t the artillery of his accomplishments, should
he once find an opportunity of planting it to advantage. He presented
himself, however, at all the spectacles for many weeks, without reaping
the fruits of his expectation; and began to entertain a very indifferent
idea of the French discernment, which had overlooked him so long,
when one day, in his way to the opera, his chariot was stopped by an
embarrass in the street, occasioned by two peasants, who having driven
their carts against each other, quarrelled, and went to loggerheads on
the spot. Such a rencounter is so uncommon in France, that the people
shut up their shops, and from their windows threw cold water upon the
combatants, with a view of putting an end to the battle, which was
maintained with great fury, and very little skill, until one of them
receiving an accidental fall, the other took the advantage of this
misfortune, and, fastening upon him, as he lay, began to thump the
pavement with his head.

Our hero's equipage being detained close by the field of this
contention, Pipes could not bear to see the laws of boxing so
scandalously transgressed, and, leaping from his station, pulled the
offender from his antagonist, whom he raised up, and in the English
language encouraged to a second essay, instructing him at the same time
by clenching his fists according to art, and putting himself in a proper
attitude. Thus confirmed, the enraged carman sprang upon his foe, and
in all appearance would have effectually revenged the injury he had
sustained, if he had not been prevented by the interposition of a
lacquey belonging to a nobleman, whose coach was obliged to halt in
consequence of the dispute. This footman, who was distinguished by
a cane, descending from his post, without the least ceremony or
expostulation, began to employ his weapon upon the head and shoulders
of the peasant who had been patronized by Pipes; upon which, Thomas,
resenting such ungenerous behaviour, bestowed such a stomacher upon
the officious intermeddler, as discomposed the whole economy of his
entrails, and obliged him to discharge the interjection Ah! with
demonstrations of great anguish and amazement. The other two footmen
who stood behind the coach, seeing their fellow-servant so insolently
assaulted, flew to his assistance, and rallied a most disagreeable
shower upon the head of his aggressor, who had no means of diversion or
defence.

Peregrine, though he did not approve of Tom's cond