old story, and its authenticity rather doubtful: tell us one that happened lately." "I can give you an instance which lately occurred within my own notice, of a man who in broad day light bought his old hat twice for a new one.” "How was that done?” "The Jew went on board a ship just arrived, and purchased, among other things, an old hat; but it being only weatherworn, he soon put a new gloss on it, and within a day or two, carried it with several others on board the ship, and sold it to the same man of whom he bought it, for it fitted him exactly. Soon after, the polish wearing off discovered the old hat. In due time the Jew went on board again, and after receiving very meekly all the abuse which was offered, purchased the hat: fortunately it had a very broad brim; he cut it smaller, put it into another shape, gave it a new gloss, and fitted it a second time on the same head."

Just as he finished this, a boy, in appearance not more than ten years of age, passed by, with as many old clothes slung over his back, as he could carry. "Do you see that little Jew?" said the man, "by the time he is twenty he will be the envy of every body. He did an exploit last week which will not soon be forgotten. The servants of a gentleman at the west end of the town had sold a quantity of their master's cast off clothes to a certain Jew with

1

whom that boy was acquainted,

The purchase

coming to his knowledge, he bought them of his friend, and the next morning with the clothes slung over his back he proceeded to the gentleman's house, and pacing to and fro before the door, began to bawl' Mr.'s old clothes to sell.' The servants hearing their master's name repeated, came to the door, and after discovering the Jew's design, found it expedient to buy them back at his own price." "Aye, there was some wit in this; but any one in the trade might have new glossed an old hat, or cut a broad brim narrower." No," said he, "though it is very easy to overreach the same man twice, yet to deceive him twice in the same article, belongs only to Rag Fair."

"Pray, do yourselves never buy bad bargains, and do you know just how long a coat has been worn?” "Yes, we can generally tell within an hour; and not only how long worn, but the style of life of the wearer. This coat was an auctioneer's, who was left handed: you see, though apparently a new coat it is quite threadbare under the left arm: when worn most at the back, that is the mark of a gentleman; if at the left elbow and at the right cuff, of an author; if at the shoulder, of a lounger; if at the pockets, it is a sign of a merchant, stockjobber or attorney.” 'How do you judge of small clothes?" "We

66

can speak more positively to them: the profession is generally found under the hip; and if they had no profession, it is easily ascertained whether they were sedate or restless, whether their gait was long or short. Here was a poor fellow who led a very unhappy life: see, his breeches are worn equally on both knees, in the seat, and behind, and are nearly threadbare, though they could not have been worn

more than three weeks.

Here was one who had the

gout to a cruel degree."-" But," said I, "can you conscientiously sell these clothes for new, could you find a purchaser? They would be sent back to Rag Fair again, the next day." "And why," said he,

"should this be the only honest trade in London?

In these times a poor man cannot be honest."

Adieu.

LETTER XII.

LONDON, NOVEMBER 27th.

THE observations which will escape me in this letter will necessarily be invidious; yet, as they will conduce to a knowledge of the English system, I shall not forbear them.

I seem to have found a new religion, so different is its aspect, in this country, from that which it discovers in New England.

Whenever religion degenerates into ceremony, or becomes the crooked way of worldly ambition, it becomes a matter of mockery with the profane, and of indifference with the more serious. The priest, who instead of supporting the Cross of Christ, thinks it sufficient to wear it on the back of his robe ;* or he, who in the moment of a nolo episcopari” accepts a bishoprick, must expect to meet with that ridicule to which he is justly liable. Whip me those delicate saints, who have exchanged the coarse garments of the apostles for

* The catholic priests, in time of divine service, wear the figure of the cross on the back of their gowns: in spite of the sanctity of the place, I could not but smile when I first saw this singular obedience to one of Christ's most positive precepts.

L

ace,

the courtly dress of the pharisees who, instead of challenging credit to the gospel, by humility, moderation and meekness, resort to the pen. Christ never designed his religion should be supported by Aristotle's Logic, nor Euclid's Elements. The gospel is an appeal to the heart; its operation, on the life; and its sanction, at the hour of death. All the arguments, which depth of research, and acuteness of mind can bring, weigh not against my disbelief, if he who brings them inhabits a paland gains another tythe by my conversion. Yet I may be in an error: our Saviour, you know, will, at his second coming, be preceded by the sound of the trumpet, and will come in great glory: now to whom should he come, if not to the heads of his church? consequently, his reception ought to be equal to the occasion. He tells you, his followers shall inherit the earth; hence, magnificent state will be evidence of heirship. But then St. Peter, when he delivered the key to the Bishop of Rome, ought to have told this, which would have secured his Holiness, the college of Cardinals, and the Lords spiritual from much profane ridicule.

The christian religion in England might induce a stranger to believe it was a political institution; that. its duties were defined by act of parliament; and that the clergy were officers who were paid for carrying