Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 184: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN, 150 ‘¢T travel for my own pleasure.” ‘¢ Will you state the origin of the quarrel?” said the Lord Mayor in a conciliatory tone of voice, and with a politeness which he thought due to the other’s rank. The request was immediately interpreted, and acceded to. ‘¢T entered a pastry-cook’s shop to take a bowl of soup, and, by mere chance, seated myself opposite to that individual,” answered Belle-Rose, pointing to Mr. Higgins, who lolled out his tongue and looked towards the crowd of spectators in the court, as 1f he were desirous of soliciting their peculiar attention to a language which he, in his ignorance, laughed at. ‘‘ My soup was so hot that. I burnt my mqguth, and accidentally stamped upon my neighbour’s foot in an instant of pain. I do not deny that his ridiculous physi- ognomy brought a smile to my lips: but ere I could apologize for my awkwardness, he struck me a violent blow, which knocked me down; and the interference of the police-officer alone prevented me from returning it.”’ ‘¢ You are entirely in the wrong, Mr. Higgins,” said the Lord Mayor in a harsh tone, when he had examined the witnesses ; ‘‘ and if you do not satisfy this French nobleman by the most humble apology, I shall not only fine you for breaking the peace, but shall stronely recommend him to prosecute you for the assault.” ‘¢ Lord bless your worship!’’ exclaimed the chop-fallen grocer ; ‘¢ T’m sure if I'd known that such was the law, I would never have lifted up a finger, much less a fist against the Frenchman: but, I am as basely ignorant of the laws as your lordship, or any other fellow-creature.” ‘¢ Do not make me the subject of your odious comparisons,”’ cried the Lord Mayor; ‘ but terminate this affair as speedily as you can, and let me never see your face in this office again.”’ ‘¢T thought the liberty of a British subject, who hates the French as he ought to do,’’ remonstrated Mr. Higgins, ‘‘ was as safe as a guinea in your lordship’s pocket.” ‘¢ Justice, sir, is the basis of liberty. And now, once more, I command you to solicit that gentleman's pardon, or it shall go hard with you.” ‘Pretty justice!’ muttered Mr. Higgins between his teeth ; then, calling the interpreter towards him, he said, ‘* Will you have the goodness to explain to that snivelling Frenchman, that I heartily forgive him for the stamp on my corns, and I desire him to think no more about the rap on the head that I gave him in return; and you may say, if you like, that I’ll shake hands with him, and stand a bottle of wine to drink the Lord Mayor’s health.” The conciliatory portion of this apology was briefly explained to the sot-disant count, who thanked the Lord Mayor for his kindness, in having thus terminated the business, and withdrew from the court, saying to himself, as a complacent smile animated his coun- tenance, ‘* Well! at all events, the English authorities pay more respect to aristocracy than the French. Decidedly I must try London a little longer.” And having thus made up his mind to prolong his visit to the metropolis of England, he pulled his hat 20 CONNIE OOOKS (SO)