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draw this attempt likewiſe upon the rights and liberties of the new ſettlers. One part only of the new decree remained unreverſed—viz. the tax upon Water Gruel.[1]
Now there were certain men[2] on the old farm who had obtained from the Nobleman an excluſive right of ſelling Water Gruel. Vaſt quantities of this Gruel were vended amongſt the new ſettlers; for it became very faſhionable for them to uſe it in their families in great abundance. They did not however trouble themſelves much about the tax on Water Gruel: they were well pleaſed with the reverſal of the other parts of the decree, and conſidering Gruel as not abſolutely neceſſary to the comfort of life, they were determined to endeavour to do without it, and by that means avoid the remaining effects of the new decree.
The ſteward found his deſigns once more fruſtrated; but was not diſcouraged by this diſappointment. He formed another ſcheme ſo artfully contrived that he thought himſelf ſure of ſucceſs. He ſent for the perſons who had the ſole right of vending Water Gruel, and after reminding them of the obligations they were under to the Nobleman and his wife for their excluſive privilege, he deſired that they would
