r,
as at present; and further, I intend America shall submit. What think
you of it so far?

MOCKLAW. A day I've long wish'd to see! but you stagger me, my Lord, not
as to my honour, secrecy, or resolution to serve you, but as to the
accomplishment of such grand designs.

PARAMOUNT. 'Tis true, I have undertaken a mighty task, a task that would
have perplexed the Council of Nice, and stagger'd even Julius
Caesar--but--

MOCKLAW. You have need, my Lord, of all your wisdom, fortitude and
power, when you consider with whom you have to contend--Let me see--Lord
Wisdom--Lord Religion--Lord Justice--Lord Patriot--the bold Irishman,
&c., &c., &c., and the wisdom of the United Colonies of America in
Congress to cope with; as individuals they are trifling, but in league
combined may become potent enemies.

PARAMOUNT. Granted--But are you so little of a lawyer as not to know the
virtue of a certain specific I'm possess'd of, that will accomplish any
thing, even to performing miracles? Don't you know there's such sweet
music in the shaking of the treasury keys, that they will instantly lock
the most babbling patriot's tongue? transform a Tory into a Whig, and a
Whig into a Tory? make a superannuated old miser dance, and an old Cynic
philosopher smile. How many thousand times has your tongue danc'd at
Westminster Hall to the sound of such music?

MOCKLAW. Enchanting sounds, powerful magic, there's no withstanding the
charms of such music, their potency and influence are irresistible--that
is a point of law I can by no means give up, of more force than all the
acts of parliament since the days of King Alfred.

PARAMOUNT. I'm glad you acknowledge that--Now then for a line of
politics--I propose to begin first by taxing America, as a blind--that
will create an eternal animosity between us, and by sending over
continually ships and troops, this will, of course, produce a civil
war--weaken Britain by leaving her coasts defenseless, and impoverish
America; so that we need not fear any thing from that quarter. Then the
united fleets of France and Spain with troops to appear in the channel,
and make a descent, while my kinsman with thirty thousand men lands in
Scotland, marches to London, and joins the others: What then can prevent
the scheme from having the wish'd for effect? This is the main point,
which keep to yourself.

MOCKLAW. If it has failed heretofore, 'tis impossible it should fail
now; nothing within the reach of human w