SKILL. 29 



able living in the neighbourhood of 

 Downham, in Norfolk. On my first 

 having the pleasure of his company on 

 the box, which he always, it appeared, 

 took care to secure, and when we were 

 both total strangers to each other, he 

 did not speak or make any observation 

 in passing through the streets till just 

 at the turn from St. Paul's churchyard 

 into Cheapside, something occurred in 

 the conflux of vehicles that called up 

 the exercise of all my skill as an artist 

 to avoid an imminent collision. The 

 quickness and precision I displayed elicited 

 his unqualified approbation. 



"Well done!" he cried. "You are a 

 perfect master of your art, Sir, I can see. 

 Where did you first learn to drive ? " 



Having briefly answered him, he forth- 

 with commenced a dialogue which con- 

 tinued almost without intermission the 

 whole of the journey, in which he de- 



