and mend pots and pans by the wayside, and sleep under trees, and
see the dawn and the sunset every day above a new horizon. I think
I hear you say that it is a respectable position to drive an
omnibus? Very well. What right has he who likes it not, to keep
those who would like it dearly out of this respectable position?
Suppose a dish were not to my taste, and you told me that it was a
favourite amongst the rest of the company, what should I conclude
from that? Not to finish the dish against my stomach, I suppose.

Respectability is a very good thing in its way, but it does not
rise superior to all considerations. I would not for a moment
venture to hint that it was a matter of taste; but I think I will
go as far as this: that if a position is admittedly unkind,
uncomfortable, unnecessary, and superfluously useless, although it
were as respectable as the Church of England, the sooner a man is
out of it, the better for himself, and all concerned.



ON THE SAMBRE CANALISED



TO QUARTES


About three in the afternoon the whole establishment of the Grand
Cerf accompanied us to the water's edge. The man of the omnibus
was there with haggard eyes. Poor cage-bird! Do I not remember
the time when I myself haunted the station, to watch train after