. The knowing
cove finds his account in looking out for the green ones, and the
greens find their head sometimes a little heavier, and their pockets
lighter, by an accidental rencontre with the fancy. To see the place
in perfection, a stranger should choose the night previous to some
important mill, when our host of the Castle plays second, and all the
lads are mustered to _stump up_ their blunt, or to catch the important
_whisper_ where the _scene of action_ is likely to be (for there is
always due caution used in the disclosure), to take a peep at the
pugilists present, and trot off as well satisfied as if he had partaken
of a splendid banquet with the Great Mogul.

The long room is neatly fitted up, and lighted with gas; and the
numerous sporting subjects, elegantly framed and glazed, have rather an
imposing effect upon the entrance of the visitor, and among which may be
recognised animated likenesses of the late renowned Jem Belcher, and
his daring competitor (that inordinate glutton) Burke. The fine
whole-length portrait of Mr. Jackson stands between those of the
Champion and Tom Belcher; the father of the present race of boxers, old
Joe Ward; the Jew phenomenon, Dutch Sam; Bob Gregson, in water colours,
by the late John Emery, of Covent Garden theatre; the scientific contest
between Humphreys and Mendoza; also the battle between Crib and Jem
Belcher; a finely executed portrait of the late tremendous Molineux;
portraits of Gulley, Randall, Harmer, Turner, Painter, Tom Owen, and
Scroggins, with a variety of other subjects connected with the turf,
chase, &c, including a good likeness of the dog Trusty, the champion of
the canine race in fifty battles, and the favourite ~337~~animal of Jem
Belcher, the gift of Lord Camelford--the whole forming a characteristic
trait of the sporting world. The long table, or the ring, as it
is facetiously termed, is where the _old slanders_ generally perch
themselves to receive the visits of the swells, and give each other the
office relative to passing events: and what set of men are better
able to speak of society in all its various ramifications, from the
cabinet-counsellor to the _cosey costermonger_? Jemmy Soares, the
president, must be considered a _downy one_; having served five
apprenticeships to the office of sheriffs representative, and is as good
a fellow in his way as ever _tapped a shy one_ upon the shoulder-joint,
or let fly a _ca sa_ at your goods and chattels. Lucky Bob