AN altogether different patron of the road from 

 the jolly tar was the amateur whip, who often 

 handled the ribbons with all the skill of a professional 

 coachman. 



In 1809 the mania for driving which seized the 

 world of fashion was a never-ending subject of jokes. 

 A dashing young Etonian, for instance, raised a 

 great laugh against a detachment of the " Barouche 

 Club " whips, by parading round Grosvenor and 

 Berkeley Squares, in the rear of three of those fashion- 

 able vehicles, in a low phaeton, drawn by a four-in- 

 hand of well-bitten jackasses. 



The procession of the Four-horse Club to Caven- 

 dish Square excited a good deal of hostile comment 

 as being ostentatious ; nevertheless, the drivers were 

 good coachmen. Luncheon for thirty was always 

 set out at the " Pack-horse," at Turnham Green, with 

 cider cup, and the same at the " Magpies," on Houns- 

 low Heath, eight miles further down the road. 

 Here also the horses were watered. The animals in 

 question went to Salt Hill and back the next day 

 without being taken out of their harness. The 

 number of teams generally amounted to about a 

 dozen — each dragsman having an honorary member 

 by his side. 



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