country.  
But especially by occasion of his father's great and dangerous sickness (though there were no such matter) for that he knew was the only viscouse matter to belime his Creditor that could be devised or applied.  
The next weapon, when the former way is stolen of assiduity, is his good sword, a watchful eye and a ready hand.  
The last is the deviation and avoiding of the most frequented passages and streets, and to hold compass at the half point, through the Let-goes of Allies, Taverns, with backe-doores, or by water, as stands wit most accommodation.  
His fencing in the night I most commend,  
When he may safely drab, and drink, and spend.   

The Country Gentleman his weapons.  
THis youth (alas) hath neither occasion at the first to practise his defence, or knows the use of the weapon, nor will he be brought to it of a long time; when payment is prefixed to be made to him the said Solomon set in silver street London, he in his better wisdom is betting of all his white money at the Cockpit in Coventry.  
And when all comes to all, when farther occasion hath drawn him into a farther respectuality with his undertakers in London; so that he must either stand upon his guard; or lose the Bleane, with all meadows, pastures, feedings, woods, underwoods', and other the appurtenances worth ten times the money borrowed.  
Then, O then, he looks out his manly munition.  
The ancient sleeping entail.  
The old mother jointure.  
The endowment of his wife, ad ostium Ecclesiae.  
All these he brings to his Cutler of Chancery-lane, and bestows so much upon the oil of equity, and will scour them up cleanly, and make them fit weapons of defence against all the cossaques of the City.  
Petitions be the postures of thy guard,  
And may thy motions be like Canons heard;  
Set field, or skirmish, Chamber, or the Bars,  
'tis like to prove a very lingering war.   

The City borrower his fence.  
HE handles his weapon with the best grace of them all, his Creditor dares scarce come within his reach, but only ask how he does as he goes by. And if he do presume to leave word with the apprentice boy, that he would have him tell his master that he was here to speak with him about the other business, it is a very bold adventure, and a saucy presumption taken very censoriously by my young master, at his coming home, especially if he have been at the Renterwardens feast, the City's occasion the Companies convention, & the parochical provision: these be the things that challenge propriety and priority in a comely Citizen, before all other respects whatsoever. He will not discontent the first, nor disappoint the second, nor disfurnish the last for observance of whomsoever.  
For the money taken up of the Scrivener, the interest only needs to be paid in as yet: and the Scrivener (to stop his mouth) he shall have the employment and benefit to eject the Tenants of Cony-hoop-lane, and withal he will have the Scrivener sue the bond both against the heir and himself, upon which he will appear to suffer judgements against both right willingly. (Marry) he shall take execution against the heir only.  
For the old Usurer's money, he found that the assurance could not be perfected till the next Michalmas term, for it required the ceremony of the bar, and before he would debar his wife of any ceremony belonging to her, he would be reputed the unperfectest member that ever ministered in the City's mysteries.  
And for the Widow's money bestowed in the Downs, he found the commodity not so vendible here as beyond the seas, therefore he thought it best to send it into Holland, where it attends the next market, and would not so much as suffer it to touch at our cost.  
This cannot cure but lengthen thy disease,  
It may defer the pain, but not release.   

Their noted places of refuge and retirement follows.  

Ram-Alley.  
I Will not so much as look in to the Court, or any the standing houses; the Housekeepers lodging, nor the Gardiner's receipt, neither the Mews. Nor pry into the menial precincts of any of the Inns of Court, farther than they stand for refuge and relief of the neighbouring privileges about them.  
The first and chiefest of all which, for advantage of the ground, for Fortifications, for water-works, posterns and passages, supplies, and provision by Land or otherwise, is that so fare famed, & so fitly named Ram-alley, or the Ramykins, according unto the Dutch translation.  
In it is a garrison of old soldiers, every one of the which is able to lead a whole arwy of younger debtors.  
They call their Muster-role in the round Church: they drill them in the Garden, and they make their set battles under the trees in the new walks, which piece of ground was listed in, and levelled for the same purpose.  
For the works within Ram-Ally, there be 2 most notable: the one is raised & contrived in the form of a Ram, which Rams were used in the old jewish Discipline, as appears by the History itself more at large.  
This work is of a reasonable strength, having a watchtower in the similitude of a Cobbler's shop, adjoining, from whence all the forces about are called together upon the least approach of the enemy.  
But the other is a fort most impregnable, where the enemy dares not so much as come within shot, to take the least view of it.  
There is none but this only one so invincible, far and near: and therefore our latter writers have styled it the Phoenix. There be other pretty contrived platforms in the fashion of the Cookes-shops two or three, where if a Setter or Spy do but peep in at them, they will make him pay for the Roast before he depart (I'll warrant him.)  
To the Rammykins do belong a very great fleet, consisting of many sail well maned, and these are only for the service by water.  
This place according to the Geographical map, and the report of our modern Authors, cannot possible be so besieged, but that they within may go in and out at their pleasure without impeachment.  
At the Middle-temple gate they issue in spite of the Devil.  
At the Inner temple gate they fear no colours in the Rainbow.  
And at Ram-Alley Postern, in case they cannot fetch Fetter-lane, but discover ambushment, they need only draw their bodies within guard of pike, turn faces about, and retreat through the Mitre.  
Or admit they stand for Fleetstreet, & be so intercepted, that they can neither recover the Mitre, nor Ram-Alley, it is no more but only to mend their march, fall downward as if they gave way, suddenly discharge their right hand file, and fall easily into Sergeants Inn, where by ancient treaty had between these two houses, it was agreed that the parties in such distress might, paying the welsh Gentle man porters Fee; have convoy and conveyance through the Garden into the temple without re-hazzard of his person.  
Likewise when they would Forage, they are no sooner out of the Middle-temple-gate, but there be three several places of defence to friend them: (viz.) The Bell Inn: the Bargate, and Shire lane. And the passage through the King's bench office is a most excellent safe way for close contriving and retriving.  
The Gardener's war fage as the tide may serve, will serve the turn too.  
But the new door by the Bochards, though it be none of the sweetest way, yet it is the safest of all the rest, for at the sight of the pomp the setter starts back, and will by no means pursue him any further.   

