The Mer?y Past 



did not turn twelve stone in the scale. Tough as 

 wire, long-armed, and as firm on his box as a rock, he 

 seemed to bring four horses across a road with as 

 much ease as an ordinary man could twist a buggy, 

 and in case of " cord-physic " being required, he was 

 very punishing. On a wet or wintry day, he was an 

 excellent specimen, although always workmanlike 

 in dress, of the " damn-all-dandies " school. The 

 rather low crown, and rather broad-leafed hat — the 

 close-made " ben," a protection, not an encumbrance, 

 the ridge-and-furrow breeches, the grey stocking 

 drawn high over the knee, and the long black boot ; 

 not forgetting the natural requisites for a workmanlike 

 appearance — a good brown muzzle, quick eye, and 

 short black hair — stamped him a dragsman all over. 



^' Joe," once said a passenger, " how many miles do 

 you think you travel in a twelvemonth ? " " Why, 

 sir," was his answer, " last year I did accidentally keep 

 an account, and it was thirty-three thousand six 

 hundred and seventy-six ! " 



The University itself produced some capital whips, 

 though perhaps the best amateur who handled the 

 ribbons was an Oxford man. Sir St. Vincent Cotton, 

 who worked the Times the whole way from Cam- 

 bridge to London. Sir Vincent was an unlucky man, 

 being the victim of a series of accidents. One of his 

 horses put a foot in his mouth and demolished a 

 considerable portion of his dining-room furniture, 

 having been taken into the house for a freak ; he was 

 next floored from Mr. Wombweli's drag, and very 

 much hurt by falling upon some iron spikes, whilst 



144. 



