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VISIT TO KEW-GARDENS BY RAIL DIRECT. 



" So you're come at last, and, as usual, at the last minute. Have I 

 your ticket } Of course I have. Strange, that you cannot as easily 

 be a few minutes before time, so as to avoid all this drive and hurry. 

 Jump into the carriage, for the train moves ; and now, where' s our 

 lunch ? Not got any V " No ; for we are not allowed to eat in the 

 gardens, so we must e'en visit 'mine host' of the Star and Garter, 

 and assault his larder when we come out. There is a biscuit for 

 you, such as an old sailor like yourself would have gone to the mast- 

 head for more than once in your life, I venture to say." " You're 

 right ; and some day, as you remind me of the salt water, perhaps 

 when you are safe moored in that country-box of yours, and we are 

 seated together in the pleasant arbour overlooking the hills, with the 

 stream flowing through the valley below, I may spin you a yarn or 

 two, and shew how a love of horticulture never forsook me, though 

 for months together, on the trackless ocean, I saw nought but 



' The perilous waters — with the mariners a fellow-mariner.' " 



How bright and cheerful every thing looks, after the pleasant 

 rains we have had ! But what a pace we have been going at for 

 a stopping train ! 



" Hurry, hurry, we are gone ; 

 With whizzing speed we gallop on ; 

 Steam and engine pant and blow. 

 Spurning the sparks and dust below. 

 Now right and left on either hand 

 We see with awe and wonder, 

 How vanish corner, hedge, and land — 

 Hark, how the bridges thunder !" 



