is
a conspicuous object. Robed in spotless flannels, with the Brigade
Colours round his straw hat and his neck, he may be seen propelling a
punt with much perseverance and some accuracy to Boulter's Lock and
back. Afterwards he will dine with the comfortable conviction that he
has had very violent exercise.

Of the Young Guardsman's dress much might be said. It is spotless and
careful and is evidently the result of deep thought. Yet, if a fault may
be hinted, it errs like his cigar on the side of exaggeration. A
frock-coat should fit well, but his is too tight. Fashion no doubt
demands that in the daytime a cascade of silk or satin should pour
itself into a lake of shirt-front, but the cascade need not be a Niagara
nor the lake an Ontario. It is true of course that at night no young man
who respects himself and values the opinion of his friends would dream
of wearing a white tie of any but the butterfly pattern. Still there are
butterflies and butterflies, and the Young Guardsman's model would seem
to be rather one of the huge tropical varieties than any known to our
northern climate. These, however, are but trifling defects which
scarcely detract from the shining and ornamental completeness of his
appearance.

It is remarkable how readily the Young Guardsman imagines himself to be
an adept in the mysteries of the turf. With a light heart and a heavy
betting-book he faces the hoary sinners who lay the odds. Nor is it
until he has lost more money than his father can well afford that he
discovers that the raw inexperience even of a Young Guardsman is
unequally matched against the cool head, and the long purse, of the
professional book-maker. In vain does he call in the aid of the venal
tipster. The result is always the same, and he returns home from every
race-meeting without ever, to use his own phrase, "getting home" at all.
Indeed, if they may be believed, the subalterns of "the Brigade" never
vary from a condition which they always describe as stony-broke.

A little later in his career the Young Guardsman will find himself
temporarily on the staff of a General appointed to command a force of
Volunteers during some Easter man[oe]uvres. He will wear a white belt,
the frock-coat of his undress uniform and a cocked hat, and will believe
himself to be a Staff officer. He will perform his duties not without
efficiency, but will scarcely take enough trouble to remove from the
minds of the Volunteers to whom he issues ord