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John Leech - 'Mr. Briggs'

1850

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Pleasures of Horsekeeping By the time Mr. Briggs's horse (which suits him exactly) has recovered from his cold, a long frost sets in. Groom. 'That's just what I say, sir; it is aggeravatin' to see a nice oss like that, sir, a doin' nothin' but eatin' his ed off!'

The Frost goes and Mr. Briggs's horse is disagreeably fresh after his long rest. He sets up his back and squeaks, and plunges at everything he meets.

Mr. Briggs, not being good at his 'fences', goes through the performance of opening a gate.

Mr. Briggs has another day with the hounds. Mr. Briggs can't bear flying leaps, so he makes for a gap - which is immediately filled by a franctic protectionist, who is vowing that he will pitchfork Mr. Briggs if he comes 'galloperravering' over his fences - danged if he doant !

Mr. Briggs has gone to the exhibition. - A Boy holds his horse in the meantime. (in speechbaloons) ' Come, you get off you've had your turn' - 'Go along Irish. I shan't ! Why, I aint galloped im yet'

Mr. Briggs starts on his fishing excursion. Mr. B. won't have a man with him, as he thinks he can manage a punt by himself; and the consequence is, he is obliged to go to bed while his things are dried, having upset himself, as a matter of course.

Mr. Briggs tries (for many hours) a likely place for a perch; but , upon this occasion, the wind is not in a favourable quarter. Minnow caught by Mr. Briggs,August 23rd 1850. - Exact size of life.

Mr. Briggs thinks of running down the day after to-morrow to his friend Haycock for a day's shooting, and has borrowed a dog to go with him. For the ninth time during the night he has been disturbed by the howling of the animal. Mr. Briggs no sooner returns to his bed, than Mrs. Briggs says, 'My dear! There's that nasty tiresome dog again!!'

Mr. Briggs has another day's fishing. He is so fortunate as to catch a large eel.

Triumphant success of Mr. Biggs. Somehow or other (assisted by his little boy Walter), he catches a Jack, which, to use Mr. B.'s own words, flies at him, and barks like a dog !

Mr. Briggs has another glorious day with the hounds, and gets the brush (for which he pays half-a-sovereign - only don't tell anybody).

1851

Mr. Briggs has backed himself to ride a steeple chase against his friend Muffins, of the St-k Exch-nge. He is going round the course just to look at the jumps. Spectator (to Mr. B) 'Oh no, sir! - This ain't the Big One. The Big One is after you get out of the lane and afore you come to the brook.

Mr. Briggs Rides his Match Mr. Briggs is weighed, of course. His friends recommend him a little jumping powder. Here he takes a preliminary canter, and puts his horse at a flight of hurdles. and gets over very cleverly. Some time after the start, Mr. Briggs goes on the wrong side of the flag, and is obliged to go back, which, as the ground is rather heavy, 'takes it out of old Blunderbuss considerably'. who, in consequence, makes a mistake at the next fence. However, Mr. Briggs is not hurt; and after some exertion, remounts. Mr. Briggs as he appeared, coming to the brook. In the distance may be observed his opponent, who has a nasty fall, but fortunately tumbles on his head. Mr. Briggs, as he appeared in the brook. As he appeared when he came out of the brook. Portrait of Mr. Briggs Winning the race. - N.B. The dense crowd is cheering him.

Mr. Br - ggs (We suppress the Gentlemman's name for obvious reasons) thinks he will go to Hampton Races. On his return from the races, he assures his man that he's a most 'ekshellent servant' - that the mare never carried him better. He also tells him to make the mare quite 'comf-able', and to be 'very caref-l of hish candle' because there's so much straw about!

Mr. Briggs, anxious to become a 'complete angler', studies the 'gentle art' of fly-fishing. Mr. Briggs goes out. His chief difficulty is, that every time he throws his line - the hooks (of which there are five) will stick behind in his jacket and tr-ws-rs.

Mr. Briggs goes grouse shooting. 9 A.M. His arrival on the moor. - Mr. Briggs says that the fine bracing air makes him so vigorous that he shall never be beat. he also facetiously remarks that he is on 'his native heath', and that his 'name is Macgregor!' The result of the day's sport will be comunicated by Electric Telegraph. Mr. Briggs grouse shooting. 11 a.m. Mr. Briggs begins to show symtoms of distress. He finds his 'native heath' a very different thing to his native Flag Stones. 12 a.m. Total prostration of Mr. Briggs.

Mr. Briggs is off again shooting.