With Echo
every sporting character was better known than his college tutor, and
not a few kept an eye upon the boy, with hopes, no doubt, of hereafter
benefiting by his inexperience, when, having got the whip-hand of his
juvenile restrictions, he starts forth to the world a man of fashion
and consequence, with an unencumbered property of fifteen thousand per
annum, besides expectancies. "Here's a game of chess for you, Transit,"
said Echo; "why, every move upon the board is a character, and not
one but what is worth booking. Observe the arch slyness of the jockey
yonder, ear-wigging his patron, a young blood of the fancy, into a
_good thing_; particularising all the capabilities and qualities of the
different horses named, and making the event (in his own estimation)
as _sure as the Bank of England_:--how finely contrasted with the easy
indifference of the dignified sportsman near him, who leaves all to
chance, spite of the significant nods and winks from a regular _artiste_
near him, who never suffers him to make a bet out of the ring, if it
is possible to prevent him, by throwing in a little suspicion, in
order that he and his friends may have the plucking of their victim
exclusively. The portly-looking man in the left-hand corner _(see
~329~~plate)_ is Mr. Tanfield, one of the greatest betting men on the
turf; who can lose and pay twenty thousand without moving a muscle, and
pocket the like sum without indulging in a smile; always steady as old
Time, and never giving away a chance, but carefully keeping his eye upon
Cocker (i.
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