230 
ble how fast one travels on this route and how quick they change 
horses. I was by chance enabled to retain the chaise all the way 
from Oxford to Hounslow. The moment I arrived at a post- 
house, a servant came instantly to demand, whether I wished to 
stop or proceed; no sooner did I answer in the affirmative, than 
he would call out for horses, and the whole proceeding lasted at 
the utmost one minute. The leader was brought out, ready har¬ 
nessed, and put to; the postillion followed on the saddle-horse 
from the stable, and remained in the saddle while they were 
gearing the horses; the stable boy then requested his fee, and off 
we went. During this journey, I was only detained three mi¬ 
nutes at each post. They charge for carriage and horses, eighteen 
pence a mile, and the drink-money, three pence per mile. Since 
my journeying in this country three years previous, postage had 
been raised three pence. 
The road lay through a cultivated and woody country, and we 
traversed several rising grounds. We passed many fine large 
country-seats, surrounded by extensive parks. From Salt Hill, 
which is a very pretty little place, there is on the right, a charm¬ 
ing view of the castle of Windsor, two miles distant, on the lofty 
round tower of which was displayed the royal standard as a sign 
that the king was there. The castle has really a very imposing 
appearance. The large Gothic church of Eton College, recalled 
unpleasant recollections to my mind. For on my visit to this 
college, three years past, they showed me on a shelf a num¬ 
ber of elegantly tied, long birch rods, with which youth, 
engaged there in study, are flogged, and for the supply of 
which, a regular contract is made with the steward. In a hand¬ 
some village, called Slough, stands the dwelling of the cele¬ 
brated German astronomer, Herschel; there is still to be seen in 
the garden, the stand supporting the telescope, forty-eight feet 
long, by five feet in diameteh, with which Herschel made his 
great astronomical discoveries. Hounslow is a charming town, 
and very lively, owing to its proximity to London. The number 
of stages and other carriage, which I met with in this neighbour¬ 
hood, is scarcely to be credited. This concourse of vehicles, 
and afterwards the multitude of country-seats, which follow one 
another in rapid succession, together with the chain of towns, 
that continually present themselves, indicated clearly, that I was 
approaching the greatest city in Europe, and perhaps in the 
world. I remarked in Hammersmith and in Kensington, a con¬ 
siderable number of new and handsomely built houses, that had 
been erected within the last three years. We drove through Hyde 
Park into Piccadilly street, and thence into Albemarle street, 
where I found excellent quarters in Grillion’s hotel. 
I made a stay of six days in London. To speak of the 
