acquaintances she is about to make.

CHAPTER XV. The Old Ladies

The above letter and conversation will show what our active Colonel's
movements and history had been since the last chapter in which they
were recorded. He and Clive took the Liverpool mail, and travelled from
Liverpool to Newcome with a post-chaise and a pair of horses,
which landed them at the King's Arms. The Colonel delighted in
post-chaising--the rapid transit through the country amused him and
cheered his spirits. Besides, had he not Dr. Johnson's word for it, that
a swift journey in a post-chaise was one of the greatest enjoyments in
life, and a sojourn in a comfortable inn one of its chief pleasures? In
travelling he was as happy and noisy as a boy. He talked to the waiters,
and made friends with the landlord; got all the information which he
could gather regarding the towns into which he came; and drove about
from one sight or curiosity to another with indefatigable good-humour
and interest. It was good for Clive to see men and cities; to visit
mills, manufactories, country seats, cathedrals. He asked a hundred
questions regarding all things round about him; and any one caring to
know who Thomas Newcome was, and what his rank and business, found no
difficulty in having his questions answered by the simple and kindly
traveller.

Mine host of the King's Arms, Mr. Taplow aforesaid, knew in five minutes
who his guest was, and the errand on which he came. Was not Colonel
Newcome's name painted on all his trunks and boxes? Was not his servant
ready to answer all questions regarding the Colonel and his son? Newcome
pretty generally introduced Clive to my landlord, when the latter
brought his guest his bottle of wine. With old-fashioned cordiality,
the Colonel would bid the landlord drink a glass of his own liquor, and
seldom failed to say to him, "This is my son, sir. We are travelling
together to see the country. Every English gentleman should see his own
country first, before he goes abroad, as we intend to do afterwards--to
make the Grand Tour. And I will thank you to tell me what there
is remarkable in your town, and what we ought to see--antiquities,
manufactures, and seats in the neighbourhood. We wish to see everything,
sir--everything. Elaborate diaries of these home tours are still
extant, in Clive's boyish manuscript and the Colonel's dashing
handwriting--quaint records of places visited, and alarming accounts of
inn bills paid."