DAILY TELEGRAPH THURSDAY 5 APRIL

[Foureyes]

On page 27 of yesterday's Daily Telegraph a letter to the editor concerning the National Lottery is accompanied by an engraving depicting the draw at the state lottery in 1751. Hawkeyed Old Blues will spot that at either end of the table is a boy wearing a long blue coat, breeches, yellow stockings and bands. It was the custom for many years for CH Boys to make the draw in this way, since it took place at the London Guildhall, and Newgate Street was just a stone's throw away. It is also worth observing that while the dress of everyone to do with today's lottery is quite different from that in the engraving, the said bluecoat, breeches, yellow stockings and white bands have changed not one iota - I am happy to say!