410 TOUCH NOT THE TRIBUTE MONEY. 



men's pardon for the comparison) means the same 

 thing as one thief stealing the property, the other 

 sharing the profits of the booty. But this is not often 

 done, as Mr. Nickem is rather jealous of being known 

 as a purchaser; and still more jealous of putting him- 

 self in the power of his friend, whose honour he knows, 

 when put in competition with his interest, is about on 

 a par with his own. There is, however, one little ad- 

 vantage Nick has over the dealer, and of course over 

 any one else purchasing and selling in his Repository. 

 This I mention as a profound secret ; indeed I do not 

 say it ever is done ; I merely insinuate that there is a 

 bare possibility of its being distantly contemplated ; 

 for in fact it would be a breach of honour on Nick's 

 part towards Government ; and we must not suppose 

 any thing so truly monstrous as making a shilling at 

 Government's expense. None of our great men do it, 

 ever have done it, or ever will in future. There are, 

 I know, people who say great men have done such 

 things ; nay, are daily doing so now : but those who 

 promulgate such reports are only malignant, hypocri- 

 tical wretches, deserving stripes, banishment, and 

 every misery that flesh is heir to. I do not accuse 

 even Nick of such peculation, but there is no harm in 

 saying what might be done. 



In some repositories the purchaser pays the auc- 

 tion-duty of one shilling in the pound ; in others, the 

 seller pays it. This, it will be seen, w T ould make no 

 difference in the advantage Nick might contemplate. 

 If the dealer buys a horse at 40/., and has to pay the 

 duty, he stands him in 42/. ; if he buys one where the 

 seller pays it, this is considered by the seller, and he 

 prices his horse accordingly : so the dealer virtually 

 pays the 2/. just the same, as the owner would have 



