448 CIIAQUE PAYS, CHAQUE MODE. 



compass, just as we do a camp stool, the difference 

 being that the stool can be opened again at pleasure, 

 whereas I paid Tilbury twenty pounds to bring the 

 gig again into proper form and dimension. 



On applying to the very improperly called proper 

 authorities, also of blessed memory, for redress, I was 

 told, that mine being the lighter vehicle I should have 

 got out of the way, and that I might think myself 

 most leniently dealt with if Monsieur le Charrettier 

 did not punish me for having assaulted him. I did 

 not deny I had given the fellow a punch or two on 

 the head, and a straight one in his stomach ; on re- 

 ceiving which last visitation he bellowed as if I was 

 going to murder him, and incontinently took to his 

 heels, or rather his cart, and then set his dog at me. 

 As he rose at me I gave him also a straight one in his 

 throat, when like his master, he bolted. All this was 

 fact. An Englishman in the Frenchman's place would 

 have been ashamed to have allowed it was so, and I 

 think an English magistrate would have been a little 

 ashamed had he made the decision of Monsieur le . 



Now I must most candidly confess, that though in a 

 general way I like France and French people, and 

 more particularly French cuisine, I did on this oc- 

 casion, even in court, most energetically d French 



law, and most particularly and especially this parti- 

 cular and especial French . I suppose all this 



was considered as either pleading my own cause, or 

 held as complimenting the Court on its lenity, for I was 

 requested to repeat it in French. This I was prepa- 

 ring to do, with embellishments ; but my avocat very 

 wisely advised me to hold my tongue, and said I was 

 only stating I did not understand French law: 

 this was quite satisfactory ; so, I suppose, in lieu of 



