In spite, however, of this unusual speed, we never overtook Mrs. Merryweather and her cart till we arrived at the Basing-House, where we found her chirping over a cup of ale; as safe and sound as if linchpins had never been invented; in fact, she made as light of the article, when it was handed to her, as if it had been only a pin out of her gown! [Illustration: FANCY PORTRAIT--MRS. NELSON.] “Well, I must say one thing for Mrs. Nelson,” said our coachman, as he resumed his seat on the box, “and that’s this. There’s no pinning at the Bull. She sets her face against everything but the patent boxes. She may come to a runaway with a bolter--or drop the ribbons--or make a mistake in clearing a gate, by being a little lushy--but you’ll never see Mrs. Nelson lying flat on her side in the middle of the road, with her insides gone to smash, and her outsides well distributed, because she’s been let go out of the yard without one of her pins.” [Illustration: THE STAMP DUTY ON SCOTCH LINEN.] SONNET TO A SCOTCH GIRL, WASHING LINEN AFTER HER COUNTRY FASHION. WELL done and wetly, thou Fair Maid of Perth, Thou mak’st a washing picture well deserving The pen and pencilling of Washington Irving: Like dripping Naiad, pearly from her birth, Dashing about the water of the Firth, To cleanse the calico of Mrs. Skirving, And never from thy dance of duty swerving As there were nothing else than dirt on earth! Yet what is thy reward? Nay, do not start! I do not mean to give thee a new damper, But while thou fillest this industrious part Of washer, wearer, mangler, presser, stamper, Deserving better character--thou art What Bodkin would but call--“a common tramper.” MY APOLOGY. GENTLE READERS, For the present month, there must be what Dr. Johnson called a solution of continuity in my “Literary Reminiscences.” Confined to my chamber by what ought to be termed _room_atism--then attacked by my old livery complaint--and finally, by a minor, but troublesome malady, the Present has too much prevailed over the Past, to let me indulge in any retrospective reviews. In such cases, on the stage, when a Performer is unable to support his character, a substitute is usually found to read the part; but, unfortunately, in the present case there is no part written, and consequently it cannot be read. But apropos of theatricals--there is an anecdote on point.