came from the amateur mechanician on the back seat, ' Oh, I forgot to turn on the petrol.' Off again, and no adventure until, on clearing the town, the high speed was put on. Presently off flew the belt, when it was seen that it had been patched many times, and that badly, and being fastened with riveted holders was ill able to stand being joined up again. Another start made, and we approached Uxbridge with joyful anticipations of tea. Alas, just outside the town our engine refused to move. Again the contrite voice of the amateur mechanician behind intimating that he had omitted to turn on two of the lubricating taps. Engine hot, and patience the only cure.
My second experience was in the same car. I started for Gloucester with the secretary for the County Council demonstration. In answer to my question the assurance was given that the firm which provided the car had solemnly vouched that all spare parts were there except those necessary to rebuild the whole carriage. We had not gone far when it came home to us that we were going on one cylinder. Examination revealed a plug destroyed and exhaust-valve broken. Any spare valves? Tool-boxes and lockers turned out on the road. Nothing like a valve to be seen. Meanwhile I had got out a new plug. On applying it to the hole it went down out of sight. It was like putting a lady's hand into Daniel Lambert's glove. Nothing for it but to let the car descend a hill by gravitation and steer it on to the grass at the gate of a field. Returning to Uxbridge we relieved our minds per telephone to Long Acre, and got the assurance that a man was being despatched by next train with valves and plugs. We went to each train that came in. No man, no plug, no valves. Crestfallen to bed. Next morning, on reaching the station to go on by train, found, to our disgust, that a parcel had come the night before, but without a man, and that we could have got all put right that night. Since then I have formed the confident opinion that if Mark Tapley had lived in the early days of autocars, he would have lost his character. Nevertheless, such adventures have their uses. They teach valuable lessons.
