Then how jovial and pleasant it would appear
to see perched up in front a John Bull-looking fellow in a snow-white
jacket, with a night-cap and apron of the same, a carving-knife in a
case by his side, and a poker in his hand to stir up the steam-furnace,
or singe a highwayman's wig, should any one attack the coach; this
indeed would be an improvement worthy of the age, and call forth
the warmest and most grateful tributes of applause from all ranks in
society. For myself, I have always endeavoured to read "men more
than books," and have ever found an endless diversity of character,
a never-failing source of study and amusement in a trip to a
watering-place: perched on the top in summer, or pinched inside in
winter of a stage-coach, here, at leisure and unknown, I can watch
the varied groups of all nations as they roam about for profit or for
pleasure, and note their varieties as they pass away like the retiring
landscape, never perhaps to meet the eye again.
The excursion to Brighton was no sooner finally arranged, than declining
the proffered seat in D'Almaine's travelling carriage, I packed up my
portmanteau, and gave directions to my servant to book me outside at the
Golden Cross, by the seven o'clock morning coach, for Brighton; taking
care to secure the box-seat, by the payment of an extra shilling to the
porter.
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