The Merry Past 



waiting for a tip at the coach door) at the " White 

 Horse," but would rather place himself in their way, 

 to which his bulk and the premises remarkably con- 

 spired. Added to this, his round, dark, and com- 

 placent countenance — the very sombre cast of his 

 toggery — the peculiarity of his castor, the serious, 

 thoughtful, and deliberate way in which he collected 

 his ribbons, his dignified ascent to the " bench " (all 

 in accordance with the arms and motto on the panels 

 of his drag), led to the supposition amongst his passen- 

 gers that he was a Quaker. 



The Telegraph, with Elliot over one half of the 

 ground and Walton over the other, was the fastest 

 coach of its day, and many a luckless Johnian " lost a 

 week " in the books of the two amiable deans of his 

 college by missing Hall, owing to taking up a position 

 opposite to the " Sun," for the sake of seeing the latter 

 workman tie up his nags preparatory to pointing his 

 turn into the yard — a feat always executed at the rate 

 of twelve miles an hour. 



Another celebrated Cambridge coachman was Jack 

 Remington, who had a very happy method of express- 

 ing himself. A Reverend divine, a great friend of 

 Remington's, and a staunch supporter of the road, 

 had to throw off for his first sermon at St. Mary's. 

 Jack accordingly, as one good turn deserves another, 

 booked a place to hear him. On being asked, after all 

 was over, how his friend had got through, he an- 

 swered : " Why, sir, he was a little groggy at starting, 

 but by and by he took the bar, and went off like a good 

 one," adding, *' that he only pulled up to hay and 



142 



