but that a
youth of an aspiring mind should be up to all the manouvres of a race
course--understanding betting, hedging off, crossing and jostling,
sweating and training--know all the jockeys--how to give or take the
odds--lay it on thick, and come it strong. Some have an unconquerable
ambition to distinguish themselves as a whip, sport their tits in tip
top style, and become proficients in buckish and sporting slang--to
pitch it rum, and astonish the natives--up to the gab of the cad. They
take upon themselves the dress and manners of the Varment Club, yet
noted for the appearance of their prads, and the dexterity with which
they can manage the ribbons, and, like Goldfinch, pride themselves on
driving the long coaches--'mount the box, tip coachee a crown, dash
along at full speed, rattle down the gateway, take care of your
heads--never kill'd but one woman and a child in all my life--that's
your sort.'"

"Fine pictures of a University Education," said Tom, "but Sparkle always
was a good delineator of real character; and there is one thing to be
said, he has been an eye witness of the facts, nay a partaker of the
sports."

"True," continued Sparkle, "and, like many others, have had something
like enjoyment in them too."

"Aye, aye, no doubt of that," said Bob, dryly,--"but how does it happen
that you have omitted Oxford altogether?"

~~339~~~ "Nay," said Sparkle, "there is not much difference in any of
them. The students hate all learning but that which they acquire in the
brothel, the ring, or the stable.

They spend their terms somehow or other in or near the University, and
their vacations at Jackson's Rooms in London; so that they know nothing
more of mathematics than sufficient to calculate odds and chances. This,
however, depends upon the wealth of the parties; for notwithstanding
there are some excellent statutes by which they ought to be guided,
a nobleman or wealthy commoner is indulged according to his titles or
riches, without any regard to the rules and regulations in such cases
made and provided.

"From this situation they are at length let loose, thoroughly
accomplished in every thing but what they ought to know. Some make their
appearance as exquisites or dandies--a sort of indescribable being, if
being such things may be called. Others take the example of the bang
ups--make themselves perfect in milling, swearing, greeking, talking
flash, and mail coach driving, until John Doe and Richard Roe dri