Watch, Chain and Seals.—A sheep’s head and pluck.
Watchmaker.—A stealer of watches—he makes them in a crowd!
Water Sneaksman.—A man who steals from ships or crafts on the river.
Ways and Means.—To raise the supply of ready money for the current expenses of the day.
Wear the Breeches.—To be White Serjeant.
Weasel.—“To catch a weasel asleep.” To catch a person nodding; to find he has not his weather-eye open—Nunquam dormio!
Weather-Eye.—“I have my weather-eye open.” I have my wits about me; I know what I am after: I can see the difference between a clock and a cabbage.
Wedge.—Silver plate, because melted by the receivers of stolen goods into wedges.
West-End Tailor—A.—“Corinthian Tom had just ordered his servant to bring him ‘The Weekly Dispatch,’ to see how sporting matters had been going on in the Metropolis during his absence from town, when Mr. Primefit—the West-End Schneider!—Par excellence!—was announced to Mr. Hawthorn to be in waiting to receive his commands.
“Mr. Primefit, according to the ‘counter-talking part of the community,’ had done, all his ‘dirty work;’ and among the needles—otherwise sharps—at the West-end of the Town, who must sport a genteel outside, no matter at whose suit, it was observed, between a grin and a pun, that he had not only got rid of all his ‘bad habits,’ but had likewise outlived his sufferings. It was said of this celebrated ‘apparel furnisher,’ that, if he received the cash for ONE coat out of three, nothing was the matter! In his intercourse with people of fashion, the character that ran before him was a perfectly gentlemanly tradesman. He had one point in view on setting out in life, and he never lost sight of it. To ask his customers for payment was to lose their custom. Though for the first seven years Dickey Primefit was engaged in cutting-up his cloth, he was hurried beyond measure, by those ‘troublesome customers,’ John Doe and Richard Roe, who were continually at his elbow, nudging him to take ‘measure of their suits’ in preference to every other person; his law expenses and ‘Mum tip’—that is rhino to silence, or, shut-up the gab of the bum-traps—in consequence, were frightful; yet Dickey braved the fury of the woollen-draper’s ‘storm’ with the utmost composure. With a placid countenance he never refused credit to any British officer, either in the sea or land service, let the distance or uncertainty be what it might. The reference of one gentleman to another was quite sufficient to Mr. Primefit; and the garments were made and sent home without further enquiry or delay. Of course, in return, the charges of Dickey were never overhauled; indeed, what Gentleman would have behaved so ungentlemanly to a tradesman who was all civility, politeness, and accommodation, from one end of his pattern-card to the other? The business of Mr. Primefit, therefore, became so extensive, that he sent clothes to all parts of the world. In London, no gentleman, who had been once in the books of Dickey, would listen to the name of any other tailor, which rendered Primefit the ‘go for a tasty cut, best materials, and first-rate workmanship.’ Dickey had a ‘soul above buttons,’ he had no narrow ideas belonging to him: and he flattered himself that, ultimately, it would all be right. ‘No gentleman,’ Mr. Primefit would often assert, when he has been blamed for giving such an extensive loose sort of credit, ‘I am convinced, but will act as such, sooner or later, towards me!’ So it proved. Things, at length, took the expected turn. Many long out-standing bills came in. His capital accumulated. His business also increased in so extraordinary a manner that several clerks were necessary to keep it in order, and ensure punctuality. Dickey was almost as true as a clock to his time, in attending to orders. His character for fashion was so emphatic, that numbers of stylish tradesmen, who found it necessary to have a ‘bettermost coat’ by them, for ‘high days and holidays’ regardless of the charge, employed Mr. Primefit. The sunshine of prosperity was now so complete, that not a single bum-trap had crossed the threshold of Dickey’s door, in the way of private business, for many a long day past. In short, Mr. Primefit had realised the climax of his exertions—he had measured his way into a carriage. Dickey was principally distinguished for the cut of his coats. To Corinthian Tom he was peculiarly indebted, as a leader of the fashion. It was owing to this circumstance that Mr. Primefit waited in person at Corinthian House; indeed, the active use of the scissors and parchment had long been removed from the hands of Dickey, and his principal occupation now consisted of talking over the versatility of fashion to his customers, and giving directions to his men. But the slightest idea that might drop from Corinthian Tom respecting the advantages of dress was what Dickey could not resist, and he, therefore, ordered his carriage immediately to attend upon the rustic Jerry at once.