Sharpshooters

           Wintrymorning,lookingwithdulleyesandsallowfaceupontheneighbourhoodofLeicesterSquare,findsitsinhabitantsunwillingtogetoutofbed.Manyofthemarenotearlyrisersatthebrightestoftimes,beingbirdsofnightwhoroostwhenthesunishighandarewideawakeandkeenforpreywhenthestarsshineout.Behinddingyblindandcurtain,inupperstoryandgarret,skulkingmoreorlessunderfalsenames,falsehair,falsetitles,falsejewellery,andfalsehistories,acolonyofbrigandslieintheirfirstsleep.Gentlemenofthegreen-baizeroadwhocoulddiscoursefrompersonalexperienceofforeigngalleysandhometreadmills;spiesofstronggovernmentsthateternallyquakewithweaknessandmiserablefear,brokentraitors,cowards,bullies,gamesters,shufflers,swindlers,andfalsewitnesses;somenotunmarkedbythebranding-ironbeneaththeirdirtybraid;allwithmorecrueltyinthemthanwasinNero,andmorecrimethanisinNewgate.Forhowsoeverbadthedevilcanbeinfustianorsmock-frock(andhecanbeverybadinboth),heisamoredesigning,callous,andintolerabledevilwhenhesticksapininhisshirt-front,callshimselfagentleman,backsacardorcolour,playsagameorsoofbilliards,andknowsalittleaboutbillsandpromissorynotesthaninanyotherformhewears.AndinsuchformMr.Bucketshallfindhim,whenhewill,stillpervadingthetributarychannelsofLeicesterSquare.Butthewintrymorningwantshimnotandwakeshimnot.ItwakesMr.Georgeoftheshootinggalleryandhisfamiliar.Theyarise,rollupandstowawaytheirmattresses.Mr.