The English | Page 5

at all."
We walked on talking about literature, manners, and so forth, in an
aimless way. All at once, as we approached Buckingham House, I saw
five or six persons, relieving nature amidst the bushes, with their hinder
parts facing the passers-by. I thought this a disgusting piece of
indecency, and said as much to Martinelli, adding that the impudent
rascals might at least turn their faces towards the path.
"Not at all," he exclaimed, "for then they might be recognized; whereas
in exposing their posteriors they run no such risk; besides the sight

makes squeamish persons turn away."
"You are right, but you will confess that the whole thing strikes a
stranger as very revolting."
"Yes, there is nothing so ineradicable as national prejudice. You may
have noticed that when an Englishman wants to ease his sluices in the
street, he doesn't run up an alley or turn to the wall like we do."
"Yes, I have noticed them turning towards the middle of the street, but
if they thus escape the notice of the people in the shops and on the
pavement they are seen by everybody who is driving in a carriage, and
that is as bad."
"The people in the carriages need not look."
"That is true"
We walked on to the Green Park, and met Lord Pembroke on horseback.
He stopped and burst into exclamations on seeing me. As I guessed the
cause of his surprise, I hastened to tell him that I was a free man once
more, to my sorrow, and felt lonely amidst my splendour.
"I feel rather curious about it, and perhaps I may come and keep you
company to-day."
We parted, and reckoning on seeing him at dinner I, went back to tell
my cook that dinner was to be served in the large room. Martinelli had
an engagement and could not come to dinner, but he led me out of the
park by a door with which I was not acquainted, and sent me on my
way.
As we were going along we saw a crowd of people who seemed to be
staring at something. Martinelli went up to the crowd, and then
returned to me, saying,--
"That's a curious sight for you; you can enter it amidst your remarks on
English manners."

"What is it?"
"A man at the point of death from a blow he has received in boxing
with another sturdy fellow."
"Cannot anything be done?"
"There is a surgeon there who would bleed him, if he were allowed."
"Who could prevent him?"
"That's the curious part of it. Two men have betted on his death or
recovery. One says, 'I'll bet twenty guineas he dies,' and the other says,
'Done.' Number one will not allow the surgeon to bleed him, for if the
man recovered his twenty guineas would be gone."
"Poor man! what pitiless betters!"
"The English are very strange in their betting proclivities; they bet
about everything. There is a Betting Club to which I will introduce you,
if you like."
"Do they speak French there?"
"Most certainly, for it is composed of men of wit and mark."
"What do they do?"
"They talk and argue, and if one man brings forward a proposition
which another denies, and one backs his opinion, the other has to bet
too, on pain of a fine which goes to the common fund."
"Introduce me to this delightful club, by all means; it will make my
fortune, for I shall always take care to be on the right side."
"You had better be careful; they are wary birds."
"But to return to the dying man; what will be done to his antagonist?"

"His hand will be examined, and if it is found to be just the same as
yours or mine it will be marked, and he will be let go."
"I don't understand that, so kindly explain. How do they recognize a
dangerous hand?"
"If it is found to be marked already, it is a proof that he has killed his
man before and has been marked for it, with the warning, 'Take care
not to kill anyone else, for if you do you will be hanged.'"
"But supposing such a man is attacked?"
"He ought to shew his hand, and then his adversary would let him
alone."
"But if not?"
"Then he is defending himself; and if he kills his man he is acquitted,
provided he can bring witnesses to swear that he was obliged to fight."
"Since fighting with the fist may cause death, I wonder it is allowed."
"It is only allowed for a wager. If the combatants do not put one or
more pieces of money on the ground before the fight, and there is a
death, the man is hanged."
"What laws! What manners!"