nced sense of justice, the tailor's foreman is,
I think, more patient, more admiring, more demonstrative in his
assurances, more ready with his bit of chalk, when handling the knee of
the man who doesn't like the work, than he ever is with the customer who
comes to him simply because he wants some clothes fit for the saddle.
The judicious conciliating tradesman knows that compensation should
be given, and he helps to give it. But the visits to the bootmaker
are better still. The tailor persists in telling his customer how his
breeches should be made, and after what fashion they should be worn;
but the bootmaker will take his orders meekly. If not ruffled by paltry
objections as to the fit of the foot, he will accede to any amount of
instructions as to the legs and tops. And then a new pair of top boots
is a pretty toy; Costly, perhaps, if needed only as a toy, but very
pretty, and more decorative in a gentleman's dressing-room than
any other kind of garment. And top boots, when multiplied in such
a locality, when seen in a phalanx tell such pleasant lies on their
owner's behalf. While your breeches are as dumb in their retirement as
though you had not paid for them, your conspicuous boots are eloquent
with a thousand tongues! There is pleasure found, no doubt, in this.

As the season draws nigh the delights become vague, and still more
vague; but, nevertheless, there are delights. Getting up at six o'clock
in November to go down to Bletchley by an early train is not in itself
pleasant, but on the opening morning, on the few first opening mornings,
there is a promise about the thing which invigorates and encourages the
early riser. He means to like it this year if he can. He has still some
undefined notion that his period of pleasure will now come. He has not,
as yet, accepted the adverse verdict which his own nature has given
against him in this matter of hunting, and he gets into his early
tub with acme glow of satisfaction. And afterwards it is nice to find
himself bright with mahogany tops, buff-tinted breeches, and a pink
coat. The ordinary habiliments of an English gentleman are so sombre
that his own eye is gratified, and he feels that he has placed himself
in the vanguard of society by thus shining in his apparel. And he will
ride this year! He is fixed to that purpose. He will ride straight; and,
if possible, he will like it.

But the Ethiop cannot change his skin, nor can any man add a cubit to
his stature. He