in general, became the subject of the conversation, the latter part of
which took place in the smoking-room of the Regent's Park Barracks,
then occupied by that regiment of Life Guards of which Lord Kew and Mr.
Belsize had been members. Both were still fondly remembered by their
companions; and it was because Belsize had spoken very warmly of Clive's
friendliness to him that Jack's friend the gallant Crackthorpe had
been interested in our hero, and found an opportunity of making his
acquaintance.

With these frank and pleasant young men Clive soon formed a considerable
intimacy: and if any of his older and peaceful friends chanced to take
their afternoon airing in the Park, and survey the horsemen there, we
might have the pleasure of beholding Mr. Newcome in Rotten Row, riding
side by side with other dandies who had mustachios blonde or jet, who
wore flowers in their buttons (themselves being flowers of spring), who
rode magnificent thoroughbred horses, scarcely touching their stirrups
with the tips of their varnished boots, and who kissed the most
beautiful primrose-coloured kid gloves to lovely ladies passing them in
the Ride. Clive drew portraits of half the officers of the Life Guards
Green; and was appointed painter in ordinary to that distinguished
corps. His likeness of the Colonel would make you die with laughing: his
picture of the Surgeon was voted a masterpiece. He drew the men in the
saddle, in the stable, in their flannel dresses, sweeping their flashing
swords about, receiving lancers, repelling infantry,--nay, cutting--a
sheep in two, as some of the warriors are known to be able to do at one
stroke. Detachments of Life Guardsmen made their appearance in Charlotte
Street, which was not very distant from their barracks; the most
splendid cabs were seen prancing before his door; and curly-whiskered
youths, of aristocratic appearance, smoking cigars out of his
painting-room window. How many times did Clive's next-door neighbour,
little Mr Finch, the miniature-painter, run to peep through his parlour
blinds, hoping that a sitter was coming, and "a carriage-party"
driving up! What wrath Mr. Scowler, A.R.A., was in, because a young
hop-o'-my-thumb dandy, who wore gold chains and his collars turned down,
should spoil the trade and draw portraits for nothing! Why did none
of the young men come to Scowler? Scowler was obliged to own that
Mr. Newcome had considerable talent, and a good knack at catching
a likeness.