94 COACHING. 



minutes allowed, with its scalding soup stained 

 warm water, its tough steaks, its Scotch collops, 

 " Uquidis iwofusus odoribus,^' its underdone boiled 

 leg of mutton, its potatoes, hot without and 

 hard within. Then the scramble for a nook by 

 the fire to dry the soaked coat, cloak, or hat ; 

 then the change of coachmen, all of whom ex- 

 pected to be remembered ; then the fees to 

 guard and porters. Let anyone picture to 

 himself or herself the miseries of such a 

 journey, and be thankful that they have all 

 nearly vanished under the mighty power of 

 steam. 



Having given the opinions of the advocates of 

 the rail, I turn to those of the road, who thus 

 describe the delights of a journey in a fast 

 coach. 



They suppose a fine Spring morning, when you 

 find yourself seated by the side of a pleasant 

 companion, behind four blood horses, the roads 

 sufficiently watered by an April shower to lay 

 the dust; the hedgerows shooting forth — buds 

 unfolding, flowers bursting out; the birds carol- 

 ling cheerfully, as if to welcome the return 

 of Spring; the sun smiling upon the snug 

 cottages, the picturesque village churches, tlie 

 small hamlets, the peaceful homesteads, the neatly- 



