by an immense brown horse, displaying great symmetry of bone. An

hostler stood near, holding by the bridle another immense horse -

apparently a near relative of the animal in the chaise - ready saddled

for Mr Winkle.

'Bless my soul!' said Mr Pickwick, as they stood upon the pavement

while the coats were being put in. 'Bless my soul! who's to drive? I

never thought of that.'

Oh! you, of course,' said Mr Tupman.

Of course,' said Mr Snodgrass.

I!' exclaimed Mr Pickwick.

Not the slightest fear, Sir,' interposed the hostler. 'Warrant him quiet,

Sir; a hinfant in arms might drive him.'

He don't shy, does he?' inquired Mr Pickwick.

Shy, sir?-he wouldn't shy if he was to meet a vagin-load of monkeys

with their tails burned off.'

The last recommendation was indisputable. Mr Tupman and Mr

Snodgrass got into the bin; Mr Pickwick ascended to his perch, and

deposited his feet on a floor-clothed shelf, erected beneath it for that

purpose.

Now, shiny Villiam,' said the hostler to the deputy hostler, 'give the

gen'lm'n the ribbons.' 'Shiny Villiam' - so called, probably, from his

sleek hair and oily countenance - placed the reins in Mr Pickwick's left

hand; and the upper hostler thrust a whip into his right.

'Wo-o!' cried Mr Pickwick, as the tall quadruped evinced a decided

inclination to back into the coffee-room window. 'Wo-o!' echoed Mr

Tupman and Mr Snodgrass, from the bin. 'Only his playfulness,

gen'lm'n,' said the head hostler encouragingly; 'jist kitch hold on him,

Villiam.' The deputy restrained the animal's impetuosity, and the

principal ran to assist Mr Winkle in mounting.

T'other side, sir, if you please.'

Blowed if the gen'lm'n worn't a-gettin' up on the wrong side,'

whispered a grinning post-boy to the inexpressibly gratified waiter.

Mr Winkle, thus instructed, climbed into his saddle, with about as

much difficulty as he would have experienced in getting up the side of

a first-rate man-of-war.

The Pickwick Papers