_Sir Simon._ To be sure it is;--but men, like you, shou'dn't be too apt to lay hold of every sentiment justice drops, lest you misapply it. 'Tis like an officious footman snatching up his mistress's periwig, and clapping it on again, hind part before. What are you? _Job._ A tradesman, Sir Simon. I have been a freeholder, in this district, for many a year. _Sir Simon._ A freeholder!--Zounds! one of Frank's voters, perhaps, and of consequence at his election. [_Aside._] Won't you, my good friend, take a chair? _Job._ Thank you, Sir Simon, I know my proper place. I didn't come here to sit down with Sir Simon Rochdale, because I am a freeholder; I come to demand my right, because you are a justice. _Sir Simon._ A man of respectability, a tradesman, and a freeholder, in such a serious case as yours, had better have recourse to a court of law. _Job._ I am not rich, now, Sir Simon, whatever I may have been. _Sir Simon._ A magistrate, honest, friend, can't give you damages:--you must fee counsel. _Job._ I can't afford an expensive lawsuit, Sir Simon:--and, begging your pardon, I think the law never intended that an injured man, in middling circumstances, should either go without redress, or starve himself to obtain it. _Sir Simon._ Whatever advice I can give you, you shall have it for nothing; but I can't jump over justice's hedges and ditches. Courts of law are broad high roads, made for national convenience; if your way lie through them, 'tis but fair you should pay the turnpikes. Who is the offender? _Job._ He lives on your estate, Sir Simon. _Sir Simon._ Oho! a tenant!--Then I may carry you through your journey by a short cut. Let him marry your daughter, my honest friend. _Job._ He won't. _Sir Simon._ Why not? _Job._ He's going to marry another. _Sir Simon._ Then he turns out. The rascal sha'n't disgrace my estate four and twenty hours longer.--Injure a reputable tradesman, my neighbour!----a freeholder!--and refuse to----did you say he was poor? _Job._ No, Sir Simon; and, by and by, if you don't stand in his way, he may be very rich. _Sir Simon._ Rich! eh!--Why, zounds! is he a gentleman? _Job._ I have answer'd that question already, Sir Simon. _Sir Simon._ Not that I remember. _Job._ I thought I had been telling you his behaviour. _Sir Simon._ Umph! _Job._ I reckon many of my neighbours honest men, though I can't call them gentlemen;--but I reckon no man a gentleman, that I can't call honest. _Sir Simon._ Harkye, neighbour;--if he's a gentleman (and I have several giddy young tenants, with more money than thought), let him give you a good round sum, and there's an end.