Is it not matter of fact, that from the richest tradesman in all the country, I am reduced to beg and borrow from scriveners and usurers that suck the heart, blood, and guts out of me, and what is all this for! Did you like Frog's countenance better than mine?
Was not I your old friend and relation?
Have I not presented you nobly?
Have I not clad your whole family?
Have you not had a hundred yards at a time of the finest cloth in my shop?
Why must the rest of the tradesmen be not only indemnified from charges, but forbid to go on with their own business, and what is more their concern than mine?
As to holding out this term I appeal to your own conscience, has not that been your constant discourse these six years, "One term more and old Lewis goes to pot ?" If thou art so fond of my cause be generous for once, and lend me a brace of thousands.

Ah, Hocus! Hocus! I know thee: not a sous to save me from jail, I trow.

Look ye, gentlemen, I have lived with credit in the world, and it grieves my heart never to stir out of my doors but to be pulled by the sleeve by some rascally dun or other.
"Sir, remember my bill.

There's a small concern of a thousand pounds; I hope you think on't, sir." And to have these usurers transact my debts at coffee-houses and ale-houses, as if I were going to break up shop.
Lord! that ever the rich, the generous John Bull, clothier, the envy of all his neighbours, should be brought to compound his debts for five shillings in the pound, and to have his name in an advertisement for a statute of bankrupt.

The thought of it makes me mad.