My Lord,--I suppose your lordship knows that the Bulls and the Frogs
have served the Lord Strutts with all sorts of draperyware time out
of mind. And whereas we are jealous, not without reason, that your
lordship intends henceforth to buy of your grandsire old Lewis
Baboon, this is to inform your lordship that this proceeding does
not suit with the circumstances of our families, who have lived and
made a good figure in the world by the generosity of the Lord
Strutts. Therefore we think fit to acquaint your lordship that you
must find sufficient security to us, our heirs, and assigns that you
will not employ Lewis Baboon, or else we will take our remedy at
law, clap an action upon you of 2O,OOO pounds for old debts, seize
and distrain your goods and chattels, which, considering your
lordship's circumstances, will plunge you into difficulties, from
which it will not be easy to extricate yourself. Therefore we hope,
when your lordship has better considered on it, you will comply with
the desire of
Your loving friends,
JOHN BULL,
NIC. FROG.

Some of Bull's friends advised him to take gentler methods with the
young lord, but John naturally loved rough play. It is impossible
to express the surprise of the Lord Strutt upon the receipt of this
letter. He was not flush in ready either to go to law or clear old
debts, neither could he find good bail. He offered to bring matters
to a friendly accommodation, and promised, upon his word of honour,
that he would not change his drapers; but all to no purpose, for
Bull and Frog saw clearly that old Lewis would have the cheating of
him.