THE BROOD MARE. 171 



It is, however, difficult to imagine that the 

 same result can attend the development of 

 motor-traction upon the highways : though, 

 as we have suggested, it is impossible to 

 prognosticate with any certainty. It may 

 be there will be a reaction when the novelty 

 of the new mode of locomotion has worn ofP. 

 The bicycle seems already to be waning in 

 popularity as a pleasure conveyance, though 

 retained for use, and it may be the same 

 with the auto-motor. Travelling at an 

 extremely high rate of speed in a smelly 

 car, amid clouds of choking dust, and a self- 

 created whirlwind which necessitates an 

 almost Arctic outfit, may conceivably lose 

 its charm, and cause a reversion to the 

 pleasanter modes of our ancestors, who were 

 quite reasonably contented with, a slower 

 pace, which was not incompatible with enjoy- 

 ment of the surrounding scenery, combined 

 with the superior comfort of a well-horsed 

 vehicle, or the springy paces of a good hack. 



