PICCADILLY. 215 



beautiful line of country to Guildford, is also an 

 admirably appointed coach, capitally turned out, well 

 horsed, and driven in first-rate style, with the strictest 

 attention to punctuality, by its clever coachman, Mr. 

 Shoolbred. The coaches running from The Cellars are 

 fewer than usual this year. No doubt the dismal 

 seasons of the past two or three years discouraged the 

 proprietors, who found small returns and little profit 

 in the wet times they experienced, and it is to be feared 

 that when the well-known Messrs. Banks have made up 

 the books the balance will be found on the wrong side. 

 As there was nothing more to be seen until 5 o'clock, 

 when Mr, Robinson's coach leaves for Thames Ditton 

 and Chertsey a journey which I strongly recommend 

 to anyone who wishes to enjoy a good time and to 

 travel in first-rate style over a pleasant road, passing 

 through Kew, Richmond, and Bushey Park then to 

 breakfast with what appetite we may; after which, 

 lighting a cigar and reclining in a comfortable arm- 

 chair, I note from the windows of these apartments a 

 host of performers in the lively drama of life ; with 



Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, 

 I see the lords of human kind pass by, 



to use Goldsmith's well-known lines; and, what interests 

 me far more, many a lady fair, concerning whom the 

 poet observes, 



As for the women, though we scorn and flout 'em, 

 We may live with, but cannot live without J em. 



Well, I think Dryden was right when he enunciated 

 that opinion, for undoubtedly it would have been a 

 trifle dull had not Eve and her descendants appeared 



