1HE TRAVELLER'S ORACLE 141 



in his mind whether he would prefer almost certain 

 suffocation, or the cost of three shillings, the price of a 

 pane of glass. If he made up his mind to risk the 3s., 

 he was told to knock his stick "accidentally" against the 

 window so that the glass was shattered. He would then 

 get the fresh air for which his lungs craved, and test to 

 the full his fellow travellers' tempers. 



Undoubtedly a night passed in a coach conduced 

 to irritability, as Dr. Syntax found when he decided 

 to leave his patient man Grizzle behind and return to 

 London by stage-coach: 



"A horn now told the near approach 



Of some convenient, rapid coach; 



And soon a vehicle and four 



Appear'd at the Red Lion door: 



Into his place the Do6lor pounc'd: 



The Coachman smack'd, and off they bounc'd. 



The scene around was quite composing, 



For his "companions all were dosing; 



So he forsooth conceiv'd it best 



To close his lids, and try to rest. 



When the morn dawn'd, he turned an eye 



Upon his slumb'ring company: 



A red-faced man, who snor'd and snorted, 



A lady, with both eyes distorted, 



And a young Miss of pleasing mien, 



With all the life of gay sixteen. 



A sudden jolt their slumbers^^broke; 



They started all, and all awoke; 



When Surly-boots yawn'd wide, and spoke, 



'We move,' said he, 'confounded slow!' 



'La, Sir,' cried Miss, 'how fast we go!' 



