The Sun. — 1837-10-14 (London, England)

BLACK MONDAY.  Pettelin—This is the third time I'm put upon this bench. To think that I can't correct myself—that it should be too much for me : come, there must be an end put to this. President—You are accused of theft and assault.  No wonder, Sir, no wonder at all. If you were to say to me, " Pettelin, you've murdered father, mother, sister, and brother, and thrown your aunt and cousin out of the window," I could believe you. I'm capable of anything. I know I am a thorough scamp. You seem to be a sad fellow, indeed, according to your own account.  Not when I'm sober ; oh, no ; then I'm as fair a lad as any going ; not susceptible of stealing a hair from the cat's whiskers. But when I drink, oh, then it's all up with me ; then I'm as arrant a blackguard as ever was whipped. But, my good man, if you are so well aware of the danger of intemperance, how come you ever to give way to it?  It's a weakness of mine. You see, the fact is, on a Monday one goes to the barriere, one meets a friend, and one must drink. Now drinking makes a man thirsty, and then he must quench his thirst. The next thing is, he gets walla and then he's done for. I've been done twice before in the same way. This is my third offence. Don't spare me. Inflict some serious punishment, and perhaps I may correct myself. Lay it on well, that I mayn't forget it in a hurry. The first time you were cond !mned to three months' imprisonment, for a violtnt assault on the agents of fie public force ?  I dare say it was so ; it was on a Monday, I know. murdc'red a poor gendarme. I'm sure, I wonder he did, die of it.  Another time you were fifteen days in prison for having danced in an indecent manner at a public ball ? Monday again ! I want a warning—pray let me have one.  To-day you are accused of stealing a cap from a drunken man, who was lying by the 10 :chide ? It was a Monday ; oh ! that day's the ruin of me. Will you oblige ma by letting my witnesses be examined. Here's an officer who saw me commit the crime. He'll say enough to entitle me to my condemnation. Officer, come forward, and tell the truth, and the whole truth.  Municipal Officer—l profess to do so on oath. I was passing about widni;ht, on Monday last, through the rue d'Enter, when two steps before me I saw a man in the gutter, snoring like a bassoon. Well, I went up to him, intending to transfer bier to thu guardhouse, when I saw another man coming along—Pcttelin, whom you see before you.  Pettel:n—Aye, that's right. Municipal Officer—He stooped, took up the rnan's cap, and ran off with it.  Pettelin—Bravo! Municipal Officer—l arrested the criminal, and the co, pus delicti was found in his hand. Pettalin—Capitai Didn t I tell you so ? Municipal Officer—To tell the truth, liovver, the this was almost as far gone as the other. Pettelin has beel denounced to me as an honest industrious workman. W  all know that a man-is liable to forget himself when undo; a spiritual influence. A man but a man ; and when his hemi is plunged into those sort of things— Pottelin—Stop, stop! \Vhat are you at now ? President, I hope you have heard enough. I'm an honest man now, hut I shall become a rogue if I go on as I have done. So say the word, and don't spare the road and spoil the child.  President—lf you are sincere in your determination to correct yourself you will have abundant time for reflection. The tribunal sentences you to six months' imprisonment. Pettelin—ls that all ? I shall be brought to the scaffold at last. Let it be a year, Sir ; pray do. President—The tribunal cannot alter its decision.  Petelin—Then I shall appeal against you—me if I don'