PEKSONAL EECOLLECTIONS. 17 



bably written about the close of the previous 

 century ; and certainly not much progress was 

 made for the comfort of passengers, as I can 

 myself bear testimony. I well remember the 

 lumbering, slow coach that used to convey me 

 from London to Chichester thrice a year, when the 

 holidays from Westminster came about. It 

 started at five o'clock in the morning-, reachioo- 



CD' t5 



its destination late in the evening, six inside 

 passengers being stuffed in a small space capable 

 of holding four comfortably. At all the hills — 

 and there are plenty on this road — we were 

 politely asked to descend from the vehicle, as 

 the wretched horses could scarcely drag their 

 heavy load even on level ground. It was always 

 considered in those days dangerous to mount 

 the roof; still any risk was better than being 

 stifled inside, and often have I, despite the 

 inclemency of the weather, taken the box seat, 

 getting thoroughly wet through before half my 

 journey had been accomplished. 



This reminds me of a witticism of a guard who, 

 Being told by a passenger that he had tried every 

 sort of waterproof coat, but that nothing would 

 keep him dry, 



" Why, then," said the other, " don't you 

 invest a penny in a Yarmouth bloater ? Eat 







