Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

1HE ATTEMPT
171
©« tfre llailtoaj.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF “ FRIEDRICH GERSTACKER.”
How different travelling is now-a-days, in the new world of steam engine and
electric telegraph, from what it was formerly. How quickly we fly, and how quickly
the time" flies; and how slowly some people still go, in their old-fashioned way, in
comparison with the railway.
We must confess railway travelling is not so agreeable as travelling by post;
but, in our practical days, pleasure in the mode of travelling has astonishingly
decreased. Selfishness now rules the world, and whoever can get a corner place in
the railway carriage leans comfortably back in it, stretches out his legs, and does not
trouble himself about his neighbours.
In August, last year, I took the express train from Leipzic to Coburg, by Eisenach,
and, for the first two stations, another gentleman and I were the only occupants of the
compartment. The stranger was wrapped up in rather too thick a cloak for the
weather, which was very warm, and he had his travelling cap well drawn over Ids ears.
There was very little of his face left free, and what little was left was almost entirely
enveloped in a thick cloud of cigar smoke. As I myself am in the highest degree
unwilling to speak on a journey, and never do begin a conversation, and my temporary
companion having the same inclination for quiet self-contemplation, we took the
opposite seats in the carriage, and smoked in emulation of each other.
At Naumburg, another passenger came in -who, as he sat down opposite to my
first companion, whom I shall call the stout gentleman, appeared to be a perfect
contrast to him. He was a thin, little man, perhaps about thirty years of age ; but, as
if in defiance of his opposite neighbour, he was dressed entirely in nankeen, and, still
more, he had his coat unbuttoned, and he acted in such hostility to the feelings of his
opposite neighbour that, before the stout gentleman could rise to prevent him, he had
let down the till then closed window. “ Pardon me, it makes a draught.” It was
the first word that the former had spoken, and, by the way, it was also the last that I
heard from him, but it was useless.
“ Nothing is better than fresh air,” said the little man in nankeen; “ there is
smoke enough here to stifle us.”
Augmt 1865.
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