CONN AUGHT. 15 



" I embraced his offer " ; and here I am fairly over the 

 border, and safely deposited in the kingdom of Con- 

 naught, without injury or interruption worth recording. 



On the subject of my travels I intend to be laconic, 

 inasmuch as, with a temporary intervention of steam, 

 I have resided in the royal mail since I left the lamps 

 of London. I believe I am not exactly cut out for a 

 traveller ; I am incurious as to names of guards and 

 coachmen — never inquire after their wives, or take the 

 population of their famiUes ; I generally sleep from the 

 start to the close of the stage. I did observe that the 

 colour of corn was nearly alike in both countries ; and 

 remarked, further, that English drivers seemed partial 

 to ale and overalls, and Irish ones preferred frieze coats 

 and naked whiskey. 



And now you shall have the particulars of my escape ; 

 and, since the times of the Anabasis, or the more recent 

 exploits of Lavalette and Ikey Solomons, never was 

 retreat effected in more masterly style. Candour 

 obliges me to admit that mine was unaccompanied by 

 sound of trumpet, or other " pomp and circumstance 

 of war " ; and rather resembled the hasty retirement 

 of a detected thief from a tabernacle than a bold opera- 

 tion in noonday, and in the face of the enemy. But 

 let that pass. I embarked a miscellaneous cargo of 

 guns, dogs, and fishing-tackle, under the surveillance 

 of a trusty servant, on board a Dublin steamer, and the 

 following evening started quietly for ** the Head " ; 

 leaving directions with mine host in Grafton Street to 

 acquaint Lord Leatherby, and all suspicious-looking 

 inquirers, that I had departed for Constantinople, and 

 that any commands for me must be forwarded, under 

 cover, to the Sublime Porte. 



