THE LARRIKIN.

Kumara Times, Issue 929, 22 September 1879, Page 4

THE LARRIKIN.

The Sydney Town and Country says : The Sydney larrikin is an individual who has ever since the distant date on which he became an institution been sufficiently recogniseable. It was always easy to distinguish him, whether he happened to be a graduate of Darlinghurst University, a mere martriculated student, or a youth of sixteen preparing for his “little go.” He has ever been noted for the evident regard displayed by him for the maxim, “It’s not the foot, its the boot.” He always wore thin little boots with long high heels tapering to the merest point” and so far forward as to terminate almost in the middle of the soles. 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. His tie is almost invariably either a little black one or a very big red one—further glory in the latter case being lent to the color by a huge gold, brass, or “ halumiuinium” pin. However, it is noticeable that the larrikins who wears, as larrikins often do, frilled shirts, does not favor large ties. He wears in his mouth either an imposing meerschaum lavishly adorned with silver or a bad cigar. His head covering has hitherto been of various colors and various shapes, but now bids fair to becomes uniform. Hundreds of young gentlemen, attired after the fashion described above, have ad op ted ahat of ecclesiastical pattern—dark in color, wide of brim and decorated with cord and tassal. The Sydney larrikin has, therefore, the boots of a woman, the “ pants ” of a stable boy, 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.