Mr. Hawkins, I see you come here pretty regularly on Sunday
afternoons; but I advise you not to speculate amongst us, for if you
do we shall beat you. We know our business better than you do, and
you'll get nothing out of us any more than we should get out of you
if we were to dabble in your law, for you know _that_ business better
than we do."

This disinterested advice I took to heart, and treated it as a
warning. I thanked Mr. Hill, promised to take advantage of his
kindness, and kept my word during the whole time that Tattersall's
remained in the old locality, which it did for a considerable period.

The establishment at this time was at Hyde Park Corner, and had been
rented from Lord Grosvenor since 1766. It was used for the purpose of
selling thoroughbreds and other horses of a first-rate order, until
the expiration of the lease, which was, I think, in 1865. It was then
removed to Knightsbridge, where I still continued my visits.

The new premises, or, as it might be called, the new institution, was
inaugurated with a grand dinner, chiefly attended by members of the
sporting world, including Admiral Rous, George Payne, and many other
well-known and popular patrons of our national sport. There were also
a great many who were known as "swells," people who took a lively
interest in racing affairs, and others who belonged to the literary
and artistic world, and enjoyed the national sports as well. It was a
large assembly, and if any persons can enjoy a good dinner and lively
conversation, it is those who take an interest in sport. Mixed as the
company might be, it was uniform in its object, which was to be happy
as well as jolly.

That I should have been asked to be present on this historic occasion
was extremely gratifying, but I could find no reason for the honour
conferred upon me, except that it 'might be because I had always
endeavoured to make myself agreeable--a faculty, if it be a faculty,
most invaluable in all the relations and circumstances of life. I was
flattered by the compliment, because in reality I was the guest of all
the really great men of the day.

But a still more striking honour was in store. I was called upon to
respond for somebody or something; I don't remember what it was to
this day, nor had I the faintest notion what I ought to say. I was
perfectly bewildered, and the first utterance caused a roar of
laughter. I did not at that time know the reason. It is of no
consequence whether yo