Bentley's Miscellany (Volume 22)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847. Excerpt: ... ' How magnificent the formation of the leg!' says he. ' It's nothing/ said I, 'to the fineness of the horn. 'The horn!' said he. 'I was talking of Taglioni.' ' And I of the prize ox.' By the Lord! exclaimed the Borderer, short as was our conversation, he extracted a purse of silver, a silk handkerchief, and a pair of spectacles from my pocket. But the worst is to come. I remembered that devil's--I mean my brother Dick's--warning too late, and got into a cab, as I wanted to go a little distance to examine a new turnip-machine--and when I got out and sought for money to pay my fare, the deuce a farthing had I. ' My pocket has been picked/ I exclaimed. ' That's a stale go, and I won't have it/ returned the fellow who drove me. ' Why, you infernal scoundrel, do you suppose that any person of my appearance would condescend to tell a falsehood to a fellow like you?' ' Why, ' replied the cabman, 'I would have taken my oath, that you were a regular country yokel; but, Lord! you swell-mob-men are so deep, that the devil wouldn't fathom ye.' I jumped in desperation into his d--d vehicle, ordered him to drive here--I, all the way, punching him with my umbrella, --and he, threatening to call the police--until at last we reached the hotel, and the waiter liberated me. It had been during this rapid operation, that Brian had seen what he considered my father's fetch. And as the worthy gentleman's loss was comprised within a couple of pounds, we laughed heartily at the occurrence. But as you may remember, continued the admirer of the prize ox, that devil, Dick, mentioned in his letter to you, that I was not able to take care of myself, and should not be trusted from home without a keeper; if he knew that my pocket had been picked while looking at a show-wi...