Journal of a Tour to Waterloo and Paris (Volume 1); In Company with Sir Walter Scott in 1815 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. Passage-Boat from Hull to Barton--Lincoln--Peterborough--Cambridge--Bury St. Edmunds--Harwich. This circuit caused some delay, which, however, was not to be regretted, as it afforded us an opportunity of seeing a part of England we had never visited; and, in particular, the two beautiful Cathedrals of Lincoln and Peterborough. There were no steam-boats in those days, and we were detained some little time in the dingy town of Hull on account of the tide. In crossing the ferry to Barton, an incident occurred which afforded us some amusement. Among the passengers was a very alarming 8 PASSAGE-BOAT FROM HULL TO BARTON. looking woman with an unfortunate child in her arms, and accompanied by several others in as ragged a condition as herself, and her miserable helpmate, over whom she tyrannised with all the severity that a violent temper could inspire, aided, it would seem, by a tolerable allowance of gin. Something had occurred to offend the dame, which made her turn towards her poor Jerry with an air of peculiar contempt; and altogether she so strongly reminded me of Mrs. Mucklewrath, the amiable helpmate, --the Venus of the "Vulcan of Cairnvrecken, that I said to Sir Walter--in rather a low tone, it may be supposed, from our near vicinity to so formidable a personage--" His bairns," as Mrs. Mucklewrath says in infinite disdain. "His bairns; "O gin ye were dead, gudeman, "And a green turf on your head, gudeman."--Sir Walter could not help laughing at the quotation. He shook his stout staiF Shrewsbury, LINCOLN. y and finished the stanza, limping away to the end of the boat in great glee. "Then I wad ware my widowhood Upon a ranting Highlandman." It was night when we reached Lincoln; but as we passed near the Cathedral on our way through the town, w...