down her one pound fourteen shillings, thought that she had paid sufficiently for the releasement of her favourite _Tom_, who in the main had not got one half-penny worth of eating in the bargain, and as historians say, could never account from that time to this, for all this unnecessary expence, and as fruitless confinement; I say, madam _Skinflint_ imagined that the business would end here; but the court thought otherwise, and therefore as the parings of cheese were by that wise _Diet_, thought to be a _diet_, which might very probably occasion _thirst_, they also adjudged that _Tom_ should have something to wash down his victuals, and the verdict in his favour, was that she should pay one shilling, over and above all costs and damages for that balsamic liquor, vulgarly called _Gin_: Which Mrs. _Clotilda_, being addicted to, did not so much regret the payment of, and it was, without hesitation brought in; but we never were informed that _Tom_ shared a drop of it, as it is averred, and that strongly, that a little water was more consentaneous to his choice, of which, when he had drank, like any other good fellow, not considering his present misfortunes, the good-nature of his friends, or the malice of his enemies, he leaped on the table, washed his face, and began a very solemn purr, which pleased the whole company, and forced even the humane Mrs. _Clotilda_ to break out—_Poor_ Tom _have I got you again? Gentlemen did you ever see so fine a creature?_ Thus ended the imprisonment, and release of _Tom_, with which we shall beg leave to end this chapter, as Mrs. _Clotilda_ her husband, and the maid-servant were also included in the discharge, all departing the prison-scene, and going to their respective pillows. CHAP. IX. _The surprizing Adventures of Tom Traveller are continued in this Chapter._