' We say ditto to that, and are not sure that we wouldn't hang a 'leg'
or a 'list' man or two into the bargain.
Watchorn had a prophet of his own, one Enoch Wriggle, who, having tried his
hand unsuccessfully first at tailoring, next as an accountant, then in the
watercress, afterwards in the buy ''at-box, bonnet-box,' and lastly in the
stale lobster and periwinkle line, had set up as an oracle on turf matters,
forwarding the most accurate and infallible information to flats in
exchange for half-crowns, heading his advertisements, 'If it be a sin to
covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive!' Enoch did a considerable
stroke of business, and couched his advice in such dubious terms, as
generally to be able to claim a victory whichever way the thing went. So
the 'offending soul' prospered; and from scarcely having shoes to his feet,
he very soon set up a gig.
CHAPTER LXVIII
HOW THE 'GRAND ARISTOCRATIC' CAME OFF
Steeple-chases are generally crude, ill-arranged things. Few sportsmen will
act as stewards a second time; while the victim to the popular delusion of
patronizing our 'national sports' considers--like gentlemen who have served
the office of sheriff, or church-warden--that once in a lifetime is enough;
hence, there is always the air of amateur actorship about them.
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