Page:The genuine remains in verse and prose of Mr. Samuel Butler (1759), volume 2.djvu/205

of disposing of Bastards, before they are born, to the right Proprietors, that no Parish may be wronged, and forced to pay for more Fornication, than they have had Occasion for. Next this he does his Country signal Service in the judicious and mature Legitimation of tipling Houses, that the Subject be not imposed upon with illegal and arbitrary Ale. At the Sessions his Recognisances appear, or hide their Heads, according as his Wife and Clerk have found the Bill; for Delinquents, like Aldermen, that fine for't, are excused, otherwise they must stand and bear Office in the Court, tho' it be but to be whipped, or set in the Pillory. If he be of the Quorum he is a double Justice, and ought, like a double Jugg, to hold as much as two simple ones; but if he hap to be empty and out of Justice in any Business, he is not at Home; or not at Leisure, and so the Matter is transmitted to the next in Capacity. His Conscience is never troubled for his own Sins, especially those of Commission (which he takes to be but the Privilege of his Place) for he finds it is Business enough for one Man, to have to do with those of others.