And now, to save any further trouble, and to meet those who disparage him (without allowance for the time or the crosses laid upon him), I will tell the history of him, just as if he were not my cousin, and hoping to be heeded.

And I defy any man to say that a word of this is either false, or in any way coloured by family.

Much cause he had to be harsh with the world; and yet all acknowledged him very pleasant, when a man gave up his money.

And often and often he paid the toll for the carriage coming after him, because he had emptied their pockets, and would not add inconvenience.

By trade he had been a blacksmith, in the town of Northmolton, in Devonshire, a rough rude place at the end of Exmoor, so that many people marvelled if such a man was bred there.