"As to the matter of the compass, do you see, that's what I call an exception to the general rule," he answered, with a serious look.  "But as for the railways and steam-engines, and all those sort of things afloat or ashore, to my mind the world would be altogether much better without them.  It's necessary for sailors to go about, that's granted; but the rest of the world would be very much better staying at home and minding their own business.  What I preach I practise; and when I leaves home I says to my missus, says I, `Now mind, Molly, don't you be going gadding about till I comes back to look after you;' and she'd no more think of going outside the street-door, except when she goes to church or a-marketing, than she'd try to fly, and that would be no easy matter for her, seeing that she weighs thirteen stone at least."