He always had bits of verse on the anvil, ready to be hammered and polished at any moment.

But even Pope could not be always writing, and the mere mention of these rambles suggests pleasant lounging through old-world country lanes of the quiet century.

We think of the road-side life seen by Parson Adams or Humphry Clinker, and of which Mr.Borrow caught the last glimpse when dwelling in the tents of the Romany.

In later days Pope had to put his "crazy carcase" into a carriage, and occasionally came in for less pleasant experiences.

Whilst driving home one night from Dawley, in Bolingbroke's carriage and six, he was upset in a stream.