those that do not know what it is to be hungry, do not know the pleasure of eating. So if you Radicals should put down the gentry, and put yourselves in their place, I give you fair notice, that you will not be a bit the happier, even if your consciences would let you. So take an honest man's word, that the devil's pay is not half as good as his promises.

CHAP. III.

Some say, Let us have a thorough Radical reform.

WELL, my masters, said Goodman, when he next met Gudgeon and Waver, have you thought well of what I have said? Will there be more for each, in the long run, when things are divided equally amongst us; or will you be really happier, if you should make yourselves rich?

Why neighbour, said Waver, I own that there is some truth in what you say. But then after all, are not things in so bad a state, that they cannot be worse, and ought they not to be mended? Is not there many a poor body, who cannot get work to support him? and are not there still more, who cannot make as much by their labour, as will keep them comfortably? Can things be worse?

What,

To be sure they can, said Goodman. because there is not as much work for labouring men as they could do, you would mend it by being idle altogether! What, because the taxes are heavy, you would mend matters by being so riotous, that more soldiers must be paid to keep the country quiet!

Why now, said Gudgeon, you have just hit upon it. Is not it for want of a new constitution that all these things happen? And would not our leaders give you such a constitution as would make you all happy?

Why, to be sure they do promise us rare things, Master Gudgeon: but now I think of it, Sam Stitch the tailer says you have made him such a bad hedge at the bottom of his garden, that it will not keep the pigs out. that he has half a mind to have it make a better himself.

He

He says too, all down, and

He is a poor fool, said Gudgeon. He knows no more about making a hedge than his own thimble; he quarrels with a good hedge, because it is not as strong as a stone wall. He had better talk about what he understands, I think.

Why there now, said Goodman, you are angry enough with Master Stitch, when he finds fault with your work, and can laugh at him for talking about what he does not understand. But now would it not be as well if you yourself would stick to your spade and hatchet, and not go about to patch up constitutions? May be you would make no better hand of a constitution than he would of a hedge.

May be so, said Gudgeon: but our leaders understand that work famously, and would give us such a constitution, as would make old England sing for joy.

So they tell you, said Goodman: and so Robespierre told the French; and when they were fools enough to believe him, and support him, till he got the power over them, he turned out a more bloody tyrant than the worst king they ever had. And what is there, neighbour, to hinder these leaders of yours from serving you just the same trick. I do not say that

things cannot be mended; I believe they may, and hope that they will. But I would no more set your leaders to mend them, than I would set Master Stitch to make a hedge, or you to make a pair of breeches. I say it is a it is a difficult business, which they were never bred up to: and it would be a sad day for old England, if a set of violent men were to begin tinkering at her Laws.

Besides, what a quantity of bloodshed there. must be, before these constitution-makers could get to try their hands at the work. What rising of Radicals, what fighting of soldiers, what murders and executions! And all this time things would be quite at a standstill. The ground would lie untilled, the manufactories would be shut up, and famine would destroy as many as the sword, just as it was in France. Now is this the Radical way of making England happy?

But are not things as bad as they can be now said Gudgeon. And would not a new government cure it all?

Times are bad certainly, said Goodman: but they are as bad for those that have a little property, as for the poor. Do not we know many and many a rich man, that has been ruined by them? So do not let us go and say, that the poor are worse off than the rich: as long as there are poor laws, which make the farmer obliged to support the poor labourer, and as long as the prices of goods are so sunk, that it is not worth the manufacturer's while to

make them, it is pretty plain that it is as much for the interest of the rich as the poor to alter things for the better. And so, neighbour, let us leave it to them to bring it about quietly, and as every honest man would wish it to be done. And let us rather wait patiently, than hurry the law-makers on too fast.

I say, it is as much their interest that every man should have work, and that things should go on better, as it is ours. So let us be quiet, and give them fair play: it will be time enough for us to stir, when we find that things will not mend without it. And be sure, neighbour, the longer we stand quiet, the more people will be of one mind, as to some change being necessary, if things do not become better. For it all comes of violent reformers and jacobins, that honest quiet men are frightened into supporting what is bad, for fear of something worse. Why now, do not you think, that many a man has been scared by you, into supporting ministers through thick and thin, who would have signed petitions and attended meetings to gain a reasonable and moderate reform? I say, let things alone. If our rulers can and will mend them, well! But if they cannot, or if they will not, as some of you say, why every year must add to the number of the folks that wish for a change. The public voice must be heard at last, if it is spoken quietly and steadily; and be sure the public voice will all be on the side of a moderate reform, sooner or later, if violent, foolish men do not frighten honest, quiet ones