❝all, friend,” said I," and if you are in want of com66 pany, I'll make one with all my heart. Open the "door; I hope the machine rides easy." "Oh! for that, sir, extremely easy." But still keeping the door shut, and measuring me with his eye, "Pray, sir, have 66 you no luggage? You seem to be a good-natured sort "of a gentleman; but I don't find you have got any "luggage, and I never permit any to travel with me but "such as have something valuable to pay for coach"hire.” Examining my pockets, I own I was not a little disconcerted at this unexpected rebuff; but considering that I carried a number of the Bee under my arm, I was resolved to open it in his eyes, and dazzle him with the splendour of the page. He read the title and contents, however, without any emotion, and assured me he had never heard of it before. "In short, friend," said he, now losing all his former respect, 66 you "must not come in. I expect better passengers; but, "as you seem a harmless creature, perhaps if there "be room left, I may let you ride a while for charity."

I now took my stand by the coachman at the door, and since I could not command a seat, was resolved to be as useful as possible, and earn by my assiduity what I could not by my merit.

The next that presented for a place was a most whimsical figure indeed. He was hung round with papers of his own composing, not unlike those who sing ballads in the streets, and came dancing up to the door with all the confidence of instant admittance. The volubility of his motion and address prevented my being able to read more of his cargo than the word Inspector, which was written in great letters at the top of some of the papers. He opened the coach-door himself without any ceremony, and was just slipping in, when the coachman, with as little ceremony, pulled him back. Our figure seemed perfectly angry at this repulse, and demanded gentleman's satisfaction.

"Lord, sir!" replied the coachman, " instead of proper luggage, by your bulk you seem loaded for a "West-India voyage. You are big enough with all (6 your papers to crack twenty stage-coaches. Excuse

me, indeed, sir, for you must not enter." Our figure now began to expostulate; he assured the coachman, that though his bagagge seemed so bulky, it was perfectly light, and that he would be contented with the smallest corner of room. But Jehu was inflexible, and the carrier of the Inspectors was sent to dance back again with all his papers fluttering in the wind. We expected to have no more trouble from this quarter, when in a few minutes the same figure changed his appearance, like Harlequin upon the stage, and with the same confidence again made his approaches, dressed in lace, and carrying nothing but a nosegay. Upon coming near, he thrust the nosegay to the coachman's nose, grasped the brass, and seemed now resolved to enter by violence. I found the struggle soon begin to grow hot, and the coachman who was a little old, unable to continue the contest; so, in order to ingratiate myself, I stept in to his assistance, and our united efforts sent our literary Proteus, though worsted, unconquered still, clear off, dancing a rigadoon, and smelling to his own nosegay.

The person, who after him appeared as candidate for a place in the stage, came up with an air not quite so confident, but somewhat however theatrical; and, instead of entering, made the coachman a very low bow, which the other returned, and desired to see his baggage; upon which he instantly produced some farces, a tragedy, and other miscellany productions. The coachman, casting his eye upon the cargo, assured him, at present he could not possibly have a place, but hoped in time he might aspire to one, as he seemed to have read in the book of nature, without a careful perusal of which none ever found entrance at the temple

of Fame. "What!" replied the disappointed poet, "shall my tragedy, in which I have vindicated the cause of liberty and virtue.......' "Follow nature," returned the other, " and never expect to find lasting "fame by topics which only please from their popula"rity. Had you been first in the cause of freedom, or "praised in virtue more than an empty name, it is pos"sible you might have gained admittance: but at pre“sent I beg, sir, you will stand aside for another gen❝tleman whom I see approaching."

This was a very grave personage, whom at some distance I took for one of the most reserved, and even disagreeable figures I had seen: but as he approached, his appearance improved, and, when I could distin-. guish him thoroughly, I perceived that, in spite of the severity of his brow, he had one of the most good-natured countenances that could be imagined. Upon coming to open the stage-door, he lifted a parcel of folios into the seat before him, but our inquisitorial coachman at once shoved them out again. "What! not take in my dictionary!" exclaimed the other, in

a rage.

"Be patient, sir," replied the coachman; "I have drove a coach, man and boy, these two thou"sand years; but I do not remember to have carried "above one dictionary during the whole time. That "little book which I perceive peeping from one of 66 your pockets, may I presume to ask what it con"tains?" "A mere trifle," replied the author, "it is "called "The Rambler." "The Rambler!" says the coachman, " I beg, sir, you'll take your place; I have "heard our ladies in the court of Apollo frequently " mention it with rapture; and Clio, who happens to "be a little grave, has been heard to prefer it to the "Spectator; though others have observed, that the "reflections, by being refined, sometimes become "minute."

This grave gentleman was scarcely seated, when another, whose appearance was something more modern, seemed willing to enter, yet afraid to ask. He carried in his hand a bundle of essays, of which the coachman was curious enough to enquire the contents. "These," replied the gentleman, "are rhapsodies "against the religion of my country." "And how (6 can you expect to come into my coach, after thus "chusing the wrong side of the question?" “ Ay, "but I am right," replied the other; " and if you "give me leave, I shall in a few minutes state the ar66 gument." "Right or wrong," said the coachman, "he who disturbs religion is a blockhead, and he shall 66 never travel in a coach of mine." "If then," said the gentleman, mustering up all his courage, " if I am "not to have admittance as an essayist, I hope I shall "not be repulsed as a historian; the last volume of my "history met with applause." "Yes," replied the coachman, "but I have heard only the first approved "at the temple of Fame; and as I see you have it "about you, enter without further ceremony." My attention was now diverted to a crowd, who were pushing forward a person that seemed more inclined to the stage-coach of riches; but by their means he was driven forward to the same machine, which he however seemed heartily to despise. Impelled, however, by their solicitations, he steps up, flourishing a voluminous history, and demanding admittance. "Sir, I "have formerly heard your name mentioned," says the coachman, " but never as a historian. Is there no

"other work upon which you may claim a place?" "None," replied the other, "except a romance; but "this is a work of too trifling a nature to claim future "attention." "You mistake," says the inquisitor, " a well-written romance is no such easy task as is generally imagined. I remember formerly to have

« carried Cervantes and Segrais, and, if you think fit 66 you may enter."

Upon our three literary travellers coming into the same coach, I listened attentively to hear what might be the conversation that passed upon this extraordinary occasion; when, instead of agreeable or entertaining dialogue, I found them grumbling at each other, and each seemed discontented with his companions.... Strange! thought I to myself, that they who are thus born to enlighten the world, should still preserve the narrow prejudices of childhood, and, by disagreeing, make even the highest merit ridiculous. Were the learned and the wise to unite against the dunces of society, instead of sometimes siding into opposite par ties with them, they might throw a lustre upon each other's reputation, and teach every rank of subordinate merit, if not to admire, at least not to avow dislike.

In the midst of these reflections, I perceived the coachman, unmindful of me, had now mounted the box. Several were approaching to be taken in, whose pretensions I was sensible were very just; I therefore desired him to stop, and take in more passengers; but he replied, as he had now mounted the box, it would be improper to come down; but that he should take them all, one after the other, when he should return. So he drove away, and for myself, as I could not get in, I mounted behind, in order to hear the conversation on the way.

To be continued.