Page:The genuine remains in verse and prose of Mr. Samuel Butler (1759), volume 2.djvu/222

deavours to match his Estate, rather than himself, to the best Advantage, and if his Mistress's Fortune and his do but come to an Agreement, their Persons are easily satisfied, the Match is soon made up, and a Cross Marriage between all four is presently concluded. He is not much concerned in his Lady's Virtues, for if the Opinion of the Stoics be true, that the virtuous are always rich, there is no doubt, but she that is rich must be virtuous. He never goes without a List in his Pocket of all the Widows and Virgins about the Town, with Particulars of their Jointures, Portions, and Inheritances, that if one miss he may not be without a Reserve; for he esteems Cupid very improvident, if he has not more than two Strings to his Bow. When he wants a better Introduction he begins his Addresses to the Chamber-maid, like one that sues the Tenant to eject the Landlord, and according as he thrives there makes his Approaches to the Mistress. He can tell readily what the Difference is between Jointure with Tuition of Infant, Land, and Money of any Value, and what the Odds is to a Penny between them all, either to take or leave. He does not so much go a wooing as put in his Claim, as if all Men of Fortune