90 Four-in-Hand in Britam. 



century is advanced beyond that of the Jewish dispen- 

 sation. 



Monday was another thoroughly English day. The 

 silver Thames, that glistened in the sun, was enlivened 

 by many stately swans. The castle towered in all its 

 majesty, vivified by the meteor flag which fluttered in 

 the breeze. The grounds of Eton were crowded with 

 nice-looking English boys as we passed. Many of us 

 walked down the steep hill and far into the country in 

 advance of the coach, and felt once more that a fine 

 day in the south of England was perfection indeed. 

 The sun here reminds one of the cup that cheers, but 

 does not inebriate: its rays cheer, but never scorch. 

 You could not tell whether, if there were to be any 

 change, you would prefer it to be a shade cooler or a 

 shade warmer. 



The swans of Windsor are an institution almost as 

 old as the castle itself, for they are mentioned in rec- 

 ords more than five hundred years ago. The swan is 

 indeed a royal bird, and it is said that no subject can 

 own them when at large in a public river except by 

 special grant from the crown. Such a grant is accom- 

 panied by a swan-mark for each game of swans — the 

 proper term, mark you, for a collection of the noble 

 birds. You may say a flock of geese but not of swans ; 

 a game of swans, please, if you would " speak by the 

 card." The corporation of Windsor has possessed the 

 right of keeping swans in the Thames almost from 



