d to set matters right, and prevent any further
repetition of unseemly conduct. The way he did so is worthy of note.
He took a pen, dipped it in the ink, and then, spreading his elbows
out as one in great authority, and duly impressed with the dignity of
the situation, wrote these words on a sheet of paper, which had the
royal arms in the centre, his tongue meanwhile seeming to imitate the
motion of his pen: "I have had my eye on you for a long time past,
and if I see you laugh again I will send you to prison. Be warned in
time."

"Just hand that," said he, giving it to a javelin-man, "to the
gentleman there in the _green blouse_ and red hair."

The paper was stuck into the slit of the tapering fishing-rod-like
instrument, and placed under the nose of the man who had been
laughing. It was some time before he could believe his eyes, but
a thrust or two of the stick acted like a pair of spectacles, and
convinced him it was intended for his perusal. The effect was
instantaneous, and he handed the document to his wife. It was
interesting to watch the face of Toole, suffused with good-humour
and yet preserving its elastic dignity, in contrast with that of
the farmer, which was almost white with terror as they interchanged
furtive glances for the next half-hour. However, it all ended happily,
for the man never laughed again. Toole was invited to dine at the
Judge's dinner, but being himself on circuit, and not at liberty till
_eleven_, when he took supper, an invitation to "look in" was accepted
instead, if it were not too late.

After supper he accordingly went for his "look in," and arriving at
half-past eleven, was in time for dinner, which did not take place
till half-past twelve, the court having adjourned at 12.15. However,
we spent a very pleasant evening, Toole telling the story of his going
to see Hawkins in the Tichborne trial related elsewhere, and Sir Henry
that of the Queen refusing once upon a time to accept a box at Drury
Lane Theatre while E.T. Smith was lessee, which made Smith so angry
that he could hardly bring himself to propose her Majesty's health
at a dinner that same evening at Drury Lane. Nothing but his loyalty
prevented his resenting it in a suitable and dignified manner. When
one sovereign is affronted by another, the only thing is to consider
their respective _commercial_ values, for that, as a rule, is the test
of all things in a commercial world. But the sequel was that E.T.
said, "_Although