PREFACE. xiii 



of the road, the Continental rule of the road is most perplex- 

 ing, since all one's former habits have to be reversed. In 

 England, 



The law of the road is a paradox quite ; 



In riding or driving along, 

 If you go to the left you are sure to go right. 



If you go to the right you go wrong. 



But on the Continent it is difficult to say where you would 

 go ; if you followed these directions, you would most certainly 

 come to grief. 



I have spoken of civilisation. I would even go so far a's to 

 say that in a land which is admitted to be civilised there are 

 degrees of civilisation — some parts are more civilised than 

 others ; in like manner, some persons are more civilised than 

 others. Not every part of, or every person in a civilised 

 country can be taken as an example of the extent of its 

 civilisation. In rural districts there is certainly a less amount 

 of civilisation than in cities and towns, and the primitive 

 or neglected condition of the roads is a strong indication that 

 the arts of civilisation are not cultivated in that particular 

 spot with the same energy and spirit as they are elsewhere. 



If they can afford to do so, persons of an influential posi- 

 tion in the country should endeavour, as far as they are able, 

 to improve the condition of the district in which they live, 

 that it may not be said to lack civilisation, although, perhaps, 

 that word might not be used to describe its condition. In 

 fact, they should endeavour to improve it in such a manner 

 that it may compare favourably with other districts having the 

 same natural advantages or disadvantages, rather than permit 

 it to assume a neglected appearance, which gives strangers 

 the impression that it has not shaken itself free from the 

 fetters of a primitive and unenlightened age. 



Large landowners are generally in a position to do this ; 

 it is only their inclination that is wanting. In fact, every 

 one having a particle of influence can combine with his 

 neighbours in urging those who have the care of public 



