ought not to be published here; for Mr. Adams hath told me your Ladyship's
Pleasure, and the Reason, which is a very good one, to prevent burdening us with
the Poor, we have too many already; and I think we ought to have an Act to hang
or transport half of them. If we can prove in Evidence, that he is not settled
in Fact, it is another matter. What I said to Mr. Adams, was on a Supposition
that he was settled in Fact; and indeed if that was the Case, I should doubt.« -
»Don't tell me your Facts and your ifs,« said the Lady, »I don't understand your
Gibberish: You take too much upon you, and are very impertinent in pretending to
direct in this Parish, and you shall be taught better, I assure you, you shall.
But as to the Wench, I am resolved she shall not settle here; I will not suffer
such Beauties as these to produce Children for us to keep.« - »Beauties indeed!
your Ladyship is pleased to be merry,« - answered Scout. - »Mr. Adams described
her so to me,« said the Lady. »- Pray what sort of Dowdy is it, Mr. Scout?« -
»The ugliest Creature almost I ever beheld, a poor dirty Drab, your Ladyship
never saw such a Wretch.« - »Well but, dear Mr. Scout, let her be what she will,
- these ugly Women will bring Children you know; so that we must prevent the
Marriage.« - »True, Madam,« replied Scout, »for the subsequent Marriage
co-operating with the Law, will carry Law into Fact. When a Man is married, he
is settled in Fact; and then he is not removeable. I will see Mr. Adams, and I
make no doubt of prevailing with him. His only Objection is doubtless that he
shall lose his Fee: But that being once made easy, as it shall be, I am
confident no farther Objection will remain. No, no, it is impossible: but your
Ladyship can't discommend his Unwillingness to depart from his Fee. Every Man
ought to have a proper Value for his Fee. As to the matter in question, if your
Ladyship pleases to employ me in it, I will venture to promise you Success. The
Laws of this Land are not so vulgar, to permit a mean Fellow to contend with one
of your Ladyship's Fortune. We have