Coaching Weather. 55 



were not loath to assist in this business, and I have 

 heard many a story of the pranks played by them — for 

 several of my friends are not unlike the piper, " Rory 

 Murphy," 



"Who had of good auld sangs the wale 

 To please the wives that brewed good ale ; 

 He charmed the swats frae cog and pail 

 As he cam through Dumbarton." 



No doubt the landlord's laugh was ready chorus, 

 and the Gay Charioteers of this department, I make 

 bold to say, tasted most of the " far ben " barrels of 

 every landlord or landlady in their way northward. 

 The question of the weather occurs to every one. " If 

 you have a dry season, it may be done ; if a wet one, 

 I doubt it," was the opinion of one of my wisest friends 

 in Britain. We were surprisingly fortunate in this re- 

 spect. Only one day did we suffer seriously from rain. 

 A gentle shower fell now and then to cool the air and lay 

 the dust, or rather to prevent the dust, and seemingly 

 to recreate vegetation. Who wouldn't bear a shower, if 

 properly supplied with waterproofs and umbrellas, for 

 the fresh glory revealed thereafter. Only a continual 

 downpour for days could have dampened the ardor of 

 the Gay Charioteers. Good coaching weather may be 

 expected in June and July, if one may indulge any 

 weather anticipations in England. After we left the 

 deluge came ; nothing but rain during August and 

 September, at least such was the report — but the con- 



