212 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



Never a rift in the clouds was observed, not a gleam 

 of sunshine to gladden the heart; how then was it 

 possible for the youthful beauty, looking forward to a 

 successful debut, to exhibit her unrivalled figure, ex- 

 quisitely designed costume, and faultless chaussure to 

 advantage, when what should have been velvet lawns 

 were stagnant swamps, and leafy groves but damp and 

 dripping woods ? whilst the ceaseless patter of the 

 envious rain compelled even the bravest wearer of 

 the most lovely and irreproachable toilet to conceal 

 its beauties within the folds of a comfortable but 

 ungraceful ulster. 



However, in this year of grace a somewhat better 

 state of things prevails, for at length we are favoured 

 with sunshine and fair weather, and the business of 

 the season commences in earnest. Desiring to survey 

 mankind, not from China to Peru, but over the more 

 limited area extending from Piccadilly to the Park 

 where, by-the-way, you will see many more of the 

 notable personages of the world than you would in the 

 more widely extended prospect I proceeded at an 

 early hour of the morning to the Bath Hotel, Piccadilly, 

 which admirable and pleasant hostelry is well known 

 to a number of our country squires, who year after year 

 locate themselves in the comfortable establishment at 

 the corner of Arlington Street, the pivot on which the 

 world the fashionable world, I mean revolves, and, 

 seated at the commanding windows of the hotel, see a 

 vast deal of life without any undue exertion. Previously 

 to crossing over to the noted White Horse Cellars, for 

 the purpose of witnessing the departure of the stage- 

 coaches of the period, which start from thence daily on 

 their admirably selected routes, it was advisable to 



