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that is to say, a circle of gentlemen with drawn rapiers would surround
a poor wretch, so that it was impossible for him not to turn his back
upon some one. The gentleman behind him chastised him for this by a
prick of his sword, which made him spring round; another prick in the
back warned the fellow that one of noble blood was behind him, and so
on, each one wounding him in his turn. When the man, closed round by the
circle of swords and covered with blood, had turned and danced about
enough, they ordered their servants to beat him with sticks, to change
the course of his ideas. Others "hit the lion"--that is, they gaily
stopped a passenger, broke his nose with a blow of the fist, and then
shoved both thumbs into his eyes. If his eyes were gouged out, he was
paid for them.
Such were, towards the beginning of the eighteenth century, the pastimes
of the rich idlers of London. The idlers of Paris had theirs. M. de
Charolais was firing his gun at a citizen standing on his own threshold.
In all times youth has had its amusements.
Lord David Dirry-Moir brought into all these institutions his
magnificent and liberal spirit. Just like any one else, he would gaily
set fire to a cot of woodwork and thatch, and just scorch those within;
but he would rebuild their houses in stone. He insulted two ladies. One
was unmarried--he gave her a portion; the other was married--he had her
husband appointed chaplain.
Cockfighting owed him some praiseworthy improvements. It was marvellous
to see Lord David dress a cock for the pit. Cocks lay hold of each other
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