 was another Point which a little perplexed him
at present. I had said, that some of our Crew left their Country on Account of
being ruined by Law: That I had already explained the Meaning of the Word; but
he was at a Loss how it should come to pass, that the Law which was intended for
every Man's Preservation, should be any Man's Ruin. Therefore he desired to be
farther satisfied what I meant by Law, and the Dispensers thereof, according to
the present Practice in my own Country: Because he thought, Nature and Reason
were sufficient Guides for a reasonable Animal, as we pretended to be, in
shewing us what we ought to do, and what to avoid.
    I assured his Honour, that Law was a Science wherein I had not much
conversed, further than by employing Advocates, in vain, upon some Injustices
that had been done me. However, I would give him all the Satisfaction I was
able.
    I said there was a Society of Men among us, bred up from their Youth in the
Art of proving by Words multiplied for the Purpose, that White is Black, and
Black is White, according as they are paid. To this Society all the rest of the
People are Slaves.
    For Example. If my Neighbour hath a mind to my Cow, he hires a Lawyer to
prove that he ought to have my Cow from me. I must then hire another to defend
my Right; it being against all Rules of Law that any Man should be allowed to
speak for himself. Now in this Case, I who am the true Owner lie under two great
Disadvantages. First, my Lawyer being practiced almost from his Cradle in
defending Falshood; is quite out of his Element when he would be an Advocate for
Justice, which as an Office unnatural, he always attempts with great
Awkwardness, if not with Ill-will. The second Disadvantage is, that my Lawyer
must proceed with great Caution: Or else he will be reprimanded by the Judges,
and abhorred by his Brethren, as one who would lessen the Practice of the Law.
And therefore I have but two Methods to preserve my Cow. The first is, to gain
over my Adversary's Lawyer with a double Fee; who will then betray his Client,
by insinuating that he hath Justice on his Side. The second Way is for my Lawyer
to make my Cause appear as unjust as he can; by allowing the Cow to belong to my
Adversary; and this if it be skilfully done, will certainly bespeak the Favour
of the Bench.
    Now,
