48 JOHN BAYNTON STARKEY, ESQ. 



pleasures, let the would-be borrower go to his own or 

 some other banker. Never mind how unpleasant it 

 may be to hear a homily from a crotchety old fellow 

 on the value of money, and the certain ruin attending 

 dissipation ; but pocket the affront with the money, 

 and make the latter last as long as it will, rather than 

 risk being in the power of those who live for nothing 

 beyond adding to their miserable store by the destruc- 

 tion of their fellow-beings. 



But I must have done with moralizing. My readers 

 will be better pleased if I can give them a few personal 

 reminiscences of a remarkable, if unwise, character. 

 His very dress ' proclaimed the man.' It was scarcely 

 neat enough to deserve the epithet of ' horsey,' if it 

 aspired to that description. Imagine a drab-coloured 

 frock-coat of coarse fabric, a very long waistcoat, 

 breeches and gaiters of the same material, or long 

 black boots with hunting-spurs, the whole shadowed 

 by a billycock hat in excellent keeping to dwarf his 

 diminutive figure, which was nearly as broad as long. 

 Apparelled thus like a groom, he always for com- 

 panionship carried a large hunting-whip with a big 

 lash. For economy's sake he travelled to the different 

 places he wished to visit on a black cob, something 

 like an ancient pack-horse, as he took his wardrobe 

 with him, not a very extensive or valuable affair, in 

 saddle-bags fastened across the saddle, making with 

 his own weight some sixteen stone — a burden not 

 inconsiderable, if insufficient to bring him under 



