THE LAST OF THE PIG-TAILS. 189 



must be infinitely inferior to this of Sagg's, for while Carte's, from 

 its size, is so bulky as to require to be laid in some convenient place, 

 this of Sagg's could be carried without any inconvenience — nay, 

 even might become an ornament to the person ; and the flattering 

 testimonials which he received from the Admiralty board respecting 

 his invention and its efficiency, at present in the Sagg family, plainly 

 shew that at that time, those admiralty wise-acres did not under-rate 

 its value. 



When Richard had finished this work, which gained him so much 

 celebrity, he felt within himself that his own destiny and that of 

 mankind generally was connected with pig-tails. When men have 

 been working up hill for some time, how refreshing it is to turn round 

 and view the road they have toiled over, and when Richard had done 

 this, and in his own mind had balanced his accounts and found them 

 Satisfactory, he urged on his hobby with greater speed, and finding 

 he was now on the road to fame and fortune, many, very many were 

 ready to help him on who had at first looked coldly on his projects ; 

 His business had now increased and the judicious matrons, with 

 marriageable daughters had already marked him down as a valuable 

 acquisition to any family. Nothing was more natural than that matrons 

 should hint to him, that he ought to think about settling himself for 

 life, by selecting a suitable partner to share his joys, and nothing 

 more natural, that many of the marriageable ladies should wish to 

 possess him. Judicious matrons have many ways of making matches, 

 but the best, the very best is by giving family parties, to suitable 

 men, and, therefore, invitations to domestic parties, balls, routes, &c„ 

 were poured in upon Richard, and he now, short of being married, 

 was the happiest mortal alive, his whole time being spent, when his 

 business allowed him, which in justice to him we must say he never 

 neglected, between embellishing his queue and the society of the 

 ladies. The increase of his practice and other things had now 

 rendered him so popular, that if any fell ill, they were advised to "go 

 to Richard Sagg." All persons recommended him and he so mono- 

 polized the practice of the town that he was obliged to take a partner 

 and the firm of Sagg & Co., was the chief of the neighbourhood and 

 hence arose the term of " Go to Dickey Sagg." 



He now had more time on his hands and this spare time was prin- 

 cipally devoted to the one absorbing idea, the improving of his head 



