Ciuo Copcrsi. 79 



known and popular auctioneer mounted the rostrum. 

 In the gallery were a few ladies and the more in- 

 fluential patrons of the yard, whilst below a medley 

 throng jostled and squeezed one another against the 

 wooden hand-rail to catch a glimpse of each suc- 

 ceeding lot as it was run up the straw ride to meet 

 its fate. Here was a parson who had brought a cob 

 to dispose of, whose market value was perhaps 12 

 guineas, and whose description took up nearly a 

 quarter of the catalogue ; there a noble lord with a 

 small conservatory in his button-hole, and farmers 

 and dealers galore, as well as the usual contingent 

 of horsey hangers on, who will beg anything from 

 a pipe of tobacco upwards, and whose only apparent 

 honest means of livelihood is leading a horse to or from 

 the station, on the occasion of these bi-monthly sales. 

 But whilst I am running riot the horses are being 

 rapidly disposed of, and at length to the bid of Mr. 

 B. the good-looking "Harkaway" is knocked down 

 for 45 guineas, and a very cheap horse he is, and 

 Mr. B. evidently thinks so, too, as is denoted b}^ his 

 self-satisfied expression, which only gives place to 

 one of greater gravity when, a little later on, he is 

 somewhat jocularly nudged in the ribs by young 

 W., who, as usual, on business bent, thus accosts 

 him : " Well, old boy, you've got a cheap 'un, anyhow ; 

 shell out your fiver." 



