20 STRANGE COSTUME. 



athwart ships, as the sailors term it, with 

 a cockade and a gold loop in front ; while 

 his nether extremities his limbs being 

 partly enveloped in tattered inexpressibles 

 disdaining any covering corresponded in 

 their hue with his unwashed and half- 

 shaven visage. Round his neck he wore 

 what was intended to represent a massive 

 gold chain, to which was appended an eye- 

 glass, which "ever and anon" he would 

 apply to his organ of vision, although it 

 was evident enough it did not need that 

 assistance, for he had a fine full eye, which 

 might have lit up large and intelligent 

 features, had the organ not been dimmed by 

 perpetual sotting. In his hand he carried 

 an immense stick, or bludgeon, with which 

 he every now and then threatened those 

 who interrupted his discourse, or otherwise 

 offended him by laughter or mockery. 



On my passing him for in my way 

 to the coach I could not avoid so doing 

 he cried out, in a stentorian voice, 