Fulwoods' Rents.  
THe next place of refuge is is commonly called Fulwoods' Rents, which lies so in the main and plain continent, that it requires the stricter watch, and stronger court of guard to be kept about it.  
Besides, the General of the enemy hath planted very near it, and lately cast up a mount in the fashion of a Shreive's Office just in the face of them. In Fulwoods' Fort, otherwise yekleeped Skink-skonce, besides Robin-hood & his outlaws, like a regiment of Tailors, the one half with red beards, and the other having no beards at all.  
Captain Swan was a very tall man,  
So was not Francis Drake a●;  
When Srypp does swear in single Beer,  
The Bailiffs use to quake a.  
At the upper end of these rents and at the very portal of Purpoole-palace westward, was lately begun a most excellent piece of work, which had it not been interrupted by those that played upon them from above, (questionless) it had been the very strongest and surest hold that ever was raised within the continent for this purpose.  
The back gate into Gray Inn lane, with the benefit of the little Alley, ex opposito, is of good use, but not at all times.  
The passages through certain Inns on the field-side, are attempted with some hazard by reason of the straggling troops of the enemy who lie pardue in every Alehouse thereabouts.  
The only safe way of Sally, is that through the walks, from whence the red Lion in Graies-Inne-lane receives them with good quartering, and passes them through the back way inthe main land: And so much for Skinke-Skonce.   

Milford Lane.  
THe next is Milford lane, to which certain Captains and their companies being long since eashired, betook themselves, and liking the situation of it did there erect diverse diverse works, both to the landside and the water for their ensaving.  
As they came in by conquest, so they hold it by the sword; and howsoever their title hath been much disputed heretofore, yet they have now commuted the matter, proud plantation, pretended the first discovery: and withal have reduced it, to a most absolute Hance and free town of itself without dependency.  
The chief benefit they have for securing of their persons is that of the water, for to the land there is little safety, when you are once without their works, & therefore I will abide here no longer, but hold my course onward to the Savoy.   

The Savoy.  
IF the Savoy should not be sufficiently defended every way and in every respect, it were a great shame to the discipline of the place, and the troops that are there billeted, the rather for they consist for the most part of Engyners and Projectors: and in memory of them have builded there certain tenements which shall bear the name of Projector-Ally for ever.   

Duke Humphrey.  
FRom hence you must give me leave to pass by boat to Duke Humfries, which was a very strong fortress in former times, when the Megazine of munition, viz. the treasury of To bacco-pipes was there established.  
But the Megazine is removed, and the place much weakened, their Commanders dispersed about Budgerow, and scattered in Warwicke-lane, where they are the only upholders of the threepenny ordinary (a strange alteration)  
The poor remainder of this Garrison, unless they be speedily relieved by them of the College, to reinforce the daily assaults of the enemy, must of necessity yield up all with much dishonour.  
I can stay no longer here with good name and fame, and therefore I return to my watermen attending all this while, who is to set me over to Southwark, and land me at an excellent hold indeed, commonly called Montague-close, sometimes the Seine or the Monastery of Saint Saviour's near the bridge.   

