Yet even now it retains sufficient hold to be a marked feature of country life.

To the through traffic, therefore, had to be added the steady flow of customers to the shops.
On a market-day like this there is, of course, the incessant entry and exit of carts, waggons, traps, gigs, four-wheels, and a large number of private carriages.

The number of private carriages is, indeed, very remarkable, as also the succession of gentlemen on thoroughbred horses--a proof of the number of resident gentry in the neighbourhood, and of its general prosperity.

Cart-horses furbished up for sale, with straw-bound tails and glistening skins; 'baaing' flocks of sheep; squeaking pigs; bullocks with their heads held ominously low, some going, some returning, from the auction yard; shouting drovers; lads rushing hither and thither; dogs barking; everything and everybody crushing, jostling, pushing through the narrow street.

An old shepherd, who has done his master's business, comes along the pavement, trudging thoughtful and slow, with ashen staff.
One hand is in his pocket, the elbow of the arm projecting; he is feeling a fourpenny-piece, and deliberating at which 'tap' he shall spend it.