eventually he saved the judicature and the Tyburn executive much trouble and expense, by hanging himself in Bridewell. The success of Mr. Charles Price has never been surpassed; and even after the darkest era in the history of Bank forgeries--which dates from the suspension of cash payments, in February, 1797--"Old Patch" was still remembered as the Cæsar of Forgers. FOOTNOTES: [20] Bad orthography was by no means uncommon in the most important documents at that period; the days of the week, in the day-books of the Bank of England itself, are spelled in a variety of ways. [21] Francis's History of the Bank of England. THE OLDEST INHABITANT OF THE PLACE DE GREVE. The Police Courts of London have often displayed many a curious character, many a strange scene, many an exquisite bit of dialogue; so have the Police Courts in Ireland, especially at the Petty Sessions in Kilrush; but we are not so well aware of how often a scene of rich and peculiar humor occurs in the Police _tribuneaux_ of Paris. We will proceed to give the reader a "taste of their quality." An extremely old woman, all in rags, was continually found begging in the streets, and the Police having good-naturedly let her off several times, were at last obliged to take her in charge, and bring her into the court. Several magistrates were sitting. The following dialogue took place between the President and the old woman. _President._--Now, my good woman, what have you to say for yourself? You have been frequently warned by the Police, but you have persisted in troubling people with begging. _Old Woman (in a humble, quavering tone)._--Ah, Monsieur le President, it is not so much trouble to other people as it is to me. I am a very old woman. _Pres._--Come, come, you must leave off begging, or I shall be obliged to punish you. _Old W._--But, Monsieur le President, I can not live without--I must beg--pardon me, Monsieur--I am obliged to beg. _Pres._--But I say you must not. Can you do no work? _Old W._--Ah, no, Monsieur; I am too old. _Pres._--Can't you sell something--little cakes--bonbons? _Old W._--No, Monsieur, I can't get any little stock to begin with; and, if I could, I should be robbed by the _gamins_, or the little girls, for I'm not very quick, and can't see well. _Pres._--Your relations must support you, then. You can not be allowed to beg. Have you no son--no daughter--no grandchildren? _Old W._--No, Monsieur; none--none--all my relations are dead. _Pres._--Well then, your friends must give you assistance. _Old W._--Ah, Monsieur, I have no friends; and, indeed, I never had but one, in my life; but he too is gone. _Pres._--And who was he? _Old W._--Monsieur de Robespierre--_le pauvre, cher homme_! (The poor, dear man!) _Pres._--Robespierre!--why what did you know of him?