Montague-close.  
AND though the Garrision here consist not of so many old Soldiers, yet their number is no whit inferior to that of Ram-Ally, and some of them serve on both sides, and are in both rolls ever attending where the service most requireth, and the most of them are men of much activity.  
The eldest company within it, are and have been directly dyer's in grain, descended from from the race of the old blue Britons.  
In Lent when other Garrisons are most thin and worst victualled, these do most exceed in both, for then whole troops of Butchers from the Cantons adjoining, offer themselves like so many Swissers unto them: and convey by land and water to that place, such abundance of cattle fetched firm the Kentish Kerns, and the Sorry Yonkry about them, as makes themselves plump and paliable for any enterprise of all the year after, and also draws very great store of Wascoterians & handsome Basketerians unto them from all parts of the City and suburbs, & all for mere carnality   

Ely Rents,  
THe last is that everlasting liberty of Ely Rents in Holborn, which is so advantageously mounted, that it commands all the level beneath it. It is a work of small receipt for it may be made good with— good, with three Brokers, two Cobblers, a Baker, and a Tapster, against all invasions and invaders whatsoever.  
I cite not that privilege of S. Mertins le grand, with many other adjoining, which have proper officers for return of writs within themselves; because though they be not under command of the City, yet they admit no Sanctuary or refuge to the borrower, unto whom the fire and the frying-pan are both alike.  
These  Garrisons, Forts, and Fortresses, stand still in such state as is before expressed.  
But I cannot forget the present state of others upon which the enemy hath entered, either by conquest or composition: Namely,   

Cold Harbour.  
THat of Cold Harbour, where was and excellent Blockhouse, to correspond with that of the close on the other side. Both which together cleared the passage of the river between them, so that no water Bay life durst come within their reachat point blank.  
And this (as they writ) was taken in by the sword in time of their security.   

The Friars.  
THe Friars, Augustine and Cruciate, Black, White, and Grace great and less, and those of the Trinity. The Spittle and Saint Graces, had all their Cools pulled o'er their heads, and so were all for the most part led into the City captive, where they remain to this day.  
'Tis said that they were most lost by this means, that they suffered those of the freedom not only to dwell among them, but likewise to increase & multiply, to plant and supplant, the Nobility and the Gentry which upheld their liberties; and in the end when they got and engrossed all the power of office, trust and authority, into their hands; they set open the gates and suffered the Military men of the Mace to enter and surprise all.  
The Commanders of the City were only content upon treaty to article and agree with those of the Black Friars; that notwithstanding they so entered by conquest, yet the old companions, especially the English Feather-makers, the Dutch Jewellers, the Scotch Tailors, and the French Shoemakers, with some foreign forces, should have and enjoy their ancient privileges, without molestation or interruption of any kind.   

Great Saint Bartholomew's  
BUt the greatest blow that ever was given to the borrower, was the taking of Great S. Bartholomew's, upon whose platform a whole Army of Borrowers and Bookmen might have been mustered and drawn out in length, or into what form or figure it had pleased them to cast themselves.  
What works, yea what variety of art and workmanship was within it?  
What an excellent half Moon was there cast up without it for defence, towards Aldersgate-street?  
What Sconces in the fashion of tobacco-shops and tap-houses, in all parts of it. What art was in the Silke-weavers there, who in twisting of their silk, made it serve like so many Optic lines to convey & receive intelligence too and fro in an instant, & laugh to scorn asinissimum illum nuntium inanimatum.  
But alas, these are demolished, the old soldiers discharged, & all delivered and yielded up, upon composition and consent of the Commander.  
But the last packet we receive news, that there are daily assaults made upon S. john of jerusalem. It is said likewise that they are in a sore Mutiny within themselves; which if it be so, the band of Borrowers there billeted, will be shortly dis-banded and dismissed utterly.    

The jubilees and days of privilege follow.  
THe unparaleld Parliament is the first, and of all others the best: the very tunc temporis wherein jupiter hath the full effects of his influence, when he is in his Masculine House, and in a full aspect (hor a optima.)  
The next is a time of a raging pestilence: for if the Sergeants do not then fear the plague of God hanging over their heads, I know not what the Devil will fear them.  
The next is the time wherein my Lord Mayor takes his oath: For then the Sergeants and their Yeomen are all at Westminster (hor a hona.)  
The next is that wherein the Sheriffs are sworn: For in the forenoon the Mace-men attend their Masters. At noon they have enough to do to wait upon M. Maior of Oxford's cups: & in the afternoon, it is as much as they can do to get home.  
Other days of privilege are all such wherein they are all generally tied for to attend their Sheriffs to Paul's, as that of Christmas day, All-saints day, Candlemas day, the Coronation day, the Powder-plot, and the 5. of August, (hor ae mediocres,) Only take heed how you touch at any Tavern near unto Paul's after the Sheriffs are once set, & until they be ready to departed, for fear of Freebooters.  
I cannot say what hope there is in the privilege of the Sabbath, but there is great presumption upon the benefit of those times, wherein the Sergeants we are their best apparel, for I have observed that they will make bold with their zeal, when they place much matter of conscience in their .  
The days of their Spittle-sermons are special good ones: for their Masters and Mistresses being then in Conjunction, it requires that they should be double diligent the while.  
The days wherein the great Lords come down to ociate, or negotiate, cate, or treat with their Masters, are very good.  
Whitsunday at the New-Church-yard does well, but I am afraid that they will not be altogether so mad, as to be all comprised within the perambulation bulation of Bedlam, where I will leave them at this time: & proceed unto    

