inventions of late years
cannot fail in due time of producing that perfectibility, the great
consummation denominated the Millennium. Of all other improvements,
perhaps the most conspicuous are in the powers of motion as connected
with the mode and means of travelling. With what astonishment, were it
possible to reanimate the clay-cold relics, would our ancestors survey
the accelerated perfection to which coaching is brought in the
present day! The journey from London to Brighton, for instance, was,
half-a-century since, completed at great risk in twenty-four hours, over
a rough road that threatened destruction at every turn; and required the
most laborious exertion to reach the summit of precipices that are now,
like a ruined spendthrift, cut through and through: the declivities
too have disappeared, and from its level face, the whole country would
appear to have undergone another revolutionary change, even to the
horses, harness, and the driver of the vehicle. In such a country as
this, where a disposition to activity and a rambling propensity to seek
their fortunes forms one of the most distinguishing characteristics, it
was to be expected that travelling would be brought to great perfection;
but the most sanguine in this particular could never have anticipated
the rapidity with which we are now whirled from one end of the kingdom
to the other; fifty-two miles in five hours and a quarter, five changes
of horses, and the same coachman to whisk you back again to supper over
the same ground, and within the limits of the same day. No _ruts
or quarterings_ now--all level as a bowling-green--half-bred blood
cattle--bright brass harness--_minute and a half time_ to change--and a
well-bred gentlemanly fellow for a coachman, who amuses you ~276~~with a
volume of anecdotes, if you are fortunate enough to secure the box-seat,
or touches his hat with the _congee_ of a courtier, as he pockets your
tributary shilling at parting. No necessity either for settling your
worldly affairs, or taking an affectionate farewell of a long string of
relations before starting; travelling being now brought to a security
unparalleled, and letters patent having passed the great seal of England
to ensure, by means of _safety coaches_, the lives of her rambling
subjects. There requires but one other invention to render the whole
perfect, and that, if we may believe the newspapers, is very near
completion--a coach to go without horses: to this I beg l