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cloak-bag a much more eligible way of travelling ; and my opinion is strengthened by the practice of the ablest itinerants of this age, who seem to take. more delight in beholding their cloak-bags behind their servants, than in placing them so near their own persons.

Whether he mentions this way of travelling as his real sentiments, or only in the vein and style of a poet, (whom we seldom see over crowded with attendants) is not very material; it serves, however to shew, that the ancients approved mightily of journeying on horseback; and if any persons doubt whether the moderns have not the same kind inclinations to riding, I here take the liberty to invite them to one of Mr. Legg's forerooms, at the Swan, at Tottenham-cross, any Saturday, where, besides a very good entertainment, they will have ocular demonstration, what regard is paid to equitation by the famous metropolis of Great Britain.

From what I have already said, you may infer, that I would have the traveller use the horse rather than the coach or waggon; but before I suffer him to set forwards, permit me to lay down an admonition or two, in relation to his garb, and principally as to the colour of it.

I therefore, in short, recommend to him above all things, a red coat, or at least a blue coat trimmed with gold; I mean the close bodied, not the horseman's coat; but I insist mostly on the red, and that on a three-fold account.

And first, I do it on a religious one, as it pre

vents a great deal of idle cursing and swearing. Chamberlains, ostlers, and others, obey the first word of command from a red coat, when a gentleman in any other colour may swear his eyes out, ere he can get a clean pair of sheets, or his horse rubbed down.

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And secondly, I recommend a red coat, as it is a never-failing procurer of honour and respect to the wearer. When you are addressed to in your red, 'tis your honour, at every word; as indeed it seldom is less than your worship, when in your trimmed blue; on a supposition without doubt, that even the last coat ought to contain nothing less than a justice of peace, if not a high sheriff, or some great officer of his majesty's worshipful trained-bands.

The third advantage from a red coat is, that it saves a great deal of money. Servants to public inns are now a days grown a burthen to travellers, the weight of which is in some degree taken off by a red coat. I have known the pertest chambermaid and the surliest ostler shew as much outward satisfaction at the sight of a sixpence from a red coat, as they have done at half-a-crown from any other colour. I say outward, because I am inclinable to think there is some considerable difference in their inward joy.

It is now high time to imagine the traveller to be fully equipt and on his road; where it may not be amiss to remind him that he has it now in his power to shew a great deal of good breeding; which consists only in giving the road, when any

one meets him. This observation is so universally approved of, that it is now become a proverb; and when we resolve to gratify any one to the utmost of his desire, we do it effectually, when we give him his own way.

When the traveller alights at his inn, it is very natural for him to think of something to eat. But because the generality of the larders on the road contain nothing more than a bit of mutton, or peradventure a fowl or two, the young traveller will find it difficult how to conduct aright in such a case. I will tell him my way, and leave him to follow or reject it, as he pleases.

My method then is, to forbear laying open (more than needs must) the poverty of the inn, by asking unnecessary questions about partridges, wild ducks and carps; for after naming twenty different delicacies, the enquiry usually ends in a neck of mutton and broth. So that, without more ado, I at once pitch on a piece of mutton and fowls; and by a peculiar art, which I have attained, of making myself easy under all circumstances, I so far diversify my mutton and fowls, that I have at every stage sufficient variety and different dishes. For instance, in one of my late excursions westward, I had at Harford-bridge, neck of mutton and broth; couple of fowls roasted.

Andover, boiled fowls and bacon; neck of mutton roasted.

Blandford, boiled neck of mutton and potatoes; couple of fowls broiled.

Axminster, couple of fowls fricasseed; neck of

mutton in steaks.

Thus I could have rang changes on my neck of mutton and fowls to the Land's End, had not Exeter interposed, and kindly regaled me with fish, wild fowl, and an excellent sirloin of beef.

But as eating without drinking will never satisfy a traveller, I shall close my present remarks with a brief observation or two on liquids, and principally on claret; which I always behold with a vast deal of pleasure, and take to be a very delightful, wholesome beverage. And from my own experience I recommend it to all my brother travellers, as the best allayer of thirst, the best restorer of decayed spirits, the best incentive to joy and gladness; and a never failing procurer of rest and sleep, when taken in due doses, and often repeated.

Port makes a man heavy, and consequently is very improper for a traveller.

I often receive great comfort from a tankard of well brewed beer; this is chiefly by way of change and soiling, it will not do for a constancy.

Cyder likewise is what I now and then delight to take a glass of; but ever since that curious prier into nature, and my very good friend, Ben Frett, has in a very learned epistle informed me of the many bad effects this searching liquor has on the eyes, the voice, limbs, &c. I dare not be too busy with it.

I have a great deal more to offer, in relation to airing of sheets, choice of beds, tricks and

roguery of ostlers, &c. But will not too much anticipate a regular treatise, which I have now in hand on the subject of travelling; and which is to bear the title of the Present State of Travelling, and of all the Inns of Great Britain. In this book I shall be under a necessity of informing my readers what reception is to be met with at every inn, &c. consequently of giving it a good or bad character. I shall therefore expect to be applied to in the most feeling manner, by all the innholders of Great Britain, who desire my favourable report. For though no bribes or rewards can make me deviate from truth, yet truth (as well as all things else) has two handles; and I have it in my power to lay hold, of which I please.

Yours,

J. G.

The American device for the great seal of South Carolina was-A palmetto tree, supported by twelve spears, which, with the tree, are bound together in one hand, on which is written quis separabit? On the tree are two shields; the one inscribed March 26; the other July 4; and at the foot of the palmetto an English oak fallen; its root above the ground, its branches lopt. Reverse. Hope advancing over a rock, which is rugged and steep behind her, but smooth, and of a gentle ascent before. The way is strewed with the arms of an enemy. She holds a laurel in her right hand, and has a view of the sun rising.

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