COACHING 



descending the next hill." " I have no such authority," replies 

 the proprietor. "It is true, we are now drawn by my horses, 

 but I cannot interfere with the driving of them." " But is he 

 not your servant ? " *' He is, sir ; but I contract to work 

 the coach so many miles in so many hours, and he engages to 

 drive it, and each is subject to a fine if the time be not kept 

 on the road. On so fast a coach as this every advantage must 

 be taken ; and if we were to drag down such hills as these, we 

 should never reach Exeter to-day." 



' Our friend, however, will have no more of it. He quits 

 the coach at Bagshot, congratulating himself on the safety of 

 his limbs. Yet he takes one more peep at the change, which is 

 done with the same despatch as before ; three greys and a pie- 

 ball replacing three chestnuts and a bay — the harness beauti- 

 fully clean, and the ornaments bright as the sun. Not a word 

 is spoken by the passengers, who merely look their admiration ; 

 but the laconic address of the coachman is not lost on the by- 

 standers. " Put the bay mare near wheel this evening, and 

 the stallion up to the cheek,^^ said he to his horse-keeper as he 

 placed his right foot on the roller-bolt — i.e. the last step but 

 one to the box. " How is Paddy's leg ? " It 's all right, sir," 

 replied the horse-keeper. " Let 'em go, then," quoth the 

 artist, " and take care of yourselves." 



' The worthy old gentleman is now shown into a room, and 

 after warming his hands at the fire, rings the bell for the waiter. 

 A well-dressed person appears, whom he of course takes for 

 the landlord. " Pray, sir," says he, " have you any slow 

 coach down this road to-day ? " " Why, yes, sir," repUes 

 John ; " we shall have the Regulator down in an hour." 

 " Just right," said our friend ; " it will enable me to break my 

 fast, which I have not done to-day." " Oh, sir," observes 

 John, " these here fast drags be the ruin of us. 'Tis all hurry 

 scurry, and no gentleman has time to have nothing on the 

 road. What will you take, sir ? Mutton-chops, veal-cutlets, 

 beef -steaks, or a fowl (to kill) ? " 



* At the appointed time, the Regulator appears at the door. 



79 



