 Servant; for
so he imagined Joseph to be. He then invited Mr. Adams to Dinner, and desired
the young Woman might come with him. Adams refused a long while; but the
Invitation was repeated with so much Earnestness and Courtesy, that at length he
was forced to accept it. His Wig and Hat, and other Spoils of the Field, being
gathered together by Joseph, (for otherwise probably they would have been
forgotten;) he put himself into the best Order he could; and then the Horse and
Foot moved forward in the same Pace towards the Squire's House, which stood at a
very little distance.
    Whilst they were on the Road, the lovely Fanny attracted the eyes of all;
they endeavoured to outvie one another in Encomiums on her Beauty; which the
Reader will pardon my not relating, as they had not any thing new or uncommon in
them: So must he likewise my not setting down the many curious Jests which were
made on Adams, some of them declaring that Parson-hunting was the best Sport in
the World: Others commending his standing at Bay, which they said he had done as
well as any Badger; with such like Merriment, which tho' it would ill become the
Dignity of this History, afforded much Laughter and Diversion to the Squire, and
his facetious Companions.
 

                                  Chapter VII

    A Scene of Roasting very nicely adapted to the present Taste and Times.
 
They arrived at the Squire's House just as his Dinner was ready. A little
Dispute arose on the account of Fanny, whom the Squire who was a Batchelor, was
desirous to place at his own Table; but she would not consent, nor would Mr.
Adams permit her to be parted from Joseph: so that she was at length with him
consigned over to the Kitchin, where the Servants were ordered to make him
drunk; a Favour which was likewise intended for Adams: which Design being
executed, the Squire thought he should easily accomplish, what he had, when he
first saw her, intended to perpetrate with Fanny.
    It may not be improper, before we proceed farther to open a little the
Character of this Gentleman, and that of his Friends. The Master of this House
then was a Man of very considerable Fortune; a Batchelor, as we have said, and
about forty Years of Age: He had been educated (if we may here use that
Expression) in the Country, and at his own Home, under the Care of his Mother
and a Tutor, who had Orders never to correct him nor to compel him to learn more
than he
