46 Fotir-in-Hand in Britain. 



Our General Manager and even the Queen Dowager 

 were considerate. 



We generally started about half-past nine in the 

 morning, half an hour earlier or later as the day's jour- 

 ney was to be long or short ; and here let me record, 

 to the credit of all, that not in any instance had we 

 ever to wait for any of the party beyond the five min- 

 utes allowed upon all well managed lines for " variation 

 of watches." The horn sounded, and we were off 

 through the crowds which were usually around the 

 hotel door awaiting the start. Nor even at meals were 

 we less punctual or less mindful of the comfort of 

 others. I had indeed a model party in every way, and 

 in none more praiseworthy than in this, that the Chari- 

 oteers were always " on time." The Prima Donna's 

 explanation may have reason in it : " Who wouldn't be 

 ready and waiting to mount the coach ! I'd as soon 

 be late, and a good deal sooner, maybe, for my wed- 

 ding : and as for meals, there was even a better reason 

 why we were always ready then : we couldn't wait." 

 We did indeed eat like hawks, especially at luncheon — 

 a real boy's hunger — the ravenous gnawing after a day 

 at the sea gathering whilks. I thought this had left 

 me, but that with many another characteristic of glori- 

 ous youth came once more to make daft callants of us. 

 O those days ! those happy, happy days ! Can they 

 be brought back once more? Will a second coaching 

 trip do it ? I would be off next summer. But one 



