e
of issuing the same, for they dissuaded their crafts from parading.
Nothing, however, so well helped me out as the volunteers, of which I
will speak by and by; for when the war began, and they were formed,
nobody could afterwards abide to look at the fantastical and disorderly
marching of the trades, in their processions and paradings; so that, in
this manner, all the glory of the fairs being shorn and expunged, they
have fallen into disrepute, and have suffered a natural suppression.

CHAPTER XIX--THE VOLUNTEERING

The volunteers began in the year 1793, when the democrats in Paris
threatened the downfall and utter subversion of kings, lords, and
commons. As became us who were of the council, we drew up an address to
his majesty, assuring him that our lives and fortunes were at his
disposal. To the which dutiful address, we received, by return of post,
a very gracious answer; and, at the same time, the lord-lieutenant gave
me a bit hint, that it would be very pleasant to his majesty to hear that
we had volunteers in our town, men of creditable connexions, and willing
to defend their property.

When I got this note from his lordship, I went to Mr Pipe, the
wine-merchant, and spoke to him concerning it, and we had some discreet
conversation on the same; in the which it was agreed between us that, as
I was now rather inclined to a corpulency of parts, and being likewise
chief civil magistrate, it would not do to set myself at the head of a
body of soldiers, but that the consequence might be made up to me in the
clothing of the men; so I consented to put the business into his hands
upon this understanding. Accordingly, he went the same night with me to
Mr Dinton, that was in the general merchandising line, a part-owner in
vessels, a trafficker in corn, and now and then a canny discounter of
bills, at a moderate rate, to folk in straits and difficulties. And we
told him--the same being agreed between us, as the best way of
fructifying the job to a profitable issue--that, as provost, I had got an
intimation to raise a corps of volunteers, and that I thought no better
hand could be got for a co-operation than him and Mr Pipe, who was
pointed out to me as a gentleman weel qualified for the command.

Mr Dinton, who was a proud man, and an offset from one of the county
families, I could see was not overly pleased at the preferment over him
given to Mr Pipe, so that I was in a manner constrained to loot a sort a-