, he accosted the
youth in English, which he spoke tolerably well; and as they were strangers,
offered to attend them in the afternoon to all the places worth seeing in Lisle.
Our hero thanked him for his excess of politeness, which (he said) was peculiar
to the French nation; and struck with his engaging appearance, industriously
courted his conversation, in the course of which he learnt, that this chevalier
was a man of good sense and great experience, that he was perfectly well
acquainted with the greatest part of Europe, had lived some years in England,
and was no stranger to the constitution and genius of that people.
    Having dined, and drank to the healths of the English and French kings, two
Fiacres were called, in one of which the knight, with one of his companions, the
governor and Peregrine seated themselves, the other being occupied by the
physician, Pallet, and two Scottish officers, who proposed to accompany them in
their circuit. The first place they visited was the citadel, round the ramparts
of which they walked, under the conduct of the knight, who explained with great
accuracy the intention of every particular fortification belonging to that
seemingly impregnable fortress; and when they had satisfied their curiosity,
took coach again, in order to view the arsenal, which stands in another quarter
of the town: but, just as Pickle's carriage had crossed the Promenade, he heard
his own name bawled aloud by the painter; and ordering the Fiacre to stop, saw
Pallet with one half of his body thrust out at the window of the other coach,
crying with a terrified look, »Mr. Pickle, Mr. Pickle, for the love of God!
halt, and prevent bloodshed, else here will be carnage and cutting of throats.«
Peregrine, surprized at this exclamation, immediately alighted, and advancing to
the other vehicle, found one of their military companions standing upon the
ground, at the further side of the coach, with his sword drawn, and fury in his
countenance; and the physician, with a quivering lip and haggard aspect,
struggling with the other, who had interposed in the quarrel, and detained him
in his place.
    Our young gentleman, upon inquiry, found that this animosity had sprung from
a dispute that happened upon the ramparts, touching the strength of the
fortification, which the doctor, according to custom, undervalued, because it
was a modern work; saying, that by the help of the military engines used among
the ancients, and a few thousands of pioneers, he would engage to take it in
less than
