After a long and strict Inquisition after my Fathers Pedegree, I could not find any of his Ancestors bearing a _Coat_: surely length of time had _worn_ it out. But if the _Gentle Craft_ will any wayes ennoble his Family, I believe I could deduce several of his Name, Professors of that lasting Art, even from _Crispin_. My Fathers Father had by his continual labour in Husbandry, arrived to the height of a Farmer, then the Head of his Kindred: standing upon one of his own Mole-Hills, Ambition so swelled him, that he swore by his Plow-share, that his eldest Son (my Father) should be a _Scholhard_: and should learn so long, till he could read any printed or written hand; nay, and if occasion should serve, write a Bill or Bond. It was never known that any of the Family could distinguish one letter from another, neither could they speak above the reach of their Horses understandings. Talk to them in any other Dialect but that of a _Bag-pudding of a Peck_, or _a piece of Beef_, (in which their teeth might step wet shod) and a man were as good to have discoursed with them in _Arabick_. But let me not abuse them; for some understood something else that is to say, The Art of Whistling, Driving their Team and to shoo themselves as well as their Horses; how to lean methodically upon a Staff and through the holes of their Hat, tell what it is a Clock by the Sun. The symmetricall proportion, sweetness of features, and acuteness of my Fathers wit, were such (though extracted out of this lump of _red_ and _white marle_) that he was belov’d of all. As the loveliness of his person gain’d always an interest in Female hearts; so the quickness of apprehension and invention, and the acquired quaintness of his expressions; procured him the friendship of such as converted with him. A Gentleman at length taking notice of more then ordinary natural Parts in him, at his proper charge sent him to School contrary to the desire of his Father, who was able enough to maintain him at School; and to say the truth this Gentleman offered not my Father his patronage upon any charitable account, but that he might hearafter glory in the being the chief instrument of bringing up such a fair promising Wit, which he questioned not with good cultivation would bring forth such lovely fruit as would answer cost, and fully satisfie his expectation. Being admitted into the Grammar-School, by the strength of his memory, to his Masters great amazement, in a very short time he had _Lillies Rules_ by heart, out-stripping many that for years had been entred before him; his Master perceiving what a stupendious proficiency he had made, was very glad that this fair opportunity offered it self, that he might be idle, and in order thereunto would frequently appoint my Father to be his Usher or Deputy, when he intended to turn Bacchanalian, to drink, hunt, or whore, to which vices he was over-much addicted. My Father having now conquered