38 Four-in-Hand in Britain 



While wc make our first stop to water the horses at 

 the wayside inn, and some of the men as well, for a glass 

 of beer asserts its attractions, let me introduce you to 

 two worthies whose names will occupy important places 

 in our narrative, and dwell in our memories forever; 

 men to whom we are indebted in a large measure for 

 the success of the coaching experiment. 



Ladies and gentlemen, this is Perry, Perry our 

 coachman ; and what he doesn't know about horses and 

 how to handle them you needn't overtask yourselves 

 trying to learn. And this is Joe — Joey, my lad — foot- 

 man and coach manager. A good head and an elo- 

 quent tongue has Joe. Yes, and a kind heart. There 

 is nothing he can do or think of doing for any of us — 

 and he can do much — that he is not off and doing ere 

 we ask him. '' Skid, Joe ! " " Right, Perry ! " these talis- 

 manic words of our order we heard to-day for the 

 first time. It will be many a long day before they 

 cease to recall to the Charioteers some of the hap- 

 piest recollections of life. Even as I write I am in 

 English meadows far away and hear them tingling in 

 my ears. 



It was soon discovered that no mode of travel could 

 be compared with coaching. By all other modes the 

 views are obstructed by the hedges and walls ; upon 

 the top of the coach the eye wanders far and wide, 



" O'er deep waving fields and pastures green, 

 With gentle slopes and groves between." 



