INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A RAT. 541 



companions, who, trembling at the noise, had hid himself. My pre- 

 sence soon, however, brought him round, and we returned together ; 

 the remainder of our companions, not being of the same contem- 

 plative mood, had long before departed. On relating our ideas to each 

 other, and "comparing notes," I found he was equally charmed and 

 astonished with the prospect as myself. We continued relating to each 

 other our delight, and picturing in glowing colours the magnificent pros- 

 pect we had seen, until at last nothing would serve us, but that, like 

 other accomplished gentlemen of the age, we must set out on our travels, 

 to explore and enjoy the beauties we had seen but at a distance. 



Our minds thus made up, we were not long in putting our plan 

 into execution. Having prepared ourselves for our journey, we, next 

 morning early, wended our way into the coach -office of the White Horse, 

 and snugly depositing ourselves in a basket of game, in a little time 

 we were safely hoisted to the top of a coach, which we soon learnt, from 

 the conversation of the passengers, was going to Harrowgate. Having 

 often heard Harrowgate talked about by gentlemen who came to our 

 stables, my companion and I were well pleased that that was to be our 

 destination, that we might add to the numerous visitors of this cele- 

 brated place of resort, where noblemen and their tailors, rich M.P.'s and 

 poor M. T.'s (empty's ?) rub shoulders one with another, and useless 

 vegetators, who go there to restore their fancied decrepitude, and poor 

 sharp-witted seekers after young ladies whose kind pa's have " laid up 

 something in store," where rats of both high and low degree " mingle 

 in the same promiscuous group," and drink from the same " health-re- 

 storing well." 



On we journeyed in a most comfortable bed of hay ; but the motion 

 was so unusual that, I confess, notwithstanding my habitual courage and 

 presence of mind, I felt a little of that nervousness which the Rev. 

 gentleman in his incidental journey has so well dascribed. But habit 

 soon gives confidence in the most dangerous undertakings ; can it be 

 wondered at, then, that we should soon regain that " ferocious boldness " 

 for which our race is noted, and be led to " contemplate foolish feats of 

 valour." We sat enjoying the prospect with our noses just out of the 

 hamper lid, and snuffing the breeze with keen satisfaction, until we 

 arrived at the top of Harewood bank, when some of the passengers de- 

 termined to alight and go through the park. Whilst the coach stopped, 

 we thought we could not do better than follow their example; so down 

 we jumped amongst the rest of the passengers. We created a little 

 sensation, and one great rough fellow had the unmanliness to throw his 

 hat at us but we escaped unhurt, and were soon out of danger. We 

 proceeded very comfortably together, through the park, until we arrived 

 at Harewood Castle, where, attracted by the picturesque ruin, we entered; 

 and, ascending to the top, enjoyed one of the most lovely prospects. 

 Around and beneath us was a most luxuriant valley, the clear-streamed 

 wharf meandering throug the midst. A little to the right stands Hare- 

 wood Bridge and its beautifully situated Inn, which I had so often heard 

 amateur fishers talk about who came to our stables. On the left stands 

 the noble mansion of the present Earl, with its spacious fish-pond 

 beneath. The whole of the uplands displayed the greatest richness ; the 

 green verdure, intermingled with the autumnal coloured woods and the 



