It is useless to assert such trash to sensible, well-informed people, Here is an opportunity, such as most of you may possibly never have again, of buying a most delightful and effectual medicine, sweet, not nauseous (strongly reminding one of cherry-brandy), gently exhilarating, and very difficult to be procured; indeed, I have only three small doses of it--three, did I say?
I'm afraid I have only two--let me see--Oh, yes, here are three; and the price is merely nominal--" The extreme frankness and moderation of this harangue of course met with great success; and purchasers speedily bought, not only his three pink bottles, but his green ones, his blue ones, his pills, his pomades, and his perfumed medicinal soaps that were to soften the skin, strengthen the joints, and promote longevity.

After this, he sang a comic song of innumerable verses (with horn obligato) and delivered a discourse, in which he said there had never been more than three great men in the world, Louis the Fourteenth, Alexander the Great, and Hippocrates, the father of physic.
It was surprising to me how he carried on this game hour after hour, apparently without fatigue, and always to the delight of his audience, new-comers continually pressing around him, and old ones lingering in the distance with broad smiles on their faces.

A little of it was well enough, but I thought that to be always at it must be harder work than the hardest handywork trade I knew.

At last the day closed in, the people departed, we supplied ourselves with food, and departed like the rest.
"Now, then, have I not come off with flying colors ?" said La Croissette, complacently.
"Assuredly you have: but you must be very tired." "Tired as can be--you know I had no sleep last night--we are coming to a little thicket where we will roost for the night." We had scarcely drawn up under the trees, which were thinning of leaves, when we heard a distant hollow sound gradually growing louder as it approached.

"The dragoons," said La Croissette, in a low voice.