Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXII. RETROSPECTIVE. 'A Bright morning towards the end of May; a coach, primrose colour; a team of two powerful bay wheelers and blood greys at lead, all with plenty in front of the collar, and bone to support them; the whole turn-out having a lot of sort about it, thoroughly bang-up in fact. Throw your fastidious eye over the horses, leathers, and coach, and all you can say is capital! 'With truth also can you say--'Here's to the shape that is shown on the near side, Here's to the blood on the off, Sir; Limbs with no check to the freedom of stride, Wind without whistle or cough, Sir. 'A full way bill, " time up" from the guard, "all right" from coachee to the horsekeepers, the horse-cloths being pulled off at this signal, the traces tightened, as with one move, bringing the swingle bars up with a jerk, polechains rattle to each step, and then "with elbows squared, and with wrists turned down, he sends his tits along." The " three feet of tin" sounds its seven notes musically, and with "all quality, pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious roads," away we go rumbling over the London stones for our first stage out. 'Amongst all the contrasts that are exhibited in ordinary life, few are more striking than what is presented by London at the same hour morning and evening. 'At six in the morning everything is comparatively still. The chimes of the different churches appear to be louder, only because they are more distinctly heard. Co vent Garden market-men and basket-women are pouring in with their vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The battered beau is observed steering homewards but half-sobered, and one would think entirely wretched; while the solitary hackney cab is seen here and there passing sleepily along with a cargo of prime...
