THE LARRIKIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 915, 31 October 1879, Page 3

THE LARRIKIN.

The Sydney Town and Country Journal says :—The Sydney larrikin is an individual who has over since the distant date on which he became an institution been suffieientlv recognisable. It was always easy to distinguish him, whether he happened to bo a graduate of Darlinghurst University, a mere matriculated student, or a youth of sixteen preparing for his “little go.” He has ever been noted for the evident regard displays! by him for the maxim, “ It’s not the foot its the hoot.” He always wore thin little hoots with long high heels tapering to the merest point, and so far forward as to terminate almost in the middle of the solos His trousers have for a long time been light in color, tight to the knees, “ bell-mouthed, ” and striped down the sides. His coat has been, still is, and no doubt ever will be, a short “paget” to match his trousers, gorgeously adorned with light buttons and dark braid, and velvet collared. Ilis tie is almost invariably either a little black one or a very big red one—further glory in the latter case being leun to the color by a huge gold, brass, or “ halluminimim ” pin. However, it is noticeable that the larrikins who wears, as larrikins often do, frilled shirts, does not favor large tics. He wears in Ins month cither an imposing meerschaum lavishly adorned with silver or a bad cigar. His head covering lias hitherto been of various cdois and various shapes, but now bids fair to become uniform. Hundreds of young gentlemen, attired after the fashion discribed above, have adopted a hat of ecclesiastical pattern—dark in color, wide of brim, and decorated with cord and tassal. The Sydney larrikin has, therefore, the hoots of a woman, the “pants” of a stable hoy, and the “tile” of a clerical swell. As, however, he looks half bull dog as well as half bishop, there is no danger of an awkward mistake being made.