said. " He is enough to corrupt a whole galley of such innocent men as those beside him! Give him ten crowns to buy some clothes; and see, you rascal," he added, "that you reform your ways. As for these other worthy but unfortunate gentlemen, they will,' I am sure, return me their thanks for ridding them of a fellow who might have corrupted even them." The rumor of this incident spread rapidly in convict circles, and when, two days later, the duke paid a similar visit to another gal ley, and addressed his accustomed questions to the crew, the amount of self-accusation was perfectly appalling! Not a man but, by his own account, merited either the gibbet or the wheel. The duke was moved, as well he might be, by their terrible revelations. "It is strange," he said, " to find so many souls capable of such diabolical wickedness! Their punishment is the only public safety. To release these three hundred miscreants were to turn loose into the ripe corn-fields as many foxes with firebrands at their tails. Give every man of them a heavier chain." One alone made answer. He was an apos tate monk. " The fetters of a convent," he remarked, " were more galling than those of the galleys." "Strike off this fellow's chain!" said the duke. "Send him back to the slavery he finds the worst." The records of French law present us with the following remarkable case : A worker in tapestry sought to recover from a lady a certain sum for goods supplied. He was his own lawyer, and availed himself of the opportunity to make a speech of such unnecessary length, that the fair defendant, out of all patience, broke in : — "Gentlemen, permit me to explain the matter in two words. This person under took, for the sum named, to supply me with a piece of Flemish tapestry, comprising sev
eral figures, well designed, one, especially, being as handsome, as engaging, as — whom shall I say? — as M. le President! Instead of that, he delivers me a work displaying" a group of creatures of almost diabolical hideousness, — the principal an exact portrait of himself." That plaintiff was nonsuited. There is no safe reliance upon the discre tion of our "inner witness." He will blurt out the truth at the most unseasonable times. Bertrand Solas, a wealthy Spaniard, resi dent at Naples, was accustomed to " take his walks abroad " clad in very gorgeous ap parel. On one of these occasions he was run against by a porter, carrying a huge bundle of firewood, a portion of which caught and tore his silken robe. In a furious rage he carried his complaint to the viceroy him self. The latter knew that it was the invaria ble custom with porters to call out to any approaching person, " Gare! " — Anglice, "By your leave! " — and inquired if he had given the usual warning. Solas replied in the negative. " Then I will punish him se verely," said the viceroy. The porter was apprehended, but was warned by the viceroy's orders that what ever questions might be addressed to him, he was to remain perfectly mute. The case was then heard, the prisoner only respond ing by signs. " What penalty," asked the judge, turning to Solas, " can I possibly in flict on this wretched dumb fellow?" "He is trifling with your Excellency," said the hot Spaniard. " He is no more dumb than I am. I heard him shout out ' Gare! '" "Ah! you did? Then why did n't you take his warning? You will pay him ten crowns for his loss of time." — All the Year Round.
