3-071-234 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A Christmas Journey as we Do It Now - drawn by A. E. Emslie, 1881. 'Then and Now. See Illustrations, "A Christmas Journey as we used to do it" and "As we do it now." I will allow such journeys now Are made more easily and quickly; The railway train is quite a gain To trav'llers who are old or sickly. The cushioned seat with arms complete - The comfort of the hot foot-warmers - The padded backs and luggage-racks, Are proofs that trains are good reformers. Yet we enjoyed, quite unalloyed, The old stage-coach when we were younger; We stamped our feet at snow and sleet, And laughed to scorn the pangs of hunger. Then all our wealth was youth and health; We revelled in each wintry buffet, And on my word we much preferred The times when we were forced to rough it. But now, alas! we go first class, Afraid of chills and frosty weather; Ah! long ago it was not so, When you and I were boys together'. Mason Jackson. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.