John had the curiosity to retire into a corner to peruse those billets doux* of Nic.'s, wherein he found that Nic.

had used great freedoms both with his interest and reputation.

One contained these words: "Dear Lewis, thou seest clearly that this blockhead can never bring his matters to bear.
Let thee and me talk to-night by ourselves at the 'Rose,' and I'll give thee satisfaction." Another was thus expressed: "Friend Lewis, has thy sense quite forsaken thee to make Bull such offers?
Hold fast, part with nothing, and I will give thee a better bargain, I'll warrant thee!" * Some offers of the Dutch at that time, in order to get the negotiation into their hands.
In some of his billets he told Lewis "That John Bull was under his guardianship; that the best part of his servants were at his command; that he could have John gagged and bound whenever he pleased by the people of his own family." In all these epistles, blockhead, dunce, ass, coxcomb, were the best epithets he gave poor John.

In others he threatened,* "That he, Esquire South, and the rest of the tradesmen, would lay Lewis down upon his back and beat out his teeth if he did not retire immediately and break up the Meeting." * Threatening that the allies would carry on the war without the help of the English.
I fancy I need not tell my reader that John often changed colour as he read, and that his fingers itched to give Nic.

a good slap on the chops, but he wisely moderated his choleric temper.