
shortened the rest of the day, without the assistance of cards, as I hated all
manner of gaming, except backgammon, at which my old friend and I sometimes took
a two-penny hit. Nor can I here pass over an ominous circumstance that happened
the last time we played together: I only wanted to fling a quatre, and yet I
threw deuce ace five times running.
    Some months were elapsed in this manner, till at last it was thought
convenient to fix a day for the nuptials of the young couple, who seemed
earnestly to desire it. During the preparations for the wedding, I need not
describe the busy importance of my wife, nor the sly looks of my daughters: in
fact, my attention was fixed on another object, the completing a tract which I
intended shortly to publish in defence of my favourite principle. As I looked
upon this as a master-piece both for argument and style, I could not in the
pride of my heart avoid shewing it to my old friend Mr. Wilmot, as I made no
doubt of receiving his approbation; but not till too late I discovered that he
was most violently attached to the contrary opinion, and with good reason; for
he was at that time actually courting a fourth wife. This, as may be expected,
produced a dispute attended with some acrimony, which threatened to interrupt
our intended alliance: but on the day before that appointed for the ceremony, we
agreed to discuss the subject at large.
    It was managed with proper spirit on both sides: he asserted that I was
heterodox, I retorted the charge: he replied, and I rejoined. In the mean time,
while the controversy was hottest, I was called out by one of my relations, who,
with a face of concern, advised me to give up the dispute, at least till my
son's wedding was over. »How,« cried I, »relinquish the cause of truth, and let
him be an husband, already driven to the very verge of absurdity. You might as
well advise me to give up my fortune as my argument.« »Your fortune,« returned
my friend, »I am now sorry to inform you, is almost nothing. The merchant in
town, in whose hands your money was lodged, has gone off, to avoid a statute of
bankruptcy, and is thought not to have left a shilling in the pound. I was
unwilling to shock you or the family with the account till after the wedding:
but now it may serve to moderate your warmth in the argument; for
