The New Hampshire Gazette

LONDON.

April 24. The Caimacan of Constantinople, passing through the streets of that capital, to inspect the behavior of the people, to hear complaints, and to redress grievances, stepped into a baker's shop, and ordered his bread to be examined, which being found very defective, either in quantity or quality, the Caimacan directed his oven to be heated, and when it was so, ordered the baker to be tied neck and heels, and thrown into it; after which, he caused it to be stopped up close. Some days after, conversing with a Christian Ambassador, his excellency took the liberty of representing to that magistrate, that this punishment was too severe. I do acknowledge that it was, said the Caimacan; but pray does nothing of this kind ever happen amongst you? The Ambassador owned there were such misdemeanors, but that in order to restrain them, there were punishments properly proportioned to such offences. Mighty well, replied the Caimacan, but notwithstanding these punishments, do not these people sometimes offend again? The Ambassador owned they did: but then said he, we punish them again, and punish them more severely. Oh oh! cry'd out the Caimacan, you do; and is not this losing time? One unusual, and too severe chastisement as I own this to be, will keep the bakers of Constantinople honest for at least ten years, and I shall never have occasion to bake another, while I am in office; whereas with you, there is nothing but offending & punishing, punishing and offending, world without end. [Those of that Profession amongst us, who are so often found Deficient, need to bless their Stars that they have not a Caimacan to deal with.]