The Covent-Garden Journal/Number 8

by Henry Fielding

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1752. Numb. 8.

Ambubaiarum Collegia, Pharmacopolœ

Mendici, Mimi, Balatrones; hoc genus omne.

HOR.

A motley Mixture! in long Wigs, in Bags,

In Silks, in Crapes, in Garters and in Rags.

Dunciad.

THE following is a ltieral Copy of the Fragment mentioned in my Sixth Paper. In what Language it was originally writ, is impossible to determine. To determine this would be, indeed, to ascertain who these Robinhoodians were; a Point, as we shall shew in our Comment, of the utmost Difficulty. From the apparent Difference in the Style, and Spelling of the Translation, it seems to have been done into English by several Hands, and probably in distant Ages. I have placed my Conjectures concerning some doubtful Words, at the Bottom of the Page, without venturing to disturb the Text.

*Importinent Questions cunsarning Relidgin and Gubermint, handyled by the Robinhoodians.

March 8. 1 51

THIS Evenin the Questin at the Robinhood was, whether Relidgin was of any youse to a Sosyaty; baken** bifor mee To'mmas Whytebred, Baker.

JAMES SKOTCHUM, Barber, spak as floweth: Sir, I ham of Upinion, that Relidgin can be of no youse to any mortal Sole: bycause as why, Relidgin is no youse to Trayd, and if Relidgin be of no youse to Trayd, how ist it yousefool

---<page bottom>---

*Perhaps impertinent.

**I think this should be read taken, and the Baker's being intent on his Trade, occasioned by the Corruption.

---<new page>---

to Sosyaty. Now no Body can deny but that a Man maye kary on his Trayd very wel without Relidgin; nay, and beter two, for then he maye wurk won Day in a Wik mor than at present; whereof no Body can saye but that seven is mor than six: Besides, if we haf no Relidgin we shall haf no Pairsuns*, and that will be a grate Savin to the Sosyaty; and it is a Miaksum** in Trayd, That a Peny sav'd is a Peny got. Whereof --- The End of this Speech seems to be wanting, as doth the Beginning of the next.