ght in our views of the society we are likely to meet,
without the help of either--do you see that group?"

Bob nodded assent.

"These," continued Tom, "are profitable characters, or rather men of
profit, who, kindly considering the constitution of their friends,
provide themselves with refreshments of various kinds, to supply the
hungry visitors round the ring--oranges, nuts, apples, gingerbread,
biscuits and peppermint drops."

"Not forgetting _blue ruin and French lace_,"{1} said the man of fist;
"but you have only half done it--don't you see the _Cash-cove_{2}
behind, with his stick across his shoulder, _padding the hoof_{3} in
breathless speed? he has _shell'd out the lour_{4} for the occasion, and
is travelling down to keep a _wakeful winker_{5} on his retailers, and
to take care that however they may chuse to lush away the profit, they
shall at least take care of the principal. The little Dandy just before
him also acts as Whipper-in; between them they mark out the ground,{6}
watch the progress, and pocket the proceeds. They lend the money for the
others to traffic."

"I confess," said Tom, "I was not exactly up to this."

"Aye, aye, but I know the _Blunt-monger_,{7} and am up to his ways and
means," was the reply.--"Hallo, my eyes, here he comes!" continued he,
rising from his seat, and bowing obsequiously to a Gentleman who passed
them in a tandem--"all right, I am glad of it--always good sport when
he is present--no want of sauce or seasoning--he always _comes it
strong_."{8}

"I perceive," replied Tom, "you allude to the noble Marquis of W------."

1 French lace--A flash or cant term for brandy.

2 Cash-cove--A monied man.

3 Padding the hoof--Travelling on Shanks's mare, or taking
a turn by the marrow-bone stage, i.e. walking.

4 Shell'd out the lour--Supplied the cash.

5 Wakeful winker--A sharp eye.

6 Mark out the ground--Is to place his retailers in various
parts of the Ring for the accommodation of the company, any
where he may expect to find them himself.

7 Blunt-monger--Money-dealer, or money-lender.

8 Comes it strong--No flincher, a real good one.

~396~~ Travelling gently along the road, they were presently impeded by
a crowd of persons who surrounded a long cart or waggon, which had just
been overturned, and had shot out a motley group of personages, who
were being lifted on their legs, growling and howling at this unforese