PICCADILLY 57 



year or two back, elected to the very highest dignity in 

 that enlightened and important body.^ 



Now, that constituency possesses the unenviable distinc- 

 tion of having had its representatives twice unseated 

 for bribery ; besides having had the honour to entertain 

 a commission, that in the fulfilment of their office dis- 

 covered, and made public, unmistakable proofs of long- 

 continued gross and unlawful practices ; an honour, I 

 believe, that a similar corporate body, as nearly allied to 

 the University of Oxford, has never yet reached. 



To proceed : If I were desired to point out that part 

 of my coaching career in which I found most pleasure, or, 

 in plain terms, which road I liked best, I should certainly 

 select the Oxford, as surpassing all others for those 

 qualities which generally attract young men desirous of 

 becoming distinguished in their vocation. 



In the first place, the exit from the metropolis is from 

 the West, or most fashionable end. The " White Horse 

 Cellar," or the " Glo'ster Coffee House," in Piccadilly, 

 would be the point of assembly of the elite of the 

 amateurs, patrons, friends, and acquaintances of each 

 well-known practitioner — who come to criticize their 

 style, examine their team, one by one, survey the drag — 

 and then say a word or t^vo in praise of the whole equip- 

 ment or turn-out. 



There was nothing of this sort at Shoreditch, or Mile 

 End, at the " Elephant and Castle," or the '' Bricklayer's 

 Arms." In its place there was the gape of an indifferent 

 and ignorant multitude, or the slang of the low and 

 vulgar cad. The '' Angel," or " Peacock," at Islington, 

 ^ High Steward of the Borough of Cambridge. 



