nce, if
not with actual displeasure. I then tried another tack. I abused the
rich and commended the poor; I harangued in round terms on the grabbing
monopoly of the great, who enjoyed all the good things of this life, and
would share none with their neighbours; I even hinted a sly encomium on
those public-spirited individuals whose gallantry and sense of justice
led them to risk their lives in endeavours to equalise somewhat more
fairly this world's wealth, and who were so ungenerously styled robbers
and highwaymen, though they were in reality benefactors and heroes. But
they only laughed at this; nor did they show any real sympathy with
my opinions till in my general attack on all constituted
authorities--kings, priests, statesmen, judges, and gendarmes--by
chance I included revenue-officers. The phrase seemed like a spark on
gunpowder.

'Curses be on the wretches! they are the plague-spots of the world,'
cried I, seeing how they caught at the bait; 'and thrice honoured the
brave fellows who would relieve suffering humanity from the burden of
such odious oppression.'

A low whispering now took place among my escort, and at length he who
seemed the leader stopped me short, and placing his hand on my shoulder,
cried out--

'Are you sincere in all this? Are these your notions?'

'Can you doubt me?' said I. 'What reasons have I for speaking them? How
do I know but you are revenue-officers that listen to me?'

'Enough, you shall join us. We are going to pass this sack of cigars.'

'Ho! these are cigars, then,' said I, brightening up. 'It is not
a--a--eh?'

'They are Dutch cigars, and the best that can be made,' said he, not
minding my interruption. 'We shall pass them over the frontier by Sedan
to-morrow night, and then we return to Dinant, where you shall come with
us.'

'Agreed!' said I, while a faint chill ran through my limbs, and I could
scarcely stand--images of galley life, irons with cannon-shot, and a
yellow uniform all flitting before me. From this moment they became
extremely communicative, detailing for my amusement many pleasing
incidents of their blameless life--how they burned a custom-house here,
and shot an inspector there--and in fact displaying the advantages of my
new profession, with all its attractions, before me. How I grinned with
mock delight at atrocities that made my blood curdle, and chuckled over
the roasting of a revenue-officer as though he had been a chestnut! I
affected to see dro