The Chevalier St. Louis. "A very just observation. It is, indeed, an inconceivable thing why the police have never employed any but men of blemished character. Surely a sufficient number of honest ones might be found!"
Myself. "Perhaps you, sir, would not object to fill the post now occupied by Vidocq!"
The Chevalier. "I, sir! God preserve me from such an employment."
Myself. "Then, my good sir, why propose impossibilities?"
Sir Wilson. "And impossibilities they will remain, till the police of France, which is now nothing but a gloomy institution, a series of continual devices and plots, shall have ceased to encourage spies, and shall have adopted other means than those at present employed to preserve public order and general safety."
An English Lady (surrounded by a host of half-pay officers, who appeared most anxious to pay their court to her, and who, I believe, was Lady Owenson.[1]) "Ah, general, you know few people understand these things as well as you do."
One of the Officers. "See! yonder is General Beaufort, with the Picard family!"
Lady Owenson. "Good day to you, general. I beg to condole with you upon the affair of your snuff-box, of which I have just heard the history. We have an old proverb in our language which signifies, 'That it is wiser to keep ourselves awake over our cups, than to expose oneself to a long nap in the nearest ditch!'"
The General (with bitterness.) "That proverb might have been taught with profit to the unfortunate butcher every person seems talking so much about."
Lady Owenson. "And not have come amiss to you either, general; but, joking apart, why do you not apply to Vidocq to recover your snuff-box for you?"
- ↑ Possibly meant for Lady Morgan, formerly Miss Owenson.—Trans.
