

CHAPTER III. 



DOWN THE ROAD. 



ICCADILLY is, to my mind, the grandest 

 thoroughfare in the universe, not so much 

 by reason of its architectural features, 

 which, to speak truthfully, are somewhat 

 incongruous, as from the fact of its being the high- 

 way along which " the world " travels when bent 

 either on business or pleasure. In what city will 

 you see such palatial abodes, such comfortable clubs, 

 such splendid equipages — whitlier will you bend 

 your steps in order to find so many stalwart men 

 or such numbers of graceful women, " that are lovely, 

 gentle, kind, and full of every hope and every joy," 

 as may be met with during a short walk along this 

 delightful and fashionable promenade, on a bright 

 sunshiny morning in the spring time of the year ? 



But here we are at the White Horse Cellar, the 

 hour 10 A.M., and there stands the Rocket, a fast and 

 well-appointed four-horse stage coach, about to start 

 for Portsmouth, traversing the distance, some 77 

 miles, in eight hours, and journeying through a 

 lovely and picturesque part of the country, at a 

 rapid and exhilarating rate. The proprietor of this 

 workmanlike turn-out is Captain Hargreaves, with 



