Part 52 (2/2)

At Hyde-Park Corner, Tom having appointed to take up the prime hammer-man, drew up, and was instantly greeted by a welcome from the expected party, who being as quickly seated, they proceeded on their journey.

”This match appears to occupy general attention,” said Tom.

”I should think so,” was the reply--”why it will be a prime thing as ever was seen. Betting is all alive--the Daffy Club in tip-top spirits--lots of money sported on both sides--somebody must make a mull{1}--but Randall's the man--he is the favourite of the day, all the world to a penny-roll.”

The simile of the penny roll being quite in point with the known t.i.tle of one of the combatants, caused a smile on Dashall's countenance, which was caught by the eye of Tallyho, and created some mirth, as it was a proof of what has frequently been witnessed, that the lovers of the fancy are as apt in their imaginations at times, as they are ready for the accommodating one, two, or the friendly flush hit which floors their opponents.

The morning was fine, and the numerous persons who appeared travelling on the road called forth many inquiries from Bob.

”Now,” said he, ”I think I recollect that the admirable author of the _Sentimental Journey_ used to read as he went along--is it possible to read as we journey forward?” ”Doubtless,” replied Tom, ”it is, and will produce

1 Mull--Defeat, loss, or disappointment.

~395~~ a fund of amusing speculation as we jog on. Lavater founded his judgment of men upon the formation of their features; Gall and Spurzheim by the lumps, b.u.mps and cavities of their pericraniums; but I doubt not we shall be right in our views of the society we are likely to meet, without the help of either--do you see that group?”

Bob nodded a.s.sent.

”These,” continued Tom, ”are profitable characters, or rather men of profit, who, kindly considering the const.i.tution of their friends, provide themselves with refreshments of various kinds, to supply the hungry visitors round the ring--oranges, nuts, apples, gingerbread, biscuits and peppermint drops.”

”Not forgetting _blue ruin and French lace_,”{1} said the man of fist; ”but you have only half done it--don't you see the _Cash-cove_{2} behind, with his stick across his shoulder, _padding the hoof_{3} in breathless speed? he has _sh.e.l.l'd out the lour_{4} for the occasion, and is travelling down to keep a _wakeful winker_{5} on his retailers, and to take care that however they may chuse to lush away the profit, they shall at least take care of the princ.i.p.al. The little Dandy just before him also acts as Whipper-in; between them they mark out the ground,{6} watch the progress, and pocket the proceeds. They lend the money for the others to traffic.”

”I confess,” said Tom, ”I was not exactly up to this.”

”Aye, aye, but I know the _Blunt-monger_,{7} and am up to his ways and means,” was the reply.--”Hallo, my eyes, here he comes!” continued he, rising from his seat, and bowing obsequiously to a Gentleman who pa.s.sed them in a tandem--”all right, I am glad of it--always good sport when he is present--no want of sauce or seasoning--he always _comes it strong_.”{8}

”I perceive,” replied Tom, ”you allude to the n.o.ble Marquis of W------.”

1 French lace--A flash or cant term for brandy.

2 Cash-cove--A monied man.

3 Padding the hoof--Travelling on Shanks's mare, or taking a turn by the marrow-bone stage, i.e. walking.

4 Sh.e.l.l'd out the lour--Supplied the cash.

5 Wakeful winker--A sharp eye.

6 Mark out the ground--Is to place his retailers in various parts of the Ring for the accommodation of the company, any where he may expect to find them himself.

7 Blunt-monger--Money-dealer, or money-lender.

8 Comes it strong--No flincher, a real good one.

~396~~ Travelling gently along the road, they were presently impeded by a crowd of persons who surrounded a long cart or waggon, which had just been overturned, and had shot out a motley group of personages, who were being lifted on their legs, growling and howling at this unforeseen disaster. A hard-featured sailor, whose leg had been broken by the fall, brandished a splinter of the fractured limb, and swore--”That although his timbers were s.h.i.+vered, and he had lost a leg in the service, he would not be the last in the Ring, but he'd be d------d if he mount the rubbish-cart any more.” It is needless to observe his leg was a wooden one.

Upon examining the inscription on the cart, it was found to contain the following words:--”Household Furniture, Building Materials, and Lumber carefully removed.” As it was ascertained that no real injury had been sustained, our party speedily pa.s.sed the overturned vehicle and proceeded.

The next object of attraction was a small cart drawn by one poor animal, sweating and snorting under the weight of six Swells, led by an old man, who seemed almost as incapable as his horse seemed unwilling to perform the journey. A label on the outside of the cart intimated that its contents was soap, which created some laughter between Tom and Bob. The man in the front, whose Jew-looking appearance attracted attention, was endeavouring to increase the speed of the conveyance by belabouring the boney rump of the _prad_{1} with his hat, while some of their pedestrian _palls_{2} were following close in the rear, and taking occasionally a _drap of the cratur_, which was handed out behind and returned after refreshment.

”These,” said Tom to his Cousin, ”are also men of profit, but not exactly in the way of those we pa.s.sed--second-rate Swells and broken-down Gamesters, determined, as the saying is, to have a shy, even if they lose their sticks, and more properly may be termed men of plunder; desperate in their pursuits, they turn out with intent to make the best of the day, and will not fail to nibble all they can come easily at.”

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