Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/89



ENT my Veſt to the Tailor's to be let out in the Back, and my Wife and every Body ſay I grow too ſtout, which do put me in mighty Pain left I ſhould loſe my Shape; wherefore I have reſolved to take a long Walk daily, for Exerciſe, to bring down my Fat So began this Day, and ſet out to walk to Barn-Elms, by the way of Hammerſmith, on a brave melting afternoon. I did muſe at the Carriages and Omnibuſes that parted me, crowded both in ſide and on the Roof, and the people upon them whooping and blowing Horns as the Britſh Public always do when they ride to ſee any Sport. At Hammerſmith found what all this meant, everyone there haſtening to the River, this being the firſt Day of the Thames Regatta, and the Suſpenfion-Bridge thronged, and Feſtoons of Spectators on the Chains. Did go upon the Bridge, coſt me ½d. Toll, but would not have miſſed the Sight for 6d. or 1sfor the Thames with Boats ſcattered all over it, their Flags fluttering, and their Crews ſhouting and laughing full of Fun and Glee, made a lively Picture; and alſo I was juſt in the Nick of Time to ſee four Boats of as many Oars darting under the Bridge at full Speed, while the Beholders cheered and halloed with all their Might, and a Bell rung, and a Band of Muſique upon the Bridge pier did play "Love Not." Good Lack! how wrapped up the People did ſeem to be in the Race;