LAXITY OF CONTRIBUTORS. 
313 
able to feed on their return — mirabile dictu, must be in rude 
health. Of course, my friend ; but we have already written the 
other word four or five times — I need not repeat it. However, 
some unusual exertion is required of both : suppose they trot on 
a sporting expedition to see Mr. Scott’s crack take his pre- 
liminary canter. Aldermen have been known to do such things: 
our friend has done so. The course is reached, his friends in 
the carriage have a basket of champagne. Veal pie and sherry 
has done its work. The cob has eaten a little dusty hay and 
imbibed a bucket of water. Exciting scene — hot work — dusty 
roads. Cob with his head and tail up — not to be done by a 
cab-horse — no : nor our friend Greenfat by the cabbie ; never- 
theless, they were both done ; and — including the sweat from 
the long unpractised pores of their skins, plus the sun, plus 
the dust — let us add the word brown . Now I can write it — - 
would we could add “ condition /” 
Chapter the last . 
It is the next morning. The physician and the veterinary 
surgeon have each received a note requesting their attendance 
in Bloomsbury. 
Veterinary surgeon. — Well, groom; his nose is in the manger 
certainly; and what! why here’s half a peck of corn. Grooms, 
sir, always know best, of course. John here has some excellent 
receipts, which he had from a clever farrier afore he came up. 
Bless you, he would not shew ’em, not for a trifle ; they are 
carefully locked up, like the secretions of the cob, lest the 
veterinary surgeon should see them. Nevertheless, the surgeon 
does see the hot and filled legs, the cracked heels, and the 
pelletty dung ; desires John to take the corn out of his 
manger, and the hot dung out of his feet; for that restless 
propping shews a head is rather the thing just now and not the 
receipts. Will you have the goodness to step into the library, 
sir 1 Dr. Beevor has seen Mr. Greenfat, and wishes to speak 
with you. The surgeon politely complies (this I write because 
1 feel it is as it should be). The Veterinarian has written 
on this head a few numbers back. Have the kindness to take 
a chair. “ How do you find Mr. Greenfat, doctor V’ “ I am 
sorry to say he is far from well ; his secretions locked up, his 
stomach very irritable, and acute pain in his right toe.” — 
“ Indeed, sir ! ! ! That’s exactly the case with my patient.” 
A mutual interest is awakened : “ The fact is,” says the phy- 
sician, rising from his chair, as though he said something most 
important, “ the alderman was never fit to go” 