The marks of a conscious cautious Debtor, with the discipline of the Mace.  
These be the marks.  

1 Uncertainty of meeting.  
2 Obscurity of walking.  
3 Uariety of lodging.  
4 Inconstancy of abiding.   
The particular marks follow.  
At the lanes end he ever looks behind him. And after he is once turned out of sight, he mends his pace in an extraordinary degree of Foot-man-ship, till he have gained some ground ●f the followers. And then he makes another stand to take notice whether any of them have arrived thither with more than ordinary speed, or precipitate himself at the coming about the lanes end, which is the certain sign of a Setter or a Sergeant. He never keeps the proponticke passage. He hath a catalogue of of all Taverns with back doors, especially to the water's side. Difference of attire (if he have it) stands him in great stead. He envies the increase of the Moon more than he pities the decrease of his own fortunes. He knows there's little got by running, and less by rising at the Sergeants hands. Therefore when he hath business to do on the next day, he commonly removes himself o'er night, to the end he may have a safe morning's flight. His meetings (when he does say and hold) are in places where he may stand as much upon his reputation as his Tailor may upon his credit. With the Italian he does much mislike the overhasty manner of peace used by our nation in the City, (a place of civility, and that in the following of their ordinary affairs. He is better at retriving then at contriving. He is a great enemy to idleness, for he loves not to see one leaning at a stall, or looking about him, where he claims no property, nor owes any service, He learned of his Grandmother to hate whistling after candlelight above all things. He prays not in common form, but that the Commons may meet in form (as aforesaid.) And no sin sticks so impassively in his conscience, or disperses itself through is whole heart, as that he ever paid any thing to his Creditors in part.  

The Discipline now offers itself, and the Mace is lifted up, in Terrorem populi  
WIthin London there are two regiments of Mace-men. The one is encamped in the Poultry: The other in Woodstreet: The great number of them attend their colours where they are ever ready to sally upon the Alarm or signal given. Other of them guard their Colonels person by turns.  
And the rest are apppointed and exposed (as followeth.) So many of the best able and most trusty in their cavalry, as their service requires, especially in term time, are planted at Chancery-lane end, to make good that place, and to cut off such as issue out of the works on the other side, or come down from other parts to put themselves under the protection of them.  
Of these Chancery-lane end men, if the design do deserve it, some one or two are drawn out of them, to defeat the passage between the middle Temple and the Bell, or the Bargate, but this is upon especial occasion, and therefore seldom attempted, but when they have intelligence of some extraordinary booty, or good pillage coming that way.  
Others of them are quartered in Smithfield, where every monday, wednesday & friday, they stand charged with cock up, ready to give fire at every poor Butcher in the graziers quarrel, and these are of their Infantry.  
Others are on every market day commanded for Leadenhal, where they serve one day under the Tanner, against the Shoemaker, another day under the Butcher against the Tanner, and sometimes the Scrivener, against both. Others are apppointed to other several markets, where rather than they will want entertainment, they will bear arms against the very butter-wives (enough to make their hearts to melt with the very thought on't) the eldest sort of them, such as hold charge, rather for their advice then their ability, are laid at the Exchange, where though the service be daily, and the Nation against whom they serve are all people of great stomach, meeting ever at dinner and supper times only, yet the danger is but small in regard they have the Country round about to friend.  
The only Despervieos among them are severally appointed to the several gates; where they scour and keep clear the passage to the Bars, being the utmost extent of their works. They are all right perfect at their Postures: As,  
Bear your Musket under your left arm, id est, Be sure to touch the prisoner on the sword side. Pull out your succourer, id est, Draw your warrant. Advance your Pike, id est, Exalt your Mace. cock your Match, id est, Enter your Action.  
And so for every posture, punctually and particularly in his order. Then for Stratagems of war, they ride the ancient discipline, quite dagger out of sheath  
The best that Roman Histories afford us, is of that one noble resolution, who to gain belief and credit of the enemy, mangled himself, running out of the gates into their Camp to complain of his own misery and his Country's tyranny, with offer of giving them up into the enemy's hand, only for actuation of his own revenge.  
But give me the plot that conquers at fare less price.  
A Porter's Frock (a Project of excellent carriage.)  
A Lawyer's gown, (Latet quod non patet.)  
A Scrivener's Pen and Inkhorn (a design of deeper reach than you are ware on.)  
These shall make his passage, sine sanguine & sudore.  
This is your only Projector indeed, whose first ancestor was begot between the man i'th' Moon, and Tom Lancaster's Laundress, upon a fair faggot pile, from whom are descended the only Choristers of our counter-quire.  
It would do you good to hear the whole pack of these together, they are so excellent for scent and cry.  
But the best mouthed among them in truth, and for my money, the only mouth is without Bishopsgate.  
And the best scented at the upper end of red-crosse street, just at the entrance into Golding-lane, into whose sweet bosom I commit them all, and there leave them.  
It may be expected that I should say somewhat of the Discipline of the Bailiffs, but especially of those of the Verge and the Clinkonians.  
But some of them have no Discipline or order at all, and the rest very little.  
The poor Pichard cannot out pilfer them in the plain pathway of their practice, they hold no good quartering with any man, but are more desirous of prey then of lawful conquest.  
The better sort of them go in boots without spurs, and they for the most part are bought in Turning-stile lane in Holborn: the Author holds them not worthy his pen, or to be ranked with the men of the mace before mentioned, and therefore by his good will he will have nothing to do with them at any hand.    

