condemned, and pleaded as earnestly with my
fellow-citizens to open their purses, as I had formerly done to prevail
with them to keep them shut. But, alas! my rhetoric had not the effect
I proposed. The consequence of my arguments was only contempt to
myself. The people at first stared on one another, and afterwards began
unanimously to express their dislike. An impudent fellow among
them, reflecting on my trade, cried out, 'Stinking fish;' which was
immediately reiterated through the whole crowd. I was then forced to
slink away home; but I was not able to accomplish my retreat without
being attended by the mob, who huzza'd me along the street with the
repeated cries of 'Stinking fish.'

"I now proceeded to court, to inform his majesty of my faithful service,
and how much I had suffered in his cause. I found by my first reception
he had already heard of my success. Instead of thanking me for my
speech, he said the city should repent of their obstinacy, for that he
would show them who he was: and so saying, he immediately turned that
part to me to which the toe of man hath so wonderful an affection, that
it is very difficult, whenever it presents itself conveniently, to keep
our toes from the most violent and ardent salutation of it.

"I was a little nettled at this behavior, and with some earnestness
claimed the king's fulfilling his promise; but he retired without
answering me. I then applied to some of the courtiers, who had lately
professed great friendship to me, had eat at my house, and invited me to
theirs: but not one would return me any answer, all running away from me
as if I had been seized with some contagious distemper. I now found by
experience, that as none can be so civil, so none can be ruder than a
courtier.

"A few moments after the king's retiring I was left alone in the room to
consider what I should do or whither I should turn myself. My reception
in the city promised itself to be equal at least with what I found at
court. However, there was my home, and thither it was necessary I should
retreat for the present.

"But, indeed, bad as I apprehended my treatment in the city would be,
it exceeded my expectation. I rode home on an ambling pad through crowds
who expressed every kind of disregard and contempt; pelting me not
only with the most abusive language, but with dirt. However, with much
difficulty I arrived at last at my own house, with my bones whole, but
covered over with filth.

"When I