_Mr. Seal._ Genealogy and descent! Sir, there has been in our family a very large one. There was Galfrid the father of Edward, the father of Ptolomey, the father of Crassus, the father of Earl Richard, the father of Henry the Marquis, the father of Duke John. _Sir J. Bev._ What, do you rave, Mr. Sealand? all these great names in your family? _Mr. Seal._ These? yes, sir. I have heard my father name 'em all, and more. _Sir J. Bev._ Ay, sir? and did he say they were all in your family? _Mr. Seal._ Yes, sir, he kept 'em all. He was the greatest cocker[134] in England. He said Duke John won him many battles, and never lost one. _Sir J. Bev._ Oh, sir, your servant! you are laughing at my laying any stress upon descent; but I must tell you, sir, I never knew anyone but he that wanted that advantage turn it into ridicule. _Mr. Seal._ And I never knew any one who had many better advantages put that into his account.--But, Sir John, value yourself as you please upon your ancient house, I am to talk freely of everything you are pleased to put into your bill of rates on this occasion; yet, sir, I have made no objections to your son's family. 'Tis his morals that I doubt. _Sir J. Bev._ Sir, I can't help saying, that what might injure a citizen's credit may be no stain to a gentleman's honour. _Mr. Seal._ Sir John, the honour of a gentleman is liable to be tainted by as small a matter as the credit of a trader. We are talking of a marriage, and in such a case, the father of a young woman will not think it an addition to the honour or credit of her lover that he is a keeper---- _Sir J. Bev._ Mr. Sealand, don't take upon you to spoil my son's marriage with any woman else. _Mr. Seal._ Sir John, let him apply to any woman else, and have as many mistresses as he pleases. _Sir J. Bev._ My son, sir, is a discreet and sober gentleman. _Mr. Seal._ Sir, I never saw a man that wenched soberly and discreetly, that ever left it off; the decency observed in the practice hides, even from the sinner, the iniquity of it. They pursue it, not that their appetites hurry 'em away, but, I warrant you, because 'tis their opinion they may do it. _Sir J. Bev._ Were what you suspect a truth--do you design to keep your daughter a virgin till you find a man unblemished that way? _Mr. Seal._ Sir, as much a cit as you take me for, I know the town and the world; and give me leave to say, that we merchants are a species of gentry that have grown into the world this last century, and are as honourable, and almost as useful, as you landed folks, that have always thought yourselves so much above us; for your trading, forsooth, is extended no farther than a load of hay or a fat ox. You are pleasant people, indeed, because you are generally bred up to be lazy; therefore, I warrant you, industry is dishonourable. _Sir J. Bev._ Be not offended, sir; let us go back to our point.