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THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

wreathed vine, clustering with fruit and leaves, and the furred skin of the panther, with the head and claws still attached, hanging in drapery around, are unrivalled exhibitions of modern attainment in the art of graving.

A Shield of Faith, in silver, richly traced with appropriate emblematic designs and inscriptions, and the Wellington Shield of gold, magnificently embellished in a similar manner, are also of great beauty and admirable execution. The exasperation of the people throughout the kingdom, against the Duke of Wellington, at the present time, in consequence of his opposition to the Reform Bill, is excessive; and the young man who, with great politeness, accompanied us over the establishment, pleasantly remarked of this shield, wrought so exquisitely in honour of the hero, when the idol of the nation, "were this to be exhibited from our windows for a few moments just now, gentlemen, I can assure you it would soon receive a finishing touch from the workmen of the

town."

Birmingham has been famed for its popular disturbances, and is now the scene of much political ferment. During the retirement of Earl Grey, a few weeks since, and while the Duke of Wellington was in nomination as premier, a hundred thousand men, it is said, were here assembled, under a proclamation that they, and fifty thousand others in the vicinity, were prepared to meet his Grace at the end of the bayonet, in their determination for reform. Numbers of men are still constantly seen in the streets, wearing blue and tri-coloured ribands; and flags of

AND THE REFORM BILL.

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the same signification are flying from many houses, on which are placards with the inscription in large letters, "No TAXES PAID HEre till the Reform BILL IS PASSED!" while every corner is covered with calls to political meetings.

Before we reached the hotel again, an express arrived, with the intelligence that the important bill had passed the House of Lords; and the news quickly flew into every part of the city. The streets are now thronged with crowds, wearing joyous and triumphant faces; the royal standard is floating gaily from the towers of all the churches; almost every window shows its tri-coloured banner; guns are beginning to be fired, and huzzas to fill the air; while unnumbered bells are sending forth, on every side, their peals of joy.

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Departure from Birmingham-Travelling by post-Its comforts and luxury-Disadvantages to a stranger in comparison with the coach-Arrival at Coventry-Antiquity of houses and narrowness of the streets-Beauty of its steeples-St. Michael's Church -Historic interest of St. Mary's-Banquetting Hall and Council Room.

DEAR VIRGINIA,

Craven Arms, Coventry,
June 6th, 1832.

It was with a kindly feeling towards the "Hen and Chickens," that we, yesterday evening, made preparation for a departure to this place. Despite the name, should you ever visit Birmingham, 1 would recommend to you the civilities of its landlady, and the comfort of the little parlour and neat bed-rooms which she will secure to you, unless you permit the chambermaid, at the offset, to consign you to the garret or the cellar.

Indications of rain led us to take a post-chaise for the drive, in preference to seats in the public conveyance; the glass windows in the front, and over the doors of the former, affording a view of the scenery, as well as a protection from the weather. It being thus ascertained-in addition to the fact, that on our arrival we were satisfied only with the best rooms of the house-that we were not strangers to the dignity "of posting," as this mode of travelling is called, our

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departure brought the landlord himself to hand us into the carriage, while the landlady, at the gaily stained door of her glass sided parlour, stood courtesying and wishing us all prosperity, as we passed through the hall, with the waiter, chambermaid, boots and hostler, grouped around, in expectancy of their accustomed fees. I say hostler, in addition to the servants, usually receiving a remembrance; for when a chaise is ordered, a sixpence is expected by him, for putting the horses to the carriage and letting down the steps, in addition to the regular pay per mile to the master for the chaise and horses, and to the post boy for himself.

Civility and prompt attention you are, in general, sure, if you have the exterior of a gentleman, everywhere to receive, at the hotels and public houses. But the degree of marked respect, accompanying an arrival and departure, appears to be regulated by fixed rules, connected with the style in which you travel. A passenger on the top of the coach will be helped very civilly down the ladder, placed for the purpose, by an under waiter, while boots will take charge of his luggage; to one in the inside, the head waiter will politely open the coach door, and present his arm in assistance; a chaise and pair will hurry forth the landlord to the same office; while the rattling of a carriage and four, after setting all the bells in-doors on a jingle, will bring half the household into the streets; and the traveller will thus have the gratification, if gratification it be, of being bowed and courtesied in, through a double line of attendants.

All charges and fees having been duly satisfied,

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the landlord, with a courteous bow, closed the door of the carriage upon us; and giving the customary signal of motion, "all's right!" to the postilion

"Smack went the whip, and round went the wheels,"

in true Gilpin style; and we were once more whirling rapidly on our way.

Posting, as here established, presents a perfection of comfort and pleasure in the movements of the traveller. Especially, when, as is customary with persons of wealth and rank, to its rapidity and the certainty of relays of fresh horses, as often as desired, there is added the luxury of a private travelling carriage, with its various appendages of convenience and elegance. The inventive powers of coach-makers and valets, assisted occasionally by the taste and experience of the master, have been so successful in devising arrangements in box, boot, and emperial in this kind of vehicle for the disposal of luggage, without a sacrifice of comfort within or of elegance without, that a gentleman may now, at the notice of a few minutes, have all that is requisite from his wardrobe, dressing-room, and library, in a journey to the extremity of the kingdom, placed in his carriage without the least interference with its accommodations or beauty; and, in a manner as accessible, at any moment to his use, as if still in their accustomed places in his rooms.

We are constantly meeting equipages of this kind, with one or more inmates reclining luxuriously amidst silken cushions, absorbed in a book—or, quite as frequently the case, lost in less sentimental obli

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