I, what were Adam and Eve's Fig-Leaves, and who sewed them together? Pray, says I to him, Who was the first Pawnbroker? He could not answer me, so I asked him what he thought of Joseph, who took the Lands of the AEgyptians in Pledge for Corn in the Time of Famine; and so I silenc'd him.

And now, tho' I have the Gift of Knowledge, I have no Expectation but to die; but what signifies Life, 'tis but a Vapour and a Trouble, and we all must die sooner or later. I hope no one will reflect upon my Son for my dying in so shameful a Manner, and that is my last Request.

JOHN FOSTER< no role > 'S Account, as given by himself.

I Was 35 Years old the 17th of last June ; my Father and Mother lived in Little Distaff-Lane , near St. Paul's , but I had the Misfortune to know neither of my Parents, for my Mother died in Labour with me, and my Father, who was a Plasterer, died ten Weeks after; upon which I was lft to the Care of the Parish of St. Matthew; Friday-street ; and when I was big enough, was put into the Ward Charity School, where I continued till I was 9 Years old. Then I was put Apprentice to John Goldsmith< no role > , Chimney-Sweeper , in Bell-Alley , Coleman-street , with whom I served out my Apprenticeship, and afterwards I Worked a Year with him as a Journeyman. After this I married a Wife, and lived with her ten Years; I had five Children by her, but they are all dead except one Girl, who is now about Five Years old.

The Deceased had been Cook at the Sun-Tavern in Aldersgate-street , near the End of Long-Lane , five Years. She married a topping Gentleman's Son, who lived with her but a very small Time; after he left her, she took to ill Courses, such as Drinking and keeping ill Company; and for her Livelihood sold Greens about the Streets; and my Landlady where I lodged being her Acquaintance, used to lend her Money to go to Market with. Her Father's Name was Showell, he was a Chairmaker in St. Luke's Parish, and afterwards kept a Publick-House, the Sign of the Angler, in Brick-Lane, near Old-street.

The Day when this unhappy Accident happened, I had been at Hornsey , and swept the Minister's Chimnies at Croutch-End ; after which I went to the Green-Dragon at Muswell-Hill , and did some Work there. When I returned to Crouch-End in my Way Home, I met 2 Men of the same Business, who being likewise going to London, we all three went in at Mr. White's, at the Butcher's-Arms at Crouch-End , and there we drank 4 or 5 Full-Pots of Two-penny. My Misfortune is, that when I drink I cannot eat, so when I got out into the Fields, my Heels grew lighter than my Head, and I could hardly stand; but by that Time I got Home, I was pretty middling, and my Wife and I got some Victuals together; after which we got a few Drams, and she and the Landlady having been drinking Drams before I came Home, we were all three equally fuddled,