8 COACHING. 



1619 began to have a team of six horses, 

 which " was wondered at as a novelty, and 

 imputed to him as a mastering pride." Before 

 tliat time ladies chiefly rode on horseback — 

 either single, on their palfreys, or double, 

 behind some person, on a pillion. A consider- 

 able time elapsed before this luxurious way of 

 locomotion was enjoyed by more than a very 

 few rich and distinguished individuals, and a 

 very much longer time before coaches became 

 general. 



In the year 1672, at which period through- 

 out the kingdom there were only six stage- 

 coaches running, a pamphlet was written and 

 published by Mr. John Cresset, of the