SNOW-DRIFT. 21 



After stopping the following day in 

 London, I proceeded by the night-coach 

 to Horndean, from whence I had to walk 

 a mile up a narrow lane, into which 

 the snow had drifted, and had become 

 frozen in places, so that this became 

 really the most dangerous part of my long 

 and arduous journey ; for falling up to 

 my shoulders in the drift, I was only 

 extricated by some labouring men who 

 were going early to their work. Thus 

 I accomplished my task that is, had 

 travelled nearly 1,100 miles in eleven days, 

 and had been up seven nights out of 

 the eleven a feat not very common in 

 such an unpleasant season. 



This long frost, which lasted thirteen 

 weeks, and did not break up till the 

 last day in March, was followed by a 

 delightful spring and summer, which gave 

 additional enjoyment to the festivities and 

 rejoicings that took place all over the 



