the cage or lock-up,
outside of which was the village constable and his assistants, two or
three labourers sworn in for the occasion. The village consisted of one
long, straggling street of small low cottages and a few mean shops,
hardly a good house, saving the Inns, consisting of the "Angel," the
"Greyhound," and the "Cock." The two latter were large coaching
stations, the "Cock," with a big open space in front. The villagers were
making their harvest by having tables outside and selling milk in small
yellow mugs about the size of a jam pot at a penny each, and small loaves
with currants and home-made cakes. Outside the "Cock" was a Punch and
Judy performing to an admiring crowd, and by the toll-gate at the corner
of the Cheam Road was the first breakdown. An old landau with eight
occupants, drawn by a big cart horse, had parted right in half and shot
all its contents into the road, and a general squabble commenced,
especially among the ladies who, according to their account, had
prophecied the disaster at starting. But the matter was soon settled as
with willing hands the broken carriage was moved into a field by the
roadside and they made themselves comfortable by falling to on the
provisions, and I left them having a picnic in the broken vehicle.

Then along the road till you come to a long open common or waste land
covered with rushes, grass and coarse scrubby growth to another
toll-gate, of which I think I counted seven.

CHAPTER 11.--On the Downs.

At eleven I turned down a lane about a mile before you get to the town,
and over a stile and through corn-fields by a path that brought you to
the Downs. At the bottom of the hill there was a large and busy crowd at
that time in the morning although but a few visitors had arrived. The
Grand Stand was there and the Enclosure, although very much smaller than
at present. Tents and booths covered the ground extending at least
one-third of the extent of the course, with the signs of well-known
London taverns, long booths, fitted as stables with livery stable-keepers
with familiar names attached. Boxing booths, single-stick and
quarter-staff and wrestling booths.

One large refreshment booth had up for a sign in large letters--"Dan
Regan, the Cambridge Gyp. Refreshments and good accommodation for man
and beast. Palliasse prostration with matin peck, two-and-sixpence," and
appeared to be doing a good trade. The accommodation a shakedown on some
plank