CHAPTER XXXVIL 



THE COACHING CLUB. 



As yet the trembling year is unconfirmed, 

 And Winter oft at eve resumes the breeze, 

 Chills the pale morn, and bids his driving sleets 

 Deform the day delightless." 



AINFULLY alive to the foregoing views 

 of Thomson, who, in his "Ode to Spring," 

 was yet constrained to admit that it was 

 not always a season of ethereal mildness, 

 I drew my "auld cloak" round me as I journeyed 

 towards Hyde Park, in order to be present on the 

 occasion of the first meeting of the Coaching Club, 

 Avhich was fixed for Wednesday last, at the accus- 

 tomed trysting place, the Magazine, on the banks of 

 the somewhat muddy-seeming and treacherous pool, 

 known as the Serpentine. A dull, heavy morning 

 was this ; frequent and heavy storms of rain and 

 hail, culminating in a terrific downpour, with an 

 accompaniment of thunder and lightning, effectually 

 spoilt the pleasure of the day's proceedings, and 

 turned that which is usually a gala day into a miser- 

 able fiasco. Instead of throngs of gaily-dressed 

 ladies hastening towards the appointed place of 



