172 Four-in-Hand in Britain. 



gret, but London engagements were imperative. Mr 

 and Mrs. K. arrived. If ever a couple received a warmer 

 welcome I never saw nor heard of it. It seemed as if 

 we had been separated for years, and how often during 

 our journey had one or another of the party regretted 

 that Aggie and Aaleck were missing all this. 



It was upon the ocean that Ben and Davie conceived 

 the idea that a run to Paris would be advisable. Leave 

 of absence for two week was accordingly granted to 

 four — Mr. and Mrs. McC, Miss J. and Mr. V. 



We bade them good-bye at Wolverhampton, Thurs- 

 day, June 30th, and saw them fairly off, not without 

 tears upon both sides from the weaker sex. These 

 partings are miserable things always. Their places were 

 taken by Miss J. R. (a Dunfermline bairn), Miss A. B., 

 and Mr. D. Next morning we gathered the clans at 

 Mr. G.'s, calling at the houses of several other friends 

 for the contingent they had so kindly entertained ; 

 thence to Merridale for the remainder and the final 

 start. 



It was a sight to see the party on the lawn there as 

 we drove off, giving three hearty cheers for Wolver- 

 hampton. In special honor of the head of the clan 

 there, the master of Merridale, we had just sung " For 

 he is an Englishman." Yes, he is the Englishman all 

 over. Our route for many miles was still in the black 

 country, but near Lichfield we reached again the rural 

 beauties of England. How thankful to get away once 



