and constantly laid every Fault the Dogs were at, to the Account of the
poor Boy, who was now transplanted to the Stable. Here he soon gave Proofs of
Strength and Agility, beyond his Years, and constantly rode the most spirited
and vicious Horses to water with an Intrepidity which surprized every one. While
he was in this Station, he rode several Races for Sir Thomas, and this with such
Expertness and Success, that the neighbouring Gentlemen frequently solicited the
Knight, to permit little Joey (for so he was called) to ride their Matches. The
best Gamesters, before they laid their Money, always enquired which Horse little
Joey was to ride, and the Betts were rather proportioned by the Rider than by
the Horse himself; especially after he had scornfully refused a considerable
Bribe to play booty on such an Occasion. This extremely raised his Character,
and so pleased the Lady Booby, that she desired to have him (being now seventeen
Years of Age) for her own Foot-boy.
    Joey was now preferred from the Stable to attend on his Lady; to go on her
Errands, stand behind her Chair, wait at her Tea-table, and carry her
Prayer-Book to Church; at which Place, his Voice gave him an Opportunity of
distinguishing himself by singing Psalms: he behaved likewise in every other
respect so well at divine Service, that it recommended him to the Notice of Mr.
Abraham Adams the Curate; who took an Opportunity one Day, as he was drinking a
Cup of Ale in Sir Thomas's Kitchin, to ask the young Man several Questions
concerning Religion; with his Answers to which he was wonderfully pleased.
 

                                  Chapter III

  Of Mr. Abraham Adams the Curate, Mrs. Slipslop the Chambermaid, and others.
 
Mr. Abraham Adams was an excellent Scholar. He was a perfect Master of the Greek
and Latin Languages; to which he added a great Share of Knowledge in the
Oriental Tongues, and could read and translate French, Italian and Spanish. He
had applied many Years to the most severe Study, and had treasured up a Fund of
Learning rarely to be met with in a University. He was besides a Man of good
Sense, good Parts, and good Nature; but was at the same time as entirely
ignorant of the Ways of this World, as an Infant just entered into it could
possibly be. As he had never any Intention to deceive, so he never suspected
such a Design in others. He was generous, friendly and brave to an Excess; but
Simplicity was his Characteristic: he did, no more than Mr.