“No such thing,” said Tom, drawing him on one side--“you will hardly believe that Bill is nothing more than a Shopman to a Linen-draper, recently discharged for malpractices; and the other has been a Waiter at a Tavern, but is now out of place; and they are both upon the sharp look-out to _gammon the flats_. The former obtains his present livelihood by gambling--spends the most of his time in playing cards with _greenhorns_, always to be picked up at low flash houses, at fairs, races, milling-matches, &c. and is also in the holy keeping of the cast-off mistress of a nobleman whose family he was formerly in as a _valet-de-chambre_. The other pretends to teach sparring in the City, and occasionally has a benefit in the Minories, Duke's Place, and the Fives Court.” “They talk it well, however,” said Bob. 1 Swapp'd--Exchanged. 2 That's the time of day--That's your sort--that's the barber--keep moving--what am you arter--what am you up to-- there never was such times--that's the Dandy--Go along Bob, &c. are ex-pressions that are frequently made use of by the people of the Metropolis; and indeed fashion seems almost to have as much to do with our language as with our dress or manners. ~165~~“Words are but wind, many a proud word comes off a weak stomach,” was the reply; “and you may almost expect not to hear a word of truth in this place, which may be termed The Sporting Repository--it is the grand mart for horses and for other fashionable animals--for expensive asses, and all sorts of sporting-dogs, town-puppies, and second-hand vehicles. Here bets are made for races and fights--matches are made up here--bargains are struck, and engagements entered into, with as much form, regularity, and importance, as the progress of parliamentary proceedings--points of doubt upon all occasions of jockeyship are decided here; and no man of fashion can be received into what is termed polished society, without a knowledge of this place and some of the visitors. The proceedings however are generally so managed, that the ostlers, the jockeys, the grooms, and the dealers, come best off, from a superiority of knowledge and presumed judgment--they have a method of patching up deep matches to _diddle the dupes_, and to introduce _throws over, doubles, double doubles_, to ease the heavy pockets of their burdens. The system of puffing is also as much in use here as among the Lottery-office Keepers, the Quack Doctors, or the Auctioneers; and the __Knowing ones, by an understanding amongst each other, sell their cattle almost for what they please, if it so happens they are not immediately in want of the _ready_,{1} which, by the way, is an article too frequently in request--and here honest poverty is often obliged to sell at any rate, while the rich black-leg takes care only to sell to a good advantage, making a point at the same time not only to make the most of his cattle, but also of his friend or acquaintance.”