e understood that, generally speaking, the drivers are very
good-natured and obliging, and the passengers very accommodating to each
other, and submitting with a good grace to what cannot be ameliorated.

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Note 1. Miss Martineau in her work speaks of that most _delightful_ of
all conveyances--an American stage-coach; but Miss M is so very peculiar
in her ideas, that I am surprised at nothing that she says. I will,
however, quote the Reverend Mr Reid against her:--

"I had no sooner begun to enter the coach than splash went my foot in
mud and water. I exclaimed with surprise. `Soon be dry, sir,' was the
reply; while he withdrew the light; that I might not explore the cause
of complaint. The fact was, that the vehicle, like the hotel and
steam-boat, was not water-tight, and the rain had found an entrance.
There was, indeed, in this coach, as in most others, a provision in the
bottom, of holes, to let off both water and dirt; but here the dirt had
become mud, and thickened about the orifices, so as to prevent escape.
I found I was the only passenger; the morning was damp and chilly; the
state of the coach added to the sensation; and I eagerly looked about
for some means of protection. I drew up the wooden windows; out of five
small panes of glass in the sashes three were broken. I endeavoured to
secure the curtains; two of them had most of the ties broken, and
flapped in one's face. There was no help in the coach, so I looked to
myself. I made the best use I could of my garments, and put myself as
snugly as I could in the corner of a stage meant to accommodate nine
persons. My situation just then was not among the most cheerful. I
could see nothing; every where I could feel the wind drawn in upon me;
and as for sounds I had the calls of the driver, the screeching of the
wheels, and the song of the bull-frog for my entertainment."--Rev Mr
Reid's Tour, vol. I, page 100.--Very delightful, indeed!

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Note 2. This spirit of accommodation produces what would at first
appear to be rudeness, but is not intended for it. When you travel, or
indeed when walking the streets in the Western country, if you have a
cigar in your mouth, a man will come up--"Beg pardon, stranger," and
whips your cigar out of your mouth, lights his own, and then returns
yours. I thought it rather