ON THE BOX 223 



villaofe about two miles south of Godalmino;, I met the 

 down coach, and, after j^artakiag of some refreshment, 

 each driver turned back. My time of arrival at Ports- 

 mouth was seven o'clock in the evening — so that the 

 hours were about the best that could be chosen ; and 

 consequently, as the roads were very good, though 

 rouo-h, the work was light. 



To make use of an old simile, like a child with a new 

 toy, I w^as pleased for a Avhile. There is something — but 

 what it is I never could discover — that induces your 

 companion on the box — should you have one — to enter 

 into conversation ; and that not always upon genei'al 

 subjects, but upon something appertaining to his own 

 profession, or his family, his birthplace, or a scene in 

 which he himself has played a prominent part. He will 

 describe a law-suit, a speech in parliament, his intro- 

 duction at Court, his first appearance at the fives-court, 

 the management of his tenants, his travels abroad, or the 

 number of his pheasants. 



Such topics would at once announce to vou that your 

 companion was an aristocrat of the highest order, and 

 you would listen with profound attention to the many 

 wonders he was condescending to unfold to you. But 

 there were persons of all grades, whose profession and 

 station in life you could readily ascertain from their 

 conversation. 



It is said of Sheridan, the great wit, orator, poet, 

 and playwright, that he once made a bet with one of 

 those exalted members of the senate with whom he then 

 frec|uently associated, that he would tell any man's 

 calling, however much a stranger he might be, by his 



