If he were really not in the habit of drinking rather more than was exactly good for him, he might have brought action against his countenance for libel, and have recovered heavy damages.
The old gentleman bowed respectfully; and advancing to the magistrate's desk, said, suiting the action to the word, 'That is my name and address, sir.' He then withdrew a pace or two; and, with another polite and gentlemanly inclination of the head, waited to be questioned.
Now, it so happened that Mr.Fang was at that moment perusing a leading article in a newspaper of the morning, adverting to some recent decision of his, and commending him, for the three hundred and fiftieth time, to the special and particular notice of the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

He was out of temper; and he looked up with an angry scowl.
'Who are you ?' said Mr.Fang.
The old gentleman pointed, with some surprise, to his card.
'Officer!' said Mr.Fang, tossing the card contemptuously away with the newspaper.

'Who is this fellow ?' 'My name, sir,' said the old gentleman, speaking _like_ a gentleman, 'my name, sir, is Brownlow.

Permit me to inquire the name of the magistrate who offers a gratuitous and unprovoked insult to a respectable person, under the protection of the bench.' Saying this, Mr.Brownlow looked around the office as if in search of some person who would afford him the required information.
'Officer!' said Mr.Fang, throwing the paper on one side, 'what's this fellow charged with ?' 'He's not charged at all, your worship,' replied the officer.

'He appears against this boy, your worship.' His worship knew this perfectly well; but it was a good annoyance, and a safe one.
'Appears against the boy, does he ?' said Mr.Fang, surveying Mr.
Brownlow contemptuously from head to foot.