W. H. Smith, whose establishment in the Strand supplements the Post Office in the distribution of newspapers throughout the country. In making our lowest bow to this new slave of the lamp that has been enlisted in our service, we may observe that, unlike steam, it cannot at any time become our master, or bring disaster where it was only intended to serve.
THE PILLION.
(Concluded from page 108.)
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Like all other partnerships, though in a greater degree than most, the pleasure of riding double was dependent upon being suitably matched. Nothing, for instance, could look more incongruous than a large woman seated on a pillion behind a little man, especially as the thick cushion, provided for her use, was always much higher than the saddle before it. A boy was sometimes sent to escort a portly matron in this way, of which a curious instance occurred under the observation of a friend of mine. She had been struck with the length of time that a horse remained at a gate upon the road near her residence, and looking out more intently to ascertain the cause, she perceived a large female-figure seated on a pillion behind; but, to all appearance, a vacant saddle in front. On further investigation, however, she discovered that an extremely little boy was stretching himself downwards to open the gate, but in vain, the horse being an animal of more than usual height. The majestic dame, however, was not one to be baffled by a difficulty of this kind; so, reaching out her powerful arm, she held the little boy by one leg while he unfastened the gate, thus securing his safe reinstatement in the saddle.
Scenes of a similar kind to this were by no means unfrequent at that time of the year, when servants in the North and East Riding of Yorkshire changed their places. It was a custom of old standing in the agricultural parts of that county, for all servants to enjoy one week of entire liberty, to return to their homes, visit their friends, or do what they liked; so that, whether they went to new situations or not, they all left the old one to take care of itself, during the whole week at Martinmas. In addition to this, the women all expected to be fetched to their places—boxes, bundles, and all—holding out under all circumstances against walking, or going by themselves without conveyance or escort. Thus, where the women servants were numerous, and the places wide apart, the riding about with pillions created quite a stir in the country; and the arrival of each with her bundle on her lap—or perhaps her bandbox there, and the bundle on the arm of the man or boy—was a very dignified, as well as interesting occasion.
I remember a circumstance connected with this mode of transit for female servants, which exceeded most things I ever met with for coolness, or, if one might choose to call it so, for heroism; and indeed, there can be little doubt but that the word heroism has often been used with no more legitimate application, for how much of what people call daring is, in reality, like that which I am about to describe—nothing but ignorance?
