148 Four-in-Hand in Britain. 



very. There are many things still crooked in the deaf 

 old tight little isle which other lands have straightened 

 out long ago, or rather never built crooked. Hurry up, 

 you leader of nations in generations past ! It's not your 

 role in the world to lag behind ; at least it has not been 

 till lately, when others have " bettered your instruc- 

 tion." Come along, England, you are not done for ; 

 only stir yourself, and the lead is still yours. The guide 

 was a theological student, and therefore could not be 

 expected to have much general knowledge, but he surely 

 should have known something about cathedrals. 



It rained at Coventry during breakfast, and friend G. 

 ventured to suggest that perhaps some of the ladies 

 might prefer going by rail to Birmingham and join the 

 coach there, at luncheon ; but 



" He did not know the stuff 

 Of our gallant crew, so tough, 

 On board the Charioteer O." 



He was " morally sat upon," as Lucy says. Not a 

 lady but indignantly repelled the suggestion. Even Mrs. 

 G., a bride, and naturally somewhat in awe of her hus- 

 band yet, went so far as to say " Tom is a little queer 

 this morning." 



Waterproofs and umbrellas to the front, we sallied 

 forth from the courtyard of the Queen's in a drenching 

 down-pour. 



" But what care we how wet we be, 

 By the coach we'll live or die." 



