58 THE BRIGHTON ROAD 



Meanwhile there was a certain " something lingering 

 with oil in it," permeating the fog, while a sound as 

 of many humming-tops filled the air. 



Then the cars moved on a bit, amid the cheers and 

 chaff of a good-humoured crowd. Presently another 

 stoppage and more shivering. 



" 'As thet cove there got th' Vituss dance ? " 

 inquired the elated cabby, indicating a gentleman 

 who was wobbling like a piece of jelly. 



" That's the vibration," explained another. 



" 'Ow does the vibration agree w' the old six yer 

 'ad last night ? ' cabby inquired immediately. " I 

 say, Chawlie, don't it make yer sea-sick ? Oh my ! 

 th' smell ! ' and he gasped and sat on his box, looking 

 bilious. 



* 



When all the carriages had wended their way to 

 Westminster we asked cabby what he thought of the 

 procession. 



" Arsk my 'os," said he, with a look of disgust on 

 his face. " What's yer opinion of it, old gal ? 

 Failyer ? My sentiments. British public won't pay 

 to be choked with stinks one moment and shut up like 

 electricity t' next. Failver ? Quite c'rect." 



Meanwhile the guests of the Motor-car Club were 

 breakfasting at the Hotel Metropole, where appropriate 

 speeches were made, the Earl of Winchilsea concluding 

 his remarks with the dramatic production of a red 

 flag, which, amid applause, he tore in half, to symbolise 

 the passing of the old restrictions. 



There had been fifty-four entries for this triumphal 

 procession, but not more than thirty-three cars put- 

 in an appearance. It is significant of the vast progress 

 made since then that no car present was more than 

 6 h.-p., and that all, except the Bollee three-wheeled 

 car, were precisely what they were frequently styled, 

 " horseless carriages," vehicles built on traditional 

 lines, from which the horses and the customary shafts 



