65 A NEW PROPOSAL.

took me also a good lodging in the house of an Knglishwoman,
where several merchants lodged, some French, two Italians, or
rather Jews, and one Englishman. Here I was handsomely enough
entertained; and that I might not be said to run rashly upon any-
thing, | stayed here above nine months, considering what course to
take, and how to manage myself. I had some English goods with
me of value, ans a considerable sum of money, my nephew furnish-
ing me with a thousand pieces of eight, and a letter of credit for
more, if I had occasion, that T might not be straitened, whatever
might happen.

I quickly disposed of my goods, and to advantage too; and, as
I originally intended, T bought here some very good diamonds ;
which, of all other things, was the most proper for me in my
present. circumstances, because T might always carry my whole
estate about me.

After a long stay here, and many proposals made for my return
to England, but none falling out to my mind, the English
merchant who lodged with me, and with whom I had contracted
an intimate acquaintance, came to me one morning. ‘‘ Country-
man,” says he, “I have a project to communicate to you, which,
as it suits with my thoughts, may, for aught I know, suit with
yours also, when you shall haye thoroughly considered it.

“Here we are posted,” says he, “you by accident, and 1 by my
own choice, in a part of the world very remote from our own
country ; but it is in a country where, by us who understand trade
and business, a great deal of money is to be got. If you will put
a thousand pounds to my thousand pounds, we will hire a ship here,
the first we can get to our minds; you shall be captain, PI be
merchant, and we will go a trading voyage to China; for what
should we stand still for? The whole world is in motion, rolling
round and round; all the creatures of God, heavenly bodies and
earthly, are busy and diligent; why should we be idle? There
are no drones in the world but men; why should we be of that
number ?”

I liked his proposal very well, and the more because it seemed
to be expressed with so much goodwill and in so friendly a manner.
I will not say but that I might by my loose and unhinged cir-