The Creditors part.  
FOr the Debtors part, I am persuaded that our Author hath performed it reasonable well.  
But for the other of the Creditor (to say the truth) he hath practised that part very little hitherto, and therefore is very diffident of his ability therein.  
Yet howe'er, he'll stand upon his credit,  
And justify his word, because he said it.  

For the charitable extent of the Creditors courtesy.  
VErily this man of Credence doth observe these principles in all his proceeding of this nature.  
First, that he may lend or trust upon such conditions as may tend to the benefit of the Borrower or Debtor chief.  
Then, that his own gain may be moderate.  
Then, that there may be Record thereof kept for testimony of his sincere intention, in two or three several books at the least.  
And lastly, he doth not only lend or trust, but farther giveth it a blessing, that it may yield much increase to the borrower and debtor.   

The reasons hereof are all as pregnant as pious.  
1 For it is better for him to build than to pull down.  
2 He will not grind the forehead of his poor brother.  
3 His book cannot err, for it admits no tradition, but the pure and uncorrupted text itself, as it was delivered in the primitive register, while Thomas his foreman was yet living, and did bear record as a faithful witness of these proceed.  
And though the blessing be bestowed upon a dead commodity, yet I hope it argues no superstition in him that giveth it.  
And all this is apparently good till we come to   

