RETROSPECTIVE. 175 



grow cool, and the sooty spectre in brown paper cap, 

 labouring at the bellows, leans on the handle for a 

 moment, and permits the asthmatic engine to heave a 

 long-drawn sigh, while he glares through the murky 

 smoke and sulphurous gleams of the smithy. Another 

 crack of the whip and on they speed at a smart gallop, 

 the horses tossing their heads and rattling the harness as 

 if in exhilaration at the rapidity of the motion ; while the 

 coachman, holding the whip and reins in one hand, 

 takes off his hat with the other, and resting it on his 

 knees, pulls out his handkerchief and wipes his forehead, 

 partly because he has a habit of doing so, and partly 

 because it is as well to show the passengers how cool he 

 is, and what an easy thing it is to drive four-in-hand when 

 one has had so much practice as he has. Having done 

 this very leisurely (otherwise the effect would be materi- 

 ally impaired), he replaces his handkerchief, pulls on his 

 hat, adjusts his gloves, squares his elbows, cracks the 

 whip, and on they speed more merrily than before.' 



