" ELASTIC FROM HER AIRY TREAD." 299 



and can form about us correct an idea of the country 

 he passes through. 



Oh, the delight of a fine morning in days gone by 

 when, intending to go by the Telegraph, the Express, 

 the Tally-ho, or the Tantivy, the soft and pretty voice 

 of the more pretty maid awoke us from dreams, 

 perchance of azure eyes or raven locks, with " Your 

 warm water and five o'clock, sir," — an attention she 

 coquettishly assured each traveller (who passed a 

 compliment to her vanity and an extra shilling to her 

 pocket) was only shown to the chosen few. She trips 

 across the room, and well she kens the meaning of 

 the look that follows a figure many a courtly dame 

 would give her thousands to possess. Down, down 

 rebellious thoughts, if any such arise, and, like un- 

 bidden visions, they sometimes would. That sly and 

 roguish smile was well reserved to the moment when 

 the door was closing. Our guardian angel ordered 

 that it should be so, and " Being gone, I am a man 

 again." 



Then no bleak and cheerless platform awaited us 

 starving with cold while our conveyance is preparing. 

 No, Boots, the indefatigable Boots had taken care of 

 the right sort. " Let them-'ere breakfast where or 

 when they will, I've made all right tor you, sir." This 

 is something better than companies' servants. I always 

 hated a company's coach where " no fees to servants " 

 prepared me for a dogged reception till it was known 

 I set such rules at defiance. 



And then the " Now, if yoic please, sir," from Jem 

 the guard brought Boots with our coat and comforter. 

 "What do you take this morning, Jem ?" prevents 

 all danger of luggage left behind. " One minute, 

 coachman, till I look at your team," told as plain as 



