"Once more--by the laws of our country, the receiver is as bad as the thief, and they who instigate others to commit an offence are equally guilty with the offending party." "It cannot be denied," replied Debriseau. "Then you have acceded to all the propositions that I wish, and we shall come to an undeniable and mathematical conclusion. Observe, law-makers should not be law-breakers. Who enacted these laws?--the aristocracy of the nation, seated in their respective houses, the Lords and the Commons. Go, any night you please, to the Opera, or any other place of public resort, in which you can have a view of their wives and daughter. I'll stake my existence that every female there shall be disened out in some contraband article of dress--not one but shall prove to be a receiver of smuggled goods, and, therefore, as bad as those whom they have instigated to _infringe_ the laws of their country. If there were no demand there would be no supply." "Surely they don't _all_ drink gin?" replied Debriseau. "Drink gin! You're thinking of your damned Cherbourg trade,--your ideas are confined. Is there nothing smuggled besides gin? Now, if the husbands and fathers of these ladies,--those who have themselves enacted the laws,--wink at their _infringement_, why should not others do so? The only distinction between the equally offending parties is, that those who are in power,--who possess all the comforts and luxuries which this world can afford,--who offend the laws from vanity and caprice, and entice the needy to administer to their love of display, are protected and unpunished; while the adventurous seaman, whose means of supporting his family depend upon his administering to their wishes, or the poor devil who is unfortunately detected with a gallon of spirits, is thrown into gaol as if he were a _felon_. There cannot be one law for the rich and another for the poor, Debriseau. When I hear that the wives of the aristocracy have been seized by the revenue officers, and the contraband articles which they wear have been taken off their backs, and that they have been sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, by a committal from the magistrate, then--and not till then--will I acknowledge our profession to be _dishonest_." "Very true," said Debriseau; "it shows the folly of men attempting to make laws for their _masters_."