A coper's confession. 87 



A COPER'S CONFESSION. 



I think, Tester, I've been a very tolerable master to you." 

 ■ Very tolerable indeed, Sir." Old Play, 



There are few men, I feel bound to say, who can have 

 a greater regard for thoroug-h independency of character 

 than myself; and yet it has been my constant aim 

 through life to act up to that beautiful old English axiom 

 which so touchingly develops itself in this simple inquiry 

 — '^ What is the use of having a friend if 3'ou don't make 

 use of him ?" 



By this candid avowal, I would not wish it to be 

 understood that I treat my round of acquaintance just as 

 I should their pheasants and hares — by taking one single 

 shot at, and then have done with them. Far from it. 

 I flatter myself I am too good a judge to commit so 

 monstrous an outrage on their good fellowship or my own 

 good feeling. I would never, for example, gammon a 

 man, with a civil smile and insinuating* address, into 

 standing security for any of my little road-side liabilities ; 

 never wish him to be guilty of perjury in testifying to 

 the morality of my character or the sobriety of my con- 

 duct ; and would as soon think of asking him to lend me 

 his wife for three weeks as his name for three months. 

 No, no ; the very nature of these sort of things has, I am 



