28 THE EXHILARATIONS OF THE ROAD 



up beneath the friction of the gravel ; how their 

 vain and foolish thoughts, their desponding thoughts, 

 their besetting demons of one kind and another, 

 would drop behind them, unable to keep up or to 

 endure the fresh air! They would walk away from 

 their ennui, their worldly cares, their uncharitable- 

 ness, their pride of dress ; for these devils always 

 want to ride, while the simple virtues are never so 

 happy as when on foot. Let us walk by all means; 

 but if we will ride, get an ass. 



Then the English claim that they are a more 

 hearty and robust people than we are. It is certain 

 they are a plainer people, have plainer tastes, dress 

 plainer, build plainer, speak plainer, keep closer to 

 facts, wear broader shoes and coarser clothes, and 

 place a lower estimate on themselves, all of which 

 traits favor pedestrian habits. The English grandee 

 is not confined to his carriage; but if the American 

 aristocrat leaves his, he is ruined. Oh the weari 

 ness, the emptiness, the plotting, the seeking rest 

 and finding none, that go by in the carriages ! while 

 your pedestrian is always cheerful, alert, refreshed, 

 with his heart in his hand and his hand free to all. 

 He looks down upon nobody; he is on the common 

 level. His pores are all open, his circulation is ac 

 tive, his digestion good. His heart is not cold, nor 

 are his faculties asleep. He is the only real traveler; 

 he alone tastes the "gay, fresh sentiment of the 

 road." He is not isolated, but is at one with things, 



