CHAPTER XVII.

AN ADVENTURE WITH BALL HUGHES, COMMONLY CALLED "THE GOLDEN BALL"--A SENSATION AT DARTFORD--A RELIC OF THE COMMUNE--RAILWAYS--PIONEERS OF THE RAIL--INTRODUCTION OF STEAM-CARRIAGES ON ROADS--SEDAN CHAIRS--PADDY'S PRACTICAL JOKE--FEUDS BETWEEN CHAIRMEN AND HACKNEY-COACHMEN.