In point of interest----the contest, I own, at first sight, did not appear so undecisive betwixt them; for whenever my father took pen and ink in hand, and set about calculating the simple expence of paring and burning, and fencing in the _Ox-moor_ &c. &c. --with the certain profit it would bring him in return----the latter turned out so prodigiously in his way of working the account, that you would have sworn the _Ox-moor_ would have carried all before it. For it was plain he should reap a hundred lasts of rape, at twenty pounds a last, the very first year----besides an excellent crop of wheat the year following----and the year after that, to speak within bounds, a hundred----but in all likelihood, a hundred and fifty------if not two hundred quarters of pease and beans----besides potatoes without end. ----But then, to think he was all this while breeding up my brother, like a hog to eat them----knocked all on the head again, and generally left the old gentleman in such a state of suspence----that, as he often declared to my uncle _Toby_----he knew no more than his heels what to do.

The contest, I own, at first sight, did not appear so close: for whenever my father calculated the simple expense of burning and fencing in the Ox-moor, compared to the profit it would bring him - the latter turned out so prodigiously in his favour, that you would have thought the Ox-moor would have carried all before it. For it was plain his crop of rape should make two thousand pounds the very first year - besides an excellent wheat harvest the year following - and the year after that, a hundred, if not two hundred quarters of peas and beans - besides potatoes without end.
But then, to think he was all this while breeding up my brother like a hog to eat them, knocked all on the head again, and left the old gentleman in such suspense that he knew no more than his heels what to do.
