 but double their Weight, and they, immediately become of twenty Times the Estimation.
This Pamphlet consisted of a Sheet, sewed in blew Paper. I instantly, paid my two-pence, and sat down to peruse it, I found that it contained several very free Remonstrances, against his Majesty, and the Ministers, for joining with
France
in the War against
Holland,
in opposition to the civil and religious Interests of
England.
Together, with a few collateral Digressions, in Assertion of
Magna Charta,
of the Freedom of Man, in general; and of
Britons,
in particular. I perceived that it was written with much more Judgment than Genius. And what, said I to
Wellcot,
will you give to that Man who shall, confessedly, excel this your most eminent of Patriot Writers, upon his own Subject, and in his own Way? Give Sir? Cried the Bookseller, many Thanks, and a proportionable Increase of Profits. Enough, Sir, I answered, you shall soon hear from me again. I wish you a good Morrow.
On my Return, I called at Mr.
Goodville
's, but he had sailed for
France,
about a Fortnight before. I, then, went about to a Number of Pamphlet-Shops, and bought up all the political Papers that had any Reference to the Matter in Hand.
I sat down to my Work, like a hungry Man to his Victuals; and I grudged my Heart those short Indulgencies, which it enjoyed in the Society of the two Objects of its fondest Affections.
Having finished my first Paper, in about a Fortnight, I entitled it the WEEKLY MONITOR, and took it directly to
Wellcot
's. Here, Sir, said I, is my Friend's first Venture. But, has your Friend, demanded
Wellcot,
in a discouraging Accent, sent the usual Indemnity for the first Impression of a young Author? That shall not be wanting, I answered, if you require it, Mr.
Wellcot.
Why, said he, I do not take upon me to be a Judge in these Matters; and yet, Custom has given me a shrewd sort of a Guess. Come, Sir, I have a few Minutes to throw away, and they are, at your Service.
He, then, sat down, and, having read about a Dozen Lines, Ay, ay! says he, they don't, always, do thus at
Newmarket;
your Friend, I find, has set out at the Top of his Speed. Going on, something further, he cried,
