Riders in the Row. 3 1 1 



few opportunities have been afforded of enjoying a 

 ride in the Row. Once or twice there has been a 

 prospect of fair weather, but even then the attend- 

 ance of those accustomed to take their evening 

 exercise in Hyde Park, has been sadly short of its 

 usual proportions. All we have to depend upon 

 now is hope, and we may be happy yet — at least for 

 the brief remainder of the London season. Should 

 anyone have chafed under the trials and tribulations 

 of these tempestuous times, remember that some 

 allowance should be made for that unlucky wight 

 — who having, regardless of expense, sought the com- 

 bined talent and aid of Smalpage, Tautz, and Lin- 

 coln and Bennett, in order to render himself worthy 

 of the occasion — a friend having placed at his dis- 

 posal a chesnut hack, by " Make Haste," with perfect 

 manners, high courage and elastic action, and being 

 aware that he will at any rate be the observed of 

 one observer — one bright particular star amongst 

 the many luminaries that shed a lustre over the 

 gatherings in the Row — remember, I say, that some 

 allowance should be made for his feelings, when an 

 envious shower drives the frequenters of that fashion- 

 able resort to their firesides, and sends him home- 

 wards mud-bespattered and woe-begone, dripping 

 and disconsolate. Such has been the hapless con- 

 dition of some I have known, and as a fellow-feeling 

 makes one wondrous kind, I have sympathised with 

 these sufferers. The only things that are grateful 

 for the daily downpour are the trees and shrubs, which 

 flourish with the utmost luxuriance, whilst the some- 

 what dingy sheep, who do the pastoral in the Park, 

 are literally living in clover, revelling in the abund- 



