CHAPTER V.

PEDESTRIAN GLEANINGS.

OUR travelling friend has partially changed his plan. Although in many respects pleasanter, journeying on horseback does not answer so well the purpose that he is more than ever bent on accomplishing, and he has adopted the pedestrian style, with such occasional recurrence to public conveyances as circumstances may point out. Equipped as a way-faring man, with nothing to denote the assumption of a higher rank in society than that of some respectable yeoman, or trader in a small way, with a wallet on his back, a good club-stick in his hand, and in his pocket the little pamphlet presented by the farmer, he has already gained access to the confidential opinions of several who would have carefully locked them up

from the fashionably dressed horseman of a former week. In point of amusement the exchange has been advantageous; for almost every day brings him into contact with some odd character; or rather with some odd variation of what he finds to be the universal character of the present race-money-getters, where money is to be got; and money-hunters whether it is to be had

or no.

Until now, Philander was not aware to how great an extent gain had become the god of his countrymen. Educated among a class whose incomes are principally derived from the hoards of a former generation, or from landed property, with the management of which nobody has less to do than the actual proprietors; and placed among official men, in a government department, not so much for emolument as for the insight that he would thereby acquire into affairs where he might ere long assume an active part, the young man had as much to learn as though he had lately arrived from some foreign shore, where Englishmen were strangers; with the exception only of his own especial class. This is not unfrequently the case indeed the contrary is rather the exception than the rule; for just as eagerly as the many pursue gain, do the few follow amusement;

and should the two paths happen at some point to cross each other, the junction is momentary ; the divergence immediate, wide, and lasting. In fact, a prospect of being ultimately and abidingly enrolled among the few, is the principle on which the many keep themselves so perseveringly apart. There is, to be sure, a middle path, once much frequented, and by perhaps a happier branch of the great national family than either of the other two; but it is of late years well nigh deserted ; travellers on the speculating line of road are better pleased to toil and bustle there until they have realized means to leap at once into the glittering path that accommodates only affluent loungers.

We are now to rejoin our tourist, and find him pursuing his way, in conversation with one whose rude exterior, loud rough voice, and swaggering gait bespeak little attractive in the man; but Philander has an object in view, and neglects nothing that may aid him in acquiring information he had given a trifle to the fellow, who pleaded loss of work, and poverty resulting from it; and then ascertained that he was one of a large body of excavators on a railroad, who had turned out for higher wages; and assaulted those who engaged in their stead, for which several of

them, among whom Philander had no doubt was his companion, had been committed to gaol for some weeks. Here was a case of illegal combination, with its natural consequences; and he wished to discover whether it had any connexion with the disregard of the Sabbath. You tell me,' said he, 'that you worked from day-break on Monday morning till late on Saturday night, with little intermission. Separated as you must have been on the line, how did you find time to arrange your plans for the strike?'

'Why, sir, where there's a will there's a way. We had meal times, and night time, and all Sunday.'

Then the day that was given you for rest, you used for a different purpose?'

Oh, we took plenty of rest, and had our pot of porter at the skittle ground, over a good game. We wouldn't have worked on Sunday.'

Here was a point unexpectedly mooted, the importance of which our friend clearly comprehended, but where he by no means so clearly saw his way. The principle seemed to be fully recognized by his companion, that labour was to cease on the Sabbath; and how stoutly he was prepared to maintain that principle, both his look and tone indicated. But again, it was clear

that the only servitude from which he claimed exemption, was that imposed by his fellow-man; he had served a worse master for a worse purpose, by gambling, by debauchery, and by arranging the details of a violent outrage afterwards committed. In short, he had. remembered the Sabbath-day, but not to keep it holy. After walking silently for a minute or two, Philander, who would not willingly have committed himself so far where he was known, assumed the monitor, and said, 'You must be aware, my man, that God did not set apart the seventh day for such purposes as you describe.' A sullen glance of suspicion was the only answer; and he continued, Do you always pass the day in that way?'

I do as my betters do; that is to say, I please myself.'

'It pleases many among your betters and among your equals too, to worship God, and to be quiet on the Sabbath.'

'May be: every one to his taste, and so they still please themselves, you see. But as to my

betters, were you ever in London, Sir?'

• Yes, I have been there.'

If all that wear better clothes are my betters,' said the man bitterly, you may see how they are employed, by taking a trip to Battersea, or to