A poor vicar, in a very remote province, had, on some popular occasion, preached a sermon so exceedingly acceptable to his parishioners, that they entreated him to print it, which, after due and solemn deliberation, he promised to do. This was the most remarkable incident of his life, and filled his mind with a thousand fancies. The conclusion, however, of all his consultations with himself was, that he should obtain both fame and money, and that a journey to the metropolis, to direct and superintend the great concern, was indispensable. After taking a formal leave of his friends and neighbours, he proceeded on his journey. On his arrival in town, by great good fortune he was recommended to the worthy and excellent Mr. Bowyer, to whom he triumphantly related the object of his journey. The printer agreed to his proposals, and required to know how many copies he would choose to have struck off. “Why, Sir,” returned the clergyman, “I have calculated that there are in the kingdom so many thousand parishes, and that each parish will at least take one, and others more; so that I think we may venture to print about thirty-five or thirty-six thousand copies.” The printer bowed, the matter was settled, and the Reverend author departed in high spirits to his home. With much difficulty and great self-denial, a period of about two months was suffered to pass, when his golden visions so tormented his imagination, that he could endure it no longer, and accordingly wrote to Mr. Bowyer, desiring him to send the debtor and creditor account, most liberally permitting the remittances to be forwarded at Mr. B.’s convenience. Judge of the astonishment, tribulation, and anguish, excited by the receipt of the following account, or something very much resembling it. The Rev. ⸺ £. _s._ _d._ Cr. By the sale of 17 copies of sermon 1 5 6 Dr. By printing and paper, 35,000 copies of said sermon 785 5 6 ------------ By balance due to Mr. Bowyer £784 0 0 They who know the character of this most amiable and excellent printer, will not be at all surprized to hear, that in a day or two, a letter to the following purport was forwarded to the clergyman. Rev. Sir, I beg pardon for innocently amusing myself at your expence, but you need not give yourself uneasiness. I knew better than you could do, the extent of the sale of single sermons, and accordingly printed but 50 copies, to the expence of which you are heartily welcome, in return for the liberty I have taken with you, &c. &c.