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This was said by the Gentleman with the pair of Spectacles to Tom's Father, who immediatly bought for his Son, all Mr. ⟨Crowne's⟩ little Books and Tome read from the Beginning to the End first one Volume, and then another till he had made himself master of the whole
As Tom’s Father had been at London, served in the Train Bands, and performed many Feats of Valour both in White Chaple and Benhill Fields, he would have his Son become a Warriour also, therefore his Mother made him a Sword of a small Needle, an invulnerable Helmet of a Hazel Nut-shell, and a coat of Marl of a Mouse's Ears; of which he was so fond, that he always went armed, and on that account the Neighbours first called him Captain Thumb, then Colonel Thumb, end at last obtained the Name of General.
The great People, as well as the little, are subject to Misfortunes, from which neither Arms nor Honours can protect them, Goody Thumb being one Day in a Hurry, and being unable to dress anything
