The characters, or, The manners of the age by Monsieur de la Bruyere ... made English by several hands ; with the characters of Theophrastus, translated from the Greek, and a prefatory discourse to them, by Monsieur de la Bruyere ; to which is added, a key to his Characters.

Of Impudence occasioned by Coveteousness.

THis vice may be defined a neglect of reputation, upon the account of sor∣did gain. A person influenced by this prin∣ciple, will ask to borrow money of one whom he has already openly cheated. The very day that he sacrifices to the Gods, he salts his consecrated flesh and keeps it for another time (instead of * 1.1 devoutly eating it) going to Supper with some body else, and there calling in his Footboy before the whole Company, takes a great piece of Meat and Bread off the Table, gives it him, and in all their hearings bids him eat heartily; when he goes himself to the Butchers, to buy the cheaper, tells him that he did him a kindness at such a time; when his meat is weighed, standing by the Scales) he will (if it be possible) put more in than is his due weight, if he be hindered from that, he will throw a Bone into the Scale, which if he can but carry off he is mightily pleased, but if he cannot he'll snatch some of the off all off the Stall, and go away laughing,

When he has any Strangers with him, that desire to see a Play, and give him money to pay for their places, he always contracts for himself to come in on freecost, and have his Chi••dren and their Tutor in the next day after. What ever he sees another have that cost very cheap, he'll beg earnestly to let him have part of it. And when he comes to ano∣thers house, he'll be borrowing even Barley, or Chaff it self; and make them that he borrowed it of, send it home to his own House. He goes into the Bath, and makes use of all the bathing Ves••els, and con∣veniencies, and servants * 1.2 bathes himself, whilst the Master of the Bath makes great complaints to no purpose, who going away tells him, I have Bathed but no thanks to you.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This was the Custom amongst the Greeks.
• * 1.2

  None but the poor people did so to save Charges.