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less, overlapping brown corded breeches, that ad- 

 here to his person without the aid of braces, by- 

 some chemical affinity as yet miknown to philoso- 

 phy, bears the marks of annual migration from the 

 stable yard to Newgate, and back again to summer 

 quarters at Epsom or Newmarket; — boots, that 

 once had tops, approach wdthin six inches of the 

 knee, disclosing stockings that once were white. 

 A third, of more aspiring pretensions, struts in the 

 cast-off green frock and tight leathers of Sir John's 

 whipper-in ; a withered nosegay in his button-hole, 

 and a dusky, tattered belcher round his neck. 

 Patched stable-jackets, rough great coats, and 

 here and there a butcher's or a farrier's apron, 

 denote more or less, the wearer's habitual pursuit ; 

 but all are alike marked by certain characteristics 

 of the sporting tribe ; — one hand is employed in 

 sounding the emptiness of the coat or breeches 

 pocket, while the other, armed with a whip or 

 small ash switch, sometimes applies it to the 

 owner's boot, or horse's flank, and at others, 

 presses it in profound meditation, against the lips 

 or forehead ; a spur of formidable length, adorns 

 one heel ; and all without exception, have the hat 

 elevated, with a demi-cock, and the two lowest 

 buttons of the coat or waistcoat unbuttoned. Such 

 are your competitors at every horse-sale : now and 



