KINGSTON. 279 



pike ; when the lessee, an old hand 

 hearing of the intended new start, from 

 which it was more than probable he 

 would be the only one to derive any 

 profit shut the gate, and planted a table, 

 loaded with wine and glasses, in the 

 centre of the road. There was no alter- 

 native ; and after doing due honour to his 

 generous spirit, we proceeded at a good 

 pace to the " King's Arms," at King- 

 ston, as this was to be the first and 

 principal house of call in the regular 

 way. My passengers all got down, while 

 I went a little farther to turn, which I 

 did in good style, and came back to the 

 door of the Inn. Here we stopped nearly 

 an hour, still imbibing. On remounting, 

 the coachmaker, an active, able young 

 man, said to the old gentleman 



" I'U sit on the box now." He got 

 up, while the other took his place on 

 the roof a most providential change for 



