6 COACHING. 



received the advantage of a college education, 

 and could quote Latin and Greek in a manner 

 that surprised some of their companions. They 

 could also tell a good story and sing a good 

 song ; so that their society was much sought 

 after, both on the box and in tlie snug bar- 

 parlour. 



T will not here stop to discuss the question 

 of rail and road, or to lament that the " Light 

 (coaches) of other days has faded," although 

 many a man's heart sinks to the axle when 

 he thinks of the past, and feels disposed to 

 sympathise with Jerry Drag, " him wot drove," 

 I quote his own words, " the old Highflyer, 

 Eed Rover, and Markiss of Huntley." 



" Them as 'ave seen coaches," says this 

 knight of the ribbons, " afore rails came into 

 fashion, 'ave seen something: worth rememberins;: 

 them was happy days for Old England, afore 

 reform and rails turned everything upside down, 

 and men rode as natur' intended they should, 

 on pikes with coaches and smart, active cattle, 

 and not by machinery, like bags of cotton 

 and hardware ; but coaches is done for ever, 

 and a heavy blow it is. They was the pride 

 of the country, there wasn't anything like 

 them, as I've heerd gemmen sav from forrin 



