56 Four-in-Hand in Britain. 



venienccs of living are so great and the discomforts so 

 few in England that I incline to the opinion, especially 

 when I take into consideration the well-known tendency 

 of the islanders to grumble, that far too much is made 

 out of the so-called bad weather. We had a curious 

 illustration of this. One day we heard some rumbling 

 sounds which would scarcely pass with us for thunder, 

 and we were amused next morning to read in the news- 

 papers of the terrific thunder-storm which had passed 

 over the district. All things are gentle and well be- 

 haved in this sober, steady-going, conservative land. 

 Even Jove himself " roars you as mildly as a sucking 

 dove." Pluvius, too, is less terrible than he is painted, 

 though the green, green grass, the smiling hedgerows, 

 the luxuriant vegetation everywhere tells of a moist 

 nature and a disposition to weep at short intervals ; but 

 the rain comes gently down as if all the while begging 

 your pardon and explaining that it couldn't possibly 

 help it, the sky being unable to keep it any longer in 

 its overburdened bosom. Strong, thick shoes, one pair 

 in reserve, and overshoes for the ladies, heavy woollen 

 clothing — under and over — a waterproof, an umbrella, 

 and a felt hat that won't spoil — these rendered us al- 

 most independent of the weather and prepared us to 

 encounter the worst ever predicted of the British cli- 

 mate ; and this is saying a great deal, for the natives 

 do grumble inordinately about it. As I have said, 

 however, our travelling was never put to a severe test. 



