ng round the
battle-ground. A flag was flying upon the building; and, on to the
stage in front, accompanied by a drummer and a horn-blower, a manager
repeatedly issued to announce to the crowd that the noble English sports
were just about to begin.

Mr. Warrington paid his money, and was accommodated with a seat in a
gallery commanding a perfect view of the platform whereon the sports
were performed; Mr. Gumbo took his seat in the amphitheatre below; or,
when tired, issued forth into the outer world to drink a pot of beer,
or play a game at cards with his brother-lacqueys, and the gentlemen's
coachmen on the boxes of the carriages waiting without. Lacqueys,
liveries, footmen--the old society was encumbered with a prodigious
quantity of these. Gentlemen or women could scarce move without one,
sometimes two or three, vassals in attendance. Every theatre had its
footman's gallery: an army of the liveried race hustled around every
chapel-door: they swarmed in anterooms: they sprawled in halls and on
landings: they guzzled, devoured, debauched, cheated, played cards,
bullied visitors for vails:--that noble old race of footmen is well-nigh
gone. A few thousand of them may still be left among us. Grand, tall,
beautiful, melancholy, we still behold them on levee days, with their
nosegays and their buckles, their plush and their powder. So have I seen
in America specimens, nay camps and villages, of Red Indians. But the
race is doomed. The fatal decree has gone forth, and Uncas with his
tomahawk and eagle's plume, and Jeames with his cocked hat and long
cane, are passing out of the world where they once walked in glory.

Before the principal combatants made their appearance, minor warriors
and exercises were exhibited. A boxing-match came off, but neither of
the men were very game or severely punished, so that Mr. Warrington
and the rest of the spectators had but little pleasure out of that
encounter. Then ensued some cudgel-playing; but the heads broken were
of so little note, and the wounds given so trifling and unsatisfactory,
that no wonder the company began to hiss, grumble, and show other signs
of discontent. "The masters, the masters!" shouted the people, whereupon
those famous champions at length thought fit to appear.

The first who walked up the steps to the stage was the intrepid Sutton,
sword in hand, who saluted the company with his warlike weapon, making
an especial bow and salute to a private box or gallery in w