BERESFORD 



CHAPTER I 

 PISCATOR JUNIOR, AND VIATOR. 



ISC. You are happily overtaken, sir ; may a man 

 be so bold as to inquire how far you travel this 

 way? 



VIAT. Yes sure, sir, very freely, though it be a 

 question I cannot very well resolve you, as not 

 knowing myself how far it is to Ashborn, where I 

 intend to-night to take up my inn. 

 Pise. Why then, sir, seeing I perceive you to be a stranger in these 

 parts, I shall take upon me to inform you, that from the town you 

 last came through, called Brelsford, it is five miles ; and you are not 

 yet above half a mile on this side. 



VIAT. So much ? I was told it was but ten miles from Derby ; and, 

 methinks, I have rode almost so far already. 



Pise. O sir, find no fault with large measure of good land, which 

 Derbyshire abounds in, as much as most counties of England. 



VIAT. It may be so ; and good land, I confess, affords a pleasant 

 prospect : but, by your good leave, sir, large measure of foul way is 

 not altogether so acceptable. 



Pise. True, sir ; but the foul way serves to justify the fertility of 

 the soil, according to the proverb, " There is good land where there 

 is foul way ; " and is of good use to inform you of the riches of the 



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