fully towards
this, than my uncle Toby's blue and gold--had not Quantity in some
measure been necessary to Grace: in a period of fifteen or sixteen years
since they had been made, by a total inactivity in my uncle Toby's life,
for he seldom went further than the bowling-green--his blue and gold had
become so miserably too straight for him, that it was with the utmost
difficulty the corporal was able to get him into them; the taking them
up at the sleeves, was of no advantage.--They were laced however
down the back, and at the seams of the sides, &c. in the mode of King
William's reign; and to shorten all description, they shone so bright
against the sun that morning, and had so metallick and doughty an
air with them, that had my uncle Toby thought of attacking in armour,
nothing could have so well imposed upon his imagination.

As for the thin scarlet breeches, they had been unripp'd by the taylor
between the legs, and left at sixes and sevens--

--Yes, Madam,--but let us govern our fancies. It is enough they were
held impracticable the night before, and as there was no alternative in
my uncle Toby's wardrobe, he sallied forth in the red plush.

The corporal had array'd himself in poor Le Fever's regimental coat; and
with his hair tuck'd up under his Montero-cap, which he had furbish'd up
for the occasion, march'd three paces distant from his master: a whiff
of military pride had puff'd out his shirt at the wrist; and upon that
in a black leather thong clipp'd into a tassel beyond the knot, hung the
corporal's stick--my uncle Toby carried his cane like a pike.

--It looks well at least; quoth my father to himself.

Chapter 4.LXII.

My uncle Toby turn'd his head more than once behind him, to see how he
was supported by the corporal; and the corporal as oft as he did it,
gave a slight flourish with his stick--but not vapouringly; and with the
sweetest accent of most respectful encouragement, bid his honour 'never
fear.'

Now my uncle Toby did fear; and grievously too; he knew not (as my
father had reproach'd him) so much as the right end of a Woman from the
wrong, and therefore was never altogether at his ease near any one of
them--unless in sorrow or distress; then infinite was his pity; nor
would the most courteous knight of romance have gone further, at least
upon one leg, to have wiped away a tear from a woman's eye; and yet
excepting once that he was beguiled into it by Mrs. Wadman, he had
never looked st