tance the dim blue towers, or the graceful spire, of some old
cathedral, and soon the spreading causeways announced their approach to
some provincial capital. The coachman flanks his leaders, who break into
a gallop; the guard sounds his triumphant bugle; the coach bounds
over the noble bridge that spans a stream covered with craft; public
buildings, guildhalls, and county gaols rise on each side. Rattling
through many an inferior way they at length emerge into the High Street,
the observed of all observers, and mine host of the Red Lion, or the
White Hart, followed by all his waiters, advances from his portal with a
smile to receive the 'gentlemen passengers.'

'The coach stops here half an hour, gentlemen: dinner quite ready!'

'Tis a delightful sound. And what a dinner! What a profusion of
substantial delicacies! What mighty and iris-tinted rounds of beef! What
vast and marble-veined ribs! What gelatinous veal pies! What colossal
hams! Those are evidently prize cheeses! And how invigorating is
the perfume of those various and variegated pickles! Then the bustle
emulating the plenty; the ringing of bells, the clash of thoroughfare,
the summoning of ubiquitous waiters, and the all-pervading feeling
of omnipotence, from the guests, who order what they please, to the
landlord, who can produce and execute everything they can desire. 'Tis
a wondrous sight. Why should a man go and see the pyramids and cross the
desert, when he has not beheld York Minster or travelled on the Road!
Our little Ferdinand amid all this novelty heartily enjoyed himself,
and did ample justice to mine host's good cheer. They were soon again
whirling along the road; but at sunset, Ferdinand, at the instance of
Glastonbury, availed himself of his inside place, and, wearied by the
air and the excitement of the day, he soon fell soundly asleep.

Several hours had elapsed, when, awaking from a confused dream in which
Armine and all he had lately seen were blended together, he found his
fellow-travellers slumbering, and the mail dashing along through the
illuminated streets of a great city. The streets were thickly thronged.
Ferdinand stared at the magnificence of the shops blazing with lights,
and the multitude of men and vehicles moving in all directions. The
guard sounded his bugle with treble energy, and the coach suddenly
turned through an arched entrance into the court-yard of an
old-fashioned inn. His fellow-passengers started and rubbed their ey