e some
years before. I thought of divers things to lay my small sums out to
advantage, but could fix on nothing; for it always happens that when
people have but a trifle, they are very dubious in the disposal of it.

Having been long resolving in my mind, I at last fixed on merchandise as
the most genteel and profitable of anything else. Accordingly I went to
a merchant who was intimate with my late lord, and letting him know how
my circumstances were, he heartily condoled with me, and told me he
could help me to a share in two ships--one was going a trading voyage to
the coast of Africa, and the other a-privateering. I was now in a
dilemma, and was willing to have a share in the trader, but was dubious
of being concerned in the privateer; for I had heard strange stories
told of the gentlemen concerned in that way of business. Nay, I had
been told, but with what certainty I cannot aver, that there was a set
of men who took upon them to issue ships, and as they always knew to
what port they are bound, notice was sent to their correspondent abroad
to order out their privateers on the coast the other sailed, and they
knowing the loading, and the numbers of hands and guns were on board,
soon made prizes of the vessels, and the profits were equally divided,
after paying what was paid for their insurance, among them all.

However, I at last resolved, by the merchant's advice, to have a share
in the trader, and the next day he over-persuaded me to have a share in
the privateer also. But that I may not lay out my money before I have
it, it may not be amiss to observe that I went to the executors and
received my L500 at an hour's notice, and then went to the merchant's to
know what the shares would come to, and being told L1500, I was resolved
to raise the money; so I went home, and, with my maid Isabel, in two
days' time disposed of as many of my clothes as fetched me near L1100,
which, joined to the above sum, I carried to the merchant's, where the
writings were drawn, signed, sealed, and delivered to me in the presence
of two witnesses, who went with me for that purpose. The ships were near
ready for sailing; the trader was so well manned and armed, as well as
the privateer, that the partners would not consent to insure them, and
out they both sailed, though from different ports, and I depended on
getting a good estate between them.

When I was about this last ship a letter came from the count, my son,
full of tender expres