state, have higher things to mind than you may conceive.
F. If by free you mean out of prison, I hope to continue so, as long as I can pay my rent to the 'squire's bailiff; but what is meant by a free state?
G. Tell me first what Is meant by a club in the village, of which I know you to be a member.
F. It is an assembly of men, who meet after work every Saturday to be merry and happy for a few hours in the week.
G. Have you no other object but mirth?
F. Yes; we have a box, into which we contribute equally from our monthly or weekly savings, and out of which any members of the club are to be relieved in sickness or poverty; for the parish officers are so cruel and insolent, that it were better to starve than apply to them for relief.
G. Did they, or the 'squire, or the parson, or all together, compel you to form this society?
F. Oh! no; we could not be compelled; we formed it by our choice.
