Note 50 — Chapter VI
Reading edition
The writer possesses a copy of the first edition of "Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour," which is a perfect museum. At some period of its existence it was relegated to the harness-room; and its leaves bear the insignia of almost every known preparation used in dressing boots, harness, saddles, buckles, dogs, horses' hoofs, and human hair. Not for all the wealth of the Indies would he remove a single stain. Most of them have been identified by his friends (it is feared with more regard for humour than accuracy) in marginal notes. Sherlock Holmes would certainly have considered it worthy of a monograph.