dye, and laces
that seem to copy the fret-work of the richest cathedral of your Fleming!"

"Thou hast journeyed much, in thy time, Master Seadrift, and speakest of
countries and usages with understanding," said the Alderman. "But how
stand the prices of these precious goods? Thou knowest the long war, and
the moral certainty of its continuance; this German succession to the
throne, and the late earthquakes in the country, too, have much unsettled
prices, and cause us thoughtful burghers to be wary in our traffic.--Didst
inquire the cost of geldings, when last in Holland?"

"The animals go a-begging!--As to the value of my goods, that you know is
fixed; for I admit of no parley between friends."

"Thy obstinacy is unreasonable, Master Seadrift. A wise merchant will
always look to the state of the market, and one so practised should know
that a nimble sixpence multiplies faster than a slow-moving shilling. 'Tis
the constant rolling of the ball that causes the snow to cleave! Goods
that come light should not go heavy, and quick settlements follow sudden
bargains. Thou knowest our York saying, that 'first offers are the best.'"

"He that likes may purchase, and he that prefers his gold to fine laces,
rich silks, and stiff brocades, has only to sleep with his money-bags
under his pillow. There are others who wait, with impatience, to see the
articles; and I have not crossed the Atlantic, with a freight that
scarcely ballasts the brigantine, to throw away the valuables on the
lowest bidder."

"Nay, uncle," said Alida, in a little trepidation "we cannot judge of the
quality of Master Seadrift's articles, by report. I dare to say, he has
not landed without a sample of his wares?"

"Custom and friendships!" muttered Myndert; "of what use is an established
correspondence, if it is to be broken on account of a little cheapening?
But produce thy stores, Mr. Dogmatism; I warrant me the fashions are of
some rejected use, or that the color of the goods be impaired by the usual
negligence of thy careless mariners. We will, at least pay thee the
compliment to look at the effects."

"'Tis as you please," returned the other. "The bales are in the usual
place, at the wharf, under the inspection of honest Master Tiller--but if
so inferior in quality, they will scarce repay the trouble of the walk."

"I'll go, I'll go," said the Alderman, adjusting his wig and removing his
spectacles; "'twould not be treating an old correspondent well