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now fweeps away our horned Cattle, and equally deferving the Interpofition of Authority.

But Objectors still may be apt to question, whether your double-diftill'd Children, who pass through the feminal Veffels of both Sexes in the old Way of Generation, are not of Course more healthy and vigorous, than your fingle-diftill'd Infants will be, who are to receive only the Nurture of a female Womb? In Confutation of which filly Prejudice, though I could produce feveral very cogent Arguments from the Depth of Philosophy, yet I choose to answer this Query by another; Whether the present Race of Fathers, especially thofe in high Life, under the Circumftances I have defcribed, are qualifyed to beget Children at all? But when Women are left to breed of themselves, and the Venereal Disease is banished from among us, we may then hope to fee an Offfpring robuft and healthy; British Valour will then recover its ancient Glory; new Crefys, new Agincourts, new Blenheims succeed to grace our Annals,

Nor Henry be the laft that conquers France.

Wherefore, not doubting but my Scheme will immediately take Place, I fhall apply very foon for a Patent to secure to myself the fole Advantage of this Discovery; and in the mean Time I have taken a House in the Hay-market, dans la marché au foin, where I shall give Attendance to all Women defirous of breeding, from the Hours of Seven or Eight in the Evening, till Twelve at Night; and if they will quietly submit themselves to my Experiment, I will

enfure

enfure their Pregnancy at the proper Time, calculating from the Hour they did me the Favour of their Vifit. Let them consider that the Glory and Interest of Great Britain are now incumbent upon them, that it is in their Power to raise our Vigour, and, as I may fay, to mend the Breed of Englishmen. In fo doing, their Names will be recorded in Hiftory, as the illuftrious Propagators of Heroifm, the Founders of a new Sect of Men, and be handed down to Pofterity equally famous with the Spartan and Roman Ladies, whofe many gallant Atchievements for the Good of their Countries, in Times of Diftrefs, engaged Poets and Hiftorians in their Praise.

But principally and earnestly I address myself to you, Gentlemen of the Royal Society, who shine in the Dignity of F. R. S. and I hope you will recommend this Treatife to the World with all the Warmth and Zeal, that becomes the Promoters of useful Knowledge, the Patrons of Learning, the Judges of Science, and the Investigators of Truth.

I am, Gentlemen, with all poffible Refpect, Deference, Submiffion, and Veneration,

Your most obedient, humble,

and devoted Servant,

ABRAHAM JOHNSON.

A

MODEST DEFENCE

O F

GAMING.

First Printed in the Year 1754.

ED

A

MODEST DEFENCE

O F

GAMI M G.

Ο

F all the zealous Efforts that have been made by the Reformers of this Christian

Age to check the Progrefs of Vice and Immorality, the Clamour against Gaming hath met with the greatest Number of Voices to fupport it: the Journalist worries it from the Prefs: the Preacher curfes it most devoutly from the Pulpit; and to crown all, the Tragedian thunders against it from the Stage. This laft courageous Author, in the Hurry of his Valour, difdaining the Precaution of moft Heroes, who have ufually entered upon these Adventures, cafed in Poetry, and armed at all Points with Rhyme and Metaphor, fallies out with no earthly Weapon, but honeft blunt Profe, upon the old Scheme of fighting Giants, and taming Monsters. But firft he fends out his little Dwarf

of

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