 you
have done of ours in London, you would have been sent to the Bastile without
ceremony, where you might have rotted in a dungeon, and never seen the light of
the sun again. - Now, Sir, take my word for it, although our constitution
screens us from such oppression, we want not laws to chastise the authors of
seditious discourse; and if I hear another syllable out of your mouth, in
contempt or prejudice of this kingdom, I will give you a convincing proof of
what I advance, and have you laid by the heels for your presumption.« - This
declaration had an effect on the company, as sudden as surprizing. - The young
prince became supple as a spaniel, the ambassador trembled, the general sat
silent and abashed, and the doctor, who, it seems, had felt the rod of power,
grew pale as death, and assured us all, that he had no intention to affront any
person or people. - »Your principles, doctor, (resumed the old gentleman) are no
secret - I have nothing to say upon that head; but am very much surprized, that
a man who despises us so much, should notwithstanding live among us, when he has
no visible motive for so doing. - Why don't you take up your habitation in your
beloved France, where you may rail at England without censure?« - To this the
doctor thought proper to make no reply; and an unsocial silence ensued; which I
perceiving, took notice, that it was pity such idle disputes, maintained very
often for whim or diversion, should create any misunderstanding among gentlemen
of good sense; and proposed to drink down all animosity in another bottle. -
This motion was applauded by the whole company: The wine was brought, and the
English champion declaring he had no spleen against any man for differing in
opinion from him, any more than for difference of complexion, drank to the good
health of all present; the compliment was returned, and the conversation once
more became unreserved, though more general than before. - Among other topicks,
the subject of war was introduced, on which the general declaimed with great
eloquence, recounting many of his own exploits by way of illustration. - In the
course of his harrangue he happened to mention the word epaulement, upon which
the testy gentleman asked the meaning of that term. - »I'll tell you what an
epaulement is, (replied he) - I never saw an epaulement but once - and that was
at the siege of Namur - in a council of war,
