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ceive the cause, why the Divel did not stir. Soon after, Sir Hierome the Exorcist came again, more duely prepared by fasting, &c. having eaten but three eggs and a proportion of cawdle, rather to clear his pipes then otherwise; but then hee found the Divel departed: Mr. Wadman having been let blood in the mean time.
'Tis believed, that Sir Hierome ventured upon this imaginary Divel, upon the successe, I have often heard him say, hee had against the walking Spirit named, Tuggin, between whom and himself, there were great bickerings, when Sir Hierome was Curate and read the Common Prayer.
Another reason why I must be prosecuted is, to vindicate Sir Hierome, and to shew at least that there was probabilis causa litigandi;[1] the which, although there had been, yet hee (poor Spunge!) knew it not; nor ought any such causa litigandi to be made use of, as causa rixandi, debacchandi, vociferandi, &c. All which extravagancies the Knights own blind zeal or the muffled designes of others lead him into. I say when this Cat Sir Hierome, had burnt his paw, by reaching the Apes Chestnuts out of the hot Embers,
- ↑ "Probabilis cause litigandi": substantial grounds for participating in a trial (Wikisource ed.).