The mystery of Multiplication.  
TRadition, it is not tolerable but an abomination, and yet our Creditor holds that Addition in the secret of shop-book may be very well allowable.  
For so long as he doth only make up in credits what he hath lost in stock, or what is decayed in necessary expenses, and not riotously or vainly, seeing the wicked are but usurpers of the riches of this world, it is lawful for him with an equal hand to be carried among his Debtors by way of apportionment, to rate and assess them at his discretion.  
He will take no interest, nor wrong his conscience for any good, his shop-book hath hitherto held good name and fame. Heresies may creep into the Church daily, but never into his shop-book in any wife: there is nothing there but what hath been delivered, and his servants (especially one amongst the rest) will as boldly as any Brewer's desperate Clerk maintain and justify it: shall he not maintain his master's mystery, when they are both to be saved by the same faith? Why, he shall put the debtor in mind of the delivery of every parcel, with all the circumstances to it, for he remembers it as perfectly, as if it had been done but yesterday. Now the Debtor begins to quarrel the Shop-book, my Creditor is most justly incensed: And therefore now in the next place,  
The Crow looks to eat the Oyster alive, but is caught in the attempt, and the hand in the Shop-book breeds the winde-collique in the warehouse, which shaked the Fabric and foundation of all his factory as followeth:  
Suppose the tide is now coming in, and the poor Oyster gapes for some refection in the moisture of it. The Birds of prey (scilicet) the shopkeeper the Crow, and the Usurer the Cormorant: these hover about it, each of them hoping to pull it out of the little tenement where it dwells, and to devour it alive. Hereupon the Cormorant and the Crow contend for the prize: The Crow claims it as a Stray lost, and left without the bounds of any watery coverture on the dry land at a low ebb, The Cormorant challenges it nevertheless, as being still within his high watermarke; Then the Crow alleges that it is so wasted (wanting water) that it is become no better than Carrion, and therefore it does properly belong unto him. The Cormorant denies that, and assures him that the Oyster is yet alive, and therefore no carrion. But the Crow had given so much credit formerly, that he would now scarce believe his own eyes (especially in his wife's case) he would by no means believe this to be true, and therefore in hope to cousin the Cormorant, he desires that he may only feel with his bill whether it were so or no: Leave is given by the Cormorant, who thought it was enough for the Crow to smell upon the prey, intending that never any more should come to his share: Then the Crow who knew how to tickle a Trout at his pleasure, did without assistance of Constable or advice of Counsel, make a most violent entry upon the Oyster, which presently claps to his door, shuts the Crow within, and caught him so fast by his bill of entry, that all Colchester and the customhouse can testify to this day, with what uncustomed and uncourteous entertainment he was there received.  
Well might the Crow cry and call for his companion the Cormorant to redeem him from captivity, but all was in vain. The doors were shut up, he could not so much as belch at the keyhole, or let out the wind which troubled the warehouse by any means forward or backward, the very foundation of the shop and shopbord were shaken with the violence thereof.  
Being in this extremity, and so taken with the wind, that nothing applied inwardly could possibly help him, he calls for the shop-book, and gins to conjure the colic with such terrible charms and incantations, as the like were never devised nor put into any pentacle: Then he raised the great Prince, In primis, out of his Eastern Empery, with a legion of Items attending him.  
These two he sets to task, and enjoins them to distinguish his Debtors in Spero, from those in Despero, and to deal more plainly with him herein, than Widow's use to do by their Husband's estates in the Court of Orphans, and elsewhere: They perform his design instantly, and the greater number appeared to be perdues directly desperate and debilitate, amongst the which my cousin Courtier and my Inns of Court-men were of the number.  
The Courtier's suit did long languish and was palliated and upheld with letters commendatory, it complained much of the disease called the reference, it was a little lightened by a Cordial certificate laterly, yet in the end no means nor medicine could serve the turn, but of a stopping and obstruction at the great seal it died.  
The Inns of Court man was neither heir nor aged sufficiently, for the enabling of any such act as he had undertaken publicly by deed, or privately in the shop-book. The Scriver, the City counsel, himself, and all were fatally infatuated, betrayed with a beard, and fooled with formality.  
The wind rises more and more, the storm increaseth, strange stitches on every side of the shop, wonderful weakness in the warehouse, and convulsions in the Counter-boord and box, complain and cry out upon the Colic, at whose mercy we leave him, expecting the eruption thereof very speedily.    

The Signs forerunning the wonderful Crack.  
THe certain Signs in a Citizen are these:  
He strives to be called into such office, especially as whereby he may have the stock of the Parish or Company in his custody.  
He gives ground in matter of payment, the longer he deals, the more he leaves in the remainder upon every payment.  
He leaves the plain path of his profession, and places more faith in a Project, then in all the probabilities of his own Trading: and when a Citizen turns Projector, he has the very tokens of the wonderful Crack upon him.  
His Country house is too little for him, and it wants a gatehouse for his Wife and Coach to come in at, and therefore there must be laid out in building thrice as much as the Fee-simple of all when it is finished will afford.  
He takes up at interest to make good the building: all his good debts he sets over to the immediate accountant in trust, and with an intention to prevent his Creditors.  
All his purchases are either in the name of his son, or some trusty Kinsman of his wives.  
The nearer the Crack, the faster he lays about him, to take up in any kind, and upon any conditions, than he conveys all things of value out of his house.  
And at last he gives fire with a report of his great losses at or beyond the seas, where he (God wots) had never any factory or dealing in all his life time.  
Then he sends his Wife to her Mothers, where she must live a while, that she may not be troubled with the noise and clamour of the Creditor.  
He betakes himself to his Chamber, keeps the shop windows shut, and provides a Catalogue of all his desperate credits only to deliver to his Creditors, when they shall come to treat upon the subject of satisfaction.  
The news reaches to the Exchange by noon, where they that have given credit to him, look so prettily and pitifully one upon another, as you might know and challenge them by their faces.  
Then they gather together, and confer their notes, and cast up the whole sum what all their credits may come unto, only some of the more pragmatical sort, who fear to publish their losses lest their own estates should come likewise in question, do dissemble the matter, and speak with the least. Others that suspect, it may be their own case very shortly, pity the man's misfortune, blame the hardness of the times, deadness of trade, and scarcity of coin, recounting what he is out for foreign plantations abroad, and other contributions at home, and with what charge he hath gone through so many offices in so short time, whereat every man relents and lets slack his more strict purposes, agreeing all to go to his house to confer with him after dinner.  

