297 THE QUAKER. HAVING settled the business which had detained me for a few days in London, I was preparing to leave it on my return home, when, upon entering the straights of a coach-officeyard, my hackney-coach came in contact with an elegant drab-coloured chariot, which was at the same instant turning out of it; an occurrence which produced a strange discord of bitter and unharmonious sounds from the mouths of porters and `ostlers, and "all the other vagabond race that infest the purlieus of an inn." The abuse and rude violence of my Jehu, backed by the wanton insolence of others of his tribe, was met by the trim driver of the chariot with the. most unruffled meekness and command of temper; and it was only after some exertion on my own part, with the assistance and support of a police-officer, that the affray was terminated; but not before some injury had been done to one of the pannels of the private carriage. At length, however, the bustle subsided, and I took possession of my place in the coach which was to convey me into Essex, in which I found my fellow-travellers already seated, consisting of a Quaker, accompanied, apparently, by his wife and daughter. After we had got off the stones, by way of breaking the silence that prevailed amongst us, I addressed myself to my opposite companion:-"I hope, Sir, it was not your chariot, against which the unmannerly driver of my coach ran; for I was sorry to observe it somewhat injured by the collision." "Friend," said he, "I thank thee for thy kind solicitude. Our leathern conveniency, indeed, it was that thee saw; but as Joseph is safe and the damage trifling, it is not worth further consideration." Here we came to a pause, and I had ample time to survey my companions, and to enjoy my own visionary speculations about them. The man was of a placid countenance, with the strong expression of intelligence marked upon it. His daughter, who sat next him, was very fair to look upon, and had a pleasing appearance, and a fine figure withal; while her mother was one who also, in her day, and that not a very dis |