I was so enraged at seeing this rascal bedecked in my finery, that it was with some difficulty I could restrain myself from running him through with my sword; but as his good luck would have it, or perhaps mine rather, my more reasonable thoughts prevented me. “Softly,” said I to myself, “be not too hasty: let the gaol-bird live, and he may then possibly pay his debts; but if you kill him you will certainly be as much the sufferer as he. Besides those young fellows that are standing by him will of course take his part; and even if they should not interfere, remember that he has the reputation of a bully, and you may not have fair play. At all events, instead of plaintiff, you would become defendant.” Having thus fully convinced myself of the folly of exposing myself by such an action, which would have made my journey fruitless at least, if not fatal; I returned to the inn, and asked my landlord if he could recommend me an experienced lawyer. He answered in the affirmative, and immediately sent for one who lived in the neighbourhood, and who, considering his profession, was a tolerably honest man. I first inquired of this gentleman, whether he knew one Alexander Bentivoglio, son of a solicitor of the same name? He replied, “that there were very few who did not know both father and son.” I then asked, “if he was any relation or friend to them?” “No, thank God!” answered he with some haste; “I should be very sorry to have any such relations or friends.” After these two questions, which I thought prudent and necessary, I told him the particulars of the loss of my trunks. He listened to me with the utmost _sang-froid_, and did not seem in the least surprised. He even owned to me, that in Bologna, they were quite used to hear such adventures of master Alexander, who frequently played similar games. I am by no means certain, however, continued he, even though you commence an action against him, that you will be at all the better for it. You will have to deal with a formidable opponent in his father, who has put himself above the laws by the wickedness of his disposition, and rendered himself terrible to all the inhabitants of this city, who dread him as much as fire. The best advice I can give you, is to have a conversation with this father of his, who, perhaps, may rather choose to come to terms with you, than suffer such a piece of villainy to be made public. This is the only probable way to recover any part of the property you have lost. I answered, “that I was of the same opinion; for, besides the dislike I had for law-suits, I considered that I should not get much by prosecuting a thief, and particularly one who happened to be the son of a man of such a character. I therefore requested him to call upon the father himself; but, as I found he did not wish to have any thing to do in an affair disagreeable to counsellor Bentivoglio, I promised him a good reward for his trouble in case of success.” He could