And so dismiss we them till then.  
IT may be you look I should have spoken somewhat of the Crack of my City-gallant, but it is improper to place him amongst Creditors that has been bred a borrower from his Cradle, and that according to the custom of the City: let it only suffice, that though he had not his country house, yet he had his country Hostess, and though he dealt not in Court Projection, yet he kept a vile coil for court Protection.  
His Hostess she paid the old Widows and his young Mistress their debts in the same coin that he tendered to them.  
And at last when his insolvency appeared upon every post, she preferred any justice of peace his Clerk thereabouts to her respectuality before him, so that there was neither abiding at Rumford, nor return to London, but he must of necessity make a voyage, be it but to Britlesey, where he lies close under a borrowed name, which was the last commodity that ever he took up, till his friends shall have rectified his credit, and restored him to the estate from which he was so lately collapsed and fallen.   

The recovery of the old man, with the common comfort which it did beget, hold the next place.  
AFter dinner all the Creditors met again on the Exchange, where they hold full three hours' conference, during which time not any one of them did believe one word which another spoke unto him, for they were too wise and learned in the use and exercise of conformity, to speak the simple truth, because they were to deal in a matter mixed and compounded of many ingredient credits commedled and put together.  
From hence they go to the house of their Debtor, in number as many as a whole college of Physicians to inquire for their Patient: they are forthwith brought up unto him into his Chamber, where they found him in an old suit only fit for garbling or eating of greenfish, with as many nightcaps upon his head, as there be cups in a nest of Court dishes, and the old gown which was always wont to lie at the Hall for ordinary days: in stead of plate there were only two full Urinals standing upon the Court-cubbord, by which they might discern the great disability and weakness, which the wind-colic had wrought within him.  
And in stead of accounts, bonds and bills, and other evidences, there lay only open before him, the foresaid Catalogue consisting of desperate debts and debtors (as aforesaid)  
They salute him as if they did in a manner partly remember him, and then all together, as well the man of ten, as he of two and twenty hundred in credits, without difference, put forward for the first delivery of his mind unto him.  
This disorder was much blamed by the graver sort, and upon better advice, select men were drawn out of them to compound, for so many as would voluntarily conform themselves, which was to be done according to the Catalogue, and as the ability would bear it.  
In the mean time a letter of licence is sealed for his liberty, to call in and recover what was due unto himself.  
This Letter of licence begat a commission of conformity, and then to work they go full roundly: some of the chief who had taken other and better conditions of satisfaction of him in private, than the rest, shown much forwardness in the public way of composition, and in the end did so strengthen their party, that they prevailed against the other.  
The whole debt was cried down to six and eight pence in the pound, the windows were opened, the servants in the shop fling up their caps, the Curse was removed from their house, their Master was a recovered man, and none but a bankrupt would say to the contrary.  
Their Mistress was sent for home with all the speed that might be, and this night all her kindred and their master's friends were to solemnize this happy recovery of the decayed man, where they meant to drink to the health of six and eight pence, from six in the evening till eight next morning.   

The common Comfort only remains.  
NOw the recovered man makes a most strict scrutiny and review into his shop-books, as well for debtors solvent as insolvent; he confers his Registers all together, and where he finds a debt uncrost in any one of them, though it be discharged in the other two it makes no matter, this is it by which he must stand charged, and unless he can discharge himself by this also, he is like to perish and receive condemnation by the very letter without tradition.  
He will spare no man whom the Law puts into his hands, lest he become a partaker in his iniquity. He calls home all things which he had formerly conveyed out of doors. And sets forward his building in the country.  
He flourishes as he never did before, and will give 1000 pound with his lame daughter now, more he then offered with her at the last swan-hopping.  
he'll outbid all the town for the great and lesser forms.  
Briefly, he vows:  
To redeem the time past.  
To prevent the evil day to come.  
To run the course, and tread in the footsteps of some of the right worshipful, and in reverence of conformity to convert his old composition gown into a fair and comfortable foot-cloth.  
But three rich wives, and such another Crack,  
Will make thee scorn to cry (What do you lack?)   

