\ 1826.] Ilorcv Polonicee. S57 



Veil- Well, suppose we go in ! {Going funcard.) 



Mr. J. (pulls him back) Stop, sir, stop ! I am a man of generosity, and I cannot 

 think of depriving my brethren in trade of the plcupure of lodging a gentleman wlio can 

 go well paint the pleasure of beneficence. Good night, sir ! (Shuts the door.) 



There is something infinitely cool in the regular Jeremy Diddler way in which 

 Vincent here tries to raise a supper, and the pleasant style in which he wished 

 to reconcile iheaubergiste. Yet the Polish author thinks he has made Mr. John 

 very contemptible, and Vincent very philosophic. The fact is, that in Poland, 

 as in all partially civilized countries, hospitality is claimed as a right, not asked 

 as a favour. Vincent is very indignant in soliloquy on the ill-nature of John, 

 and goes to sleep in the forest. While he is asleep two robbers pass hastily 

 across the stage, one carrying a valise. A shot is directed after them, and the 

 valise is dropped among the trees to enable its bearer to escape : Drcwinsky and 

 other forest-keepers scour across the stage in pursuit : the day breaks. This 

 is the first scene of the second act, which passes in dumb show. 



In the second scene Vincent wakes, feverish and oppressed with cold and 

 hunger, lamenting his lot, when Annette appears with her father's breakfast. 

 She pities his misfortunes, and ventures to give him what was intended for her 

 father. Sine Ccrere ct Baccho, says the oKI T,atin adage, /rigct Venus. The 

 converse is equally true it appears; Cum Cererc et Bacchu vigct Venus, Love 

 fills Vincent's soul as the provision fills his stomach, and he loses his heart and 

 appetite together. She departs, and he rises to proceed on his journey, when 

 as he goes along he finds the valise. After a short internal struggle between 

 poverty and honestj", he determines to carry it back to the village, but from 

 ignorance of the forest unfortunately takes the wrong way. In the mean time, 

 the gentleman who had lost the valise, and who happens to be a scientific 

 traveller, has roused the country, and he appears with officers of justice. In a 

 rather amusing scene, he describes, to the great amazement of these gentry, the 

 valuable contents of his treasure beyond price — crocodiles' eggs — the sword of 

 a sword-fish — the beak of an onocrotalus, &-c. &c. &c., \\ hen poor Vincent is 

 brought in, taken in the maner, as the lawyers say, with the stolen properly in 

 his hand. It is in vain that he denies the charge, and says that he was going to 

 return with it to the village, for it is proved that he was walking directly the 

 contrary way. The man of science gets into a passion with his obstinacy, and 

 says, "There's no more need of talking : you are a notorious highwayman. 

 Besides committing so desperate a robbery, you have added to it the unheard-of 

 atrocity of threatening the precious life of a man, known all over the world for 

 his philosophical labours." 



Vincent. Spite of these philosophical labours, I can see that you are no philosopher. 



Traveller, (angry) Wretch that you are ! I no philosopher ! 



Vin, If you deserved that title. Sir, you would not charge me with a crime without 

 being quite sure that you are not making a false accusation. 



Trav. I no philosopher ! The scoundrel deserves no mercy. 



Officer. Jlake yourself easy. He sliall be treated as he deserves. 



Trav. I cannot stop any longer. I am in haste to the capital. Gentlemen, 

 receive my thanks. I no philosopher ! Gentlemen, I leave the business in your hands. 

 No philosopher, indeed ! \,Exit. 



Officer. Who are you? (To Vincent.) 



Vin. My name is Francis Vincent Girkins. 



Officer. Your abode ? 



Vin. Wherever necessity, fatigue, or pleasure makes me remain. 



Officer. You confess, therefore, that you have no fixed dwelling? Without re- 

 ference ? 



Vin. No, not without reference (points to his heart). I can always refer here. 

 [Pretty nonsense this, by-the-bye, but such fine speeches are clap-traps in other 

 countries besides Poland.] 



Officer. O, the honest man ! What are you ? 



Vin. A Cosmopolite. 



Officer. A Moscopolete ! A grand title. 



