RAILROADS. 261 



ment on the journey down called forth 

 some of his hearty laughs. 



But to leave these vanities, and come at 

 once, however abruptly, to a conclusion, 

 the close of my career was fast approach- 

 ing. The sun of my employment, or, more 

 properly speaking, of my enjoyment, had 

 set when I left the London end, and I was 

 existing as it were in the twilight. Every- 

 body, great and small, rich and poor, was 

 lauding the train, and seemed to be proudly 

 anticipating the change from the slow old 

 coach, as by comparison it was, to the 

 splendid rail. The shades of night gathered 

 fast around me, and presently the curtain 

 dropped, and extinguished my calling for 

 ever. 