By the Counsel of Ram Ally.  
Non nobis nati sumus.  
Whereas in these latter times it concerns us in civil policy, to be so much the more industrious as we are become numerous above former ages, and no endeavour can be so beneficial and honourable as the enlarging of our territory by discovery and plantation in parts habitable and agreeable with our debitory disposition, where we may disperse our Colonies with more conveniency and advantage than at this present: for which purpose we have lately employed and set forth the good ship, called (The least in sight) accompanied with that approved and well appointed Pinnace (The pay nought) the charge and command of both which, we conferred upon Sir Oliver Owemuch, who maned the same with persons best qualified in the Art of Insolvency, the greater part whereof, himself had known and tried to be men of much trust, being his own Creditors, and creatures of his own discretion, whose loving kindnesses he required in manner of employment following, viz.  
His Mercer he made Master of (The least in sight) and his Baker Boatswain.  
And because his Vintner had bestowed many a shot upon him in prosperity, he made him Master Gunner in his adversity.  
His Tobacco-man desired to be the Gunner's mate, because he would make all smoke again.  
A Purser they needed not: for besides that, they had all bad memories in calling of things passed to remembrance, they held it a foolish thing to keep accounts where there was no purpose of payment.  
His Haberdasher came somewhat with the latest, but his Laundress by the power of her Letters commendatory, preferred her husband to be Controller of the Coil, Remembrancer of the Bilbowes, and Yeoman Squabber of (The pay nought.)  
And his Tailor last of all, because he had the best stomach to the action, he was made Steward, and had charge of the victual for the voyage.  
Being thus provided on Monday the first of March, the wind blew fair from the East, when they left the Temple-staires; And the same day being Saint David's day, the air grew thick and very foggy, insomuch that the Pinnace had lost the Admiral, had it not in stead of a light in her Lantern, hung up a Leek in the main top, by the sent whereof it recovered sight of her again the next morning by break of day.  
On the second, third, and fourth day, the weather was very variable and stormy, howsoever they still spooned onward for most advantage.  
About eight of the clock on friday the fifth of May, their Pilot who had been a Spectacle-maker and a Prospectuary without Temple bar, descried a sail making towards them, which they suspected by his flag to be the water-bailiffe of London.  
Hereupon a Council was called aboard, the Captain to consider what was to be done in this imminent extremity.  
Some advised that it were fit to make to the land, if they knew where to touch without hazard.  
Others of higher resolution advised to stand the fortune of a Sea-fight, and to draw their number out of sight into the hold, whereby to encourage the enemy to a nearer approach, which opinion was generally received and allowed.  
Presently, as the occasion required, it was agreed that for the sublimation of every spark Spirit amongst them, there should be an extraordinary allowance made instantly (that was) the full proportion of one pipe of Tobacco, and a Temple-pot of six to every two of them, which when they had cheerfully passed about; the Tailor whose conscience was more tender than his stomach, would needs be resolved in two points concerning his souls health before the fight should begin. The first was, whether the cause and quarrel which they were to undertake were justifyable orno, for that he ever held Ludgate more worthy than Newgate in diverse respects: and the next was in case he should miscarry in the action, whether Limbus patrum & infantum, were not under his own shopboard or no.  
Before my Tailor could have opinion herein of their Captain's Chaplain, who had been a Vineger-man formerly, and a fellow of excellent sharp apprehension: the supposed enemy came within shot, whereupon every one of them began to apply him to his charge.  
But just as Master Gunner was ready to let fly, (not for fear I hope) they perceived no other assailants but the Churchwardens of new Brainford, who were bound for London to buy bells, not for the Church but their morris dance against the ensuing Whitson-ale. Hereupon for their better recovery, the allowance was again doubled to every one of them. And on they pass bravely till on Saturday the sixth, they discerned firm land, lying upon the Savoyans Eastward. Here the Captain drew out the one half of his forces, and with his long boat put them to land, where they found a most spacious continent fit for plantation at four degrees beyond the Temple, the climate exceeding temperate so long as you pay the Tennis-court keeper for your lodging, the accommodations most excellent, either thorough the white Hart into the Covent-Garden, and so into the Country round about; or from the great house thorough the Swan into Drury-lane, and so forth free as bird in the air: The Lacedaemonian women supply them with fish and fruit of all sorts, which they bring down in abundance from the upland countries: insomuch as there is neither fear of want of victuals, so long as they have money; Nor of security while they do put themselves under the protection of Denmark-house: Here they left the Haberdasher and certain other to winter it, and the rest returned aboard the ninth day of May, bearing their course still West & by North: On the twelfth day, Cape Virde, or Green's wharf, did show itself unto them, where they likewise put in, and foraged clean thorough it on both sides. This place (besides other goodly beasts of all sorts) is most famous for Hearts, whose horns are of the comeliest branch and spreading, as also of dimension and extension that can be; so that in memory of them, the Captain named the place Harts-horne-Ally: Then the which no place hitherto discovered, is of a more capable continent, or more rich in Minerals, Vegitatives or Victuals, or more agreeable with the constitution of our countrymen, especially if they be married. The several commodities and merchandizes whereof you shall receive more at large upon return of the Least in sight, from thence.  
In the mean time we exhort you that both with cheerful contribution, and otherwise with your advice, you do not only uphold the old ones, but also further and advance the said two new plantations so happily discovered, and so prosperously pursued hitherto, by you the Council and Adventurers of the said company, and at your only charge and expense.  
So ye that see't may wish, but never shall ye  
Perform the like adventures as Ram-Ally.   
FINIS.