Thus ended the row of the _Town and Gown_, as far as our party was personally concerned; but many of the members of the different colleges were equally unfortunate in meeting the heavy censures and judgments of authority. I have just taken possession of my _hospitium_, and set down with a determination _to fagg_; do, therefore, keep your promise, and enliven the dull routine of college studies with some account of the world at Brighton. Bernard Blackmantle. On what dread perils doth the youth adventure, Who dares within the Fellows' Bog to enter. [Illustration: page273b] [Illustration: page274] THE STAGE COACH, OR THE TRIP TO BRIGHTON. _Improvements in Travelling--Contrast of ancient and modern Conveyances and Coachmen--Project for a new Land Steam Carriage--The Inn-yard at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross-- Mistakes of Pas-sengers--Variety of Characters--Advantages of the Box-seat--Obstructions on the Road--A Pull-up at the Elephant and Castle--Move on to Kensington Common--Hew Churches--Civic Villas at Brixton--Modern Taste in Architecture described-Arrival at Croydon; why not now the King's Road?--The Joliffe Hounds--A Hunting Leader-- Anecdotes of the Horse, by Coachee--The new Tunnel at Reigate--The Baron's Chamber--The Golden Ball--the Silver Ball--and the Golden Calf--Entrance into Brighton._ ~275~~ That every age is an improved edition of the former I am not (recollecting the splendid relics of antiquity) prepared to admit; but that the present is particularly distinguished for discoveries in science, and vast improvements in mechanical arts, every accurate observer must allow: the _prodigious_ inventions of late years cannot fail in due time of producing that perfectibility, the great consummation denominated the Millennium. Of all other improvements, perhaps the most conspicuous are in the powers of motion as connected with the mode and means of travelling. With what astonishment, were it possible to reanimate the clay-cold relics, would our ancestors survey the accelerated perfection to which coaching is brought in the present day! The journey from London to Brighton, for instance, was, half-a-century since, completed at great risk in twenty-four hours, over a rough road that threatened destruction at every turn; and required the most laborious exertion to reach the summit of precipices that are now, like a ruined spendthrift, cut through and through: the declivities too have disappeared, and from its level face, the whole country would appear to have undergone another revolutionary change, even to the horses, harness, and the driver of the vehicle. In such a country as this, where a disposition to activity and a rambling propensity to seek their fortunes forms one of the most distinguishing characteristics, it was to be expected that travelling would be brought to great perfection;