s in youth an elegant feature; but, Heaven help
the wearer! it was now grown into such a strange form, and presented
so many choice exuberances, that one might have supposed it was the
original Bardolph's, and charged with the additional sins of every
succeeding generation. The loss of his ~146~~ teeth had caused the other
lip to retire inwards, and consequently the lower one projected forth,
supported by a huge chin, like the basin or receiver round the crater of
a volcano.

His costume was of a fashion admirably corresponding with his person. It
might once have graced a dean, or, perhaps, a bishop, but it was evident
the present wearer was not by when the _artiste_ of the needle took his
measure or instructions. Three men of Mark's bulk might very well
have been buttoned up in the upper habiliment; and as for the
_inexpressibles_, they hung round his _ultimatum_ like the petticoat
trowsers of a Dutch smuggler: then for the colour, it might once have
been sable or a clerical mixture; but what with the powder which
the collar bore evidence it had once been accustomed to, and the
weather-beaten trials it had since undergone, it was quite impossible
to specify. The _beaver_ was in excellent keeping, _en suite_, except,
perhaps, from the constant application of the hand to pay due respect to
the dignitaries, it was here and there enriched with some more shining
qualities. I at first suspected this ancient visitor was a hoax of my
friend Tom Echo's, who had concerted the scheme with the landlord; but a
little conversation with the object of my surprise soon convinced me
it was the genuine Mark Supple, the true college _scout_, and no
counterfeit.

"The welcome of Isis to you, sir," said the old man. "The domini of the
bishops cap here gave me a hint you wished to see me.--I have the honour
to be Mark Supple, sir, senior scout of Brazennose, and as well known to
all the members of the university for the last fifty years, as Magdalen
bridge, or old Magnus Thomas. The first of your name, sir, I think, who
have been of Oxford--don't trace any of the Blackmantles here
antecedent--turned over my list this morning before I came--got them all
arranged, sir, take notice, in chronological order, from the friars of
~148~~ Oseny abbey down to the university of bucks of 1824--very
entertaining, sir, take notice--many a glorious name peeping out here and
there--very happy to enrol the first of the Blackmantles in my
remembrancer, and h