cribed whose
full make, too, by no means diminished his breadth. A kind of shawl
crossed his neck, or rather bosom, for his neck, was bare, in a style
as if arranged by the hand of a female; and underneath of which peeped
two corners of his shirt. His features were of that kind, that
carried precisely the expression of those of a masculine woman; and
when he spoke, it was a perfect puzzle to the stranger, to know
whether he heard the voice of a man or a woman.

The creature himself (as if conscious of those singularities) affected
a superior degree of manliness. Swaggered around the room, his hat
half pulled over his brows, and slouched a little on one side;
assuming the scowling look of a bully, and at times the flashy air of
a gallant.

He had a wife; and, as if that was not enough for any man, likewise
had a mistress; and, to show that he was a professed admirer of the
kind of Eve, took hold of his mistress when he entered with one hand,
and waving the other above his head, sung "My love is like the red,
red rose," in a voice at once powerful and sweet. Then taking her upon
his knee struck up "the light, the light guitar," in a style so
exquisitely musical and rich, as fairly to disturb the card-table, and
draw form the whole company a thundering round of applause, with
"Bravo, Bill!"

He appeared to be a creature of great spirit and vivacity, dashed
about, throwing himself into pugilistic attitudes, and striking out,
right and left, at his cronies, in sportive play, using at the same
time the true slang of low, blackguard life; as, with great emphasis,
"I'll ---- into you, your ---- pall!" with a vast deal more of such
high-toned language so appropriate for the gallant of a cadging
house.[1] He fell a capering, singing all the while with great
animation, and beating time most elegantly with heel and toe, and
giving vent to the fulness of his spirits in shouts, as "He hows,"
"the Cadger Lad," "A roving life for me," &c.; and, catching hold of
his wench again, thrust his hand into his bosom--pulled out a handful
of silver; swore, bravadoed,--squirted tobacco juice in the grate, and
boasted of always being able to earn his ten shillings a day, and
thought nothing of picking up a guinea in the same time at a race or
fair.[2]

[Footnote 1: See Glossary at end.]

[Footnote 2: This portrait, with the whole of the work, was written,
and given to the publisher of one of the first magazines of the day,
in November 183