The De Coverley Papers | Page 6

case in the reports of our own courts. No one
ever took him for a fool, but none, except his intimate friends, know he
has a great deal of wit[24]. This turn makes him at once both
disinterested and agreeable: as few of his thoughts are drawn from
business, they are most of them fit for conversation. His taste of books
is a little too just for the age he lives in; he has read all, but approves of
very few. His familiarity with the customs, manners, actions, and
writings of the ancients, makes him a very delicate observer of what

occurs to him in the present world. He is an excellent critic, and the
time of the play is his hour of business; exactly at five he passes
through New Inn, crosses through Russell Court, and takes a turn at
Will's until the play begins; he has his shoes rubbed and his periwig
powdered at the barber's as you go into the Rose[25]. It is for the good
of the audience when he is at a play, for the actors have an ambition to
please him.
The person of next consideration is Sir Andrew Freeport, a merchant of
great eminence in the city of London. A person of indefatigable
industry, strong reason, and great experience. His notions of trade are
noble and generous, and (as every rich man has usually some sly way
of jesting, which would make no great figure were he not a rich man)
he calls the sea the British Common. He is acquainted with commerce
in all its parts, and will tell you that it is a stupid and barbarous way to
extend dominion by arms; for true power is to be got by arts and
industry. He will often argue, that if this part of our trade were well
cultivated, we should gain from one nation; and if another, from
another. I have heard him prove, that diligence makes more lasting
acquisitions than valour, and that sloth has ruined more nations than the
sword. He abounds in several frugal maxims, amongst which the
greatest favourite is, "A penny saved is a penny got." A general trader
of good sense is pleasanter company than a general scholar; and Sir
Andrew having a natural unaffected eloquence, the perspicuity of his
discourse gives the same pleasure that wit would in another man. He
has made his fortunes himself; and says that England may be richer
than other kingdoms, by as plain methods as he himself is richer than
other men; though, at the same time, I can say this of him, that there is
not a point in the compass but blows home a ship in which he is an
owner.
Next to Sir Andrew in the club-room sits Captain Sentry, a gentleman
of great courage, good understanding, but invincible modesty. He is
one of those that deserve very well, but are very awkward at putting
their talents within the observation of such as should take notice of
them. He was some years a captain, and behaved himself with great
gallantry in several engagements, and at several sieges; but having a

small estate of his own, and being next heir to Sir Roger, he has quitted
a way of life in which no man can rise suitably to his merit, who is not
something of a courtier, as well as a soldier. I have heard him often
lament, that in a profession where merit is placed in so conspicuous a
view, impudence should get the better of modesty. When he has talked
to this purpose, I never heard him make a sour expression, but frankly
confess that he left the world[26] because he was not fit for it. A strict
honesty and an even regular behaviour, are in themselves obstacles to
him that must press through crowds, who endeavour at the same end
with himself, the favour of a commander. He will however, in his way
of talk, excuse generals, for not disposing according to men's desert, or
inquiring into it: For, says he, that great man who has a mind to help
me, has as many to break through to come at me, as I have to come at
him: Therefore he will conclude, that the man who would make a figure,
especially in a military way, must get over all false modesty, and assist
his patron against the importunity of other pretenders, by a proper
assurance in his own vindication[27]. He says it is a civil[28]
cowardice to be backward in asserting what you ought to expect, as it is
a military fear to be slow in attacking when it is your duty. With this
candour does the gentleman speak of himself and others. The same
frankness runs through all his conversation. The military part of his