280 A MONTH IN THE FORESTS OF FRANCE. 



they arrived at the station with but short time in 

 which to make their arrangements and to catch the 

 packet, he recommended them to scatter their money 

 broadcast amongst these rogues, rather than enter 

 into any altercation with them, or attempt to resist 

 their manifold impositions. 



" Well," I said ; " but surely the Prefect of Police 

 will not sanction the fact of a common constable en- 

 acting the part of judge and receiver of fines ; that 

 can't be right ? " 



" Oh, no," the Consul replied, " you may get re- 

 dress there, and procure the offender's discharge ; but 

 you will find your attempt met by the following fact. 

 The cab-driver, whom you struck, will already, and 

 in the way of precaution, have laid his charges 

 against you. If you let his friend the constable 

 alone, he will not go on with his case; but, if you 

 attack the constable, then he will press his suit. You 

 will have no chance against him : you know no one 

 whom you can call as a witness ; the young French- 

 man who was with you is gone to England ; while he, 

 your accuser, will bring any amount of false testi- 

 mony, through a hundred blackguards of his class, to 

 swear anything against you, and he will show the 

 mark of the blow. Suppose you succeed and beat 

 him, you will be detained here ten days or a fort- 



