230 EACECOURSE AND COVERT SIDE. 



ignorant), the seers end with a triumphant 

 assertion that '' there's no getting over form like 

 that!" 



The fine weather is the one thing wanting to 

 make enjoyable the excursion to see these 

 various certainties come ofi", and by the time we 

 are under way it is bright and blue overhead, 

 while even Surrey roads cannot be dusty after 

 the late drenchings they have had. There is a 

 stir in the streets, and loungers on the pavement 

 turn and watch the traps, hansoms, drags, 

 phaetons, and conveyances generally which have 

 a racing look about them. A couple of postilions 

 in blue jackets leave no mistake about their 

 destination, and when Wandsworth is passed, 

 signs and tokens of the Derby Day begin to 

 grow frequent. The pleasant-looking name of a 

 popular firm, renowned for luncheons, is painted 

 on many a hamper that swings beneath many a 

 carriage ; a waggonette conveying a party of 

 sportive creatures with pink veils round their 

 hats is seen in the distance, and looks like an 

 itinerant crop of rhododendrons ; a tax-cart fall 

 of niggers betokens that minstrelsy will not be 

 wanting ; and when a gentleman who has been 

 copiously refreshing himself at a public-house 

 takes hold of the reins and drives incontinently 

 into a ditch, turning his friends comfortably over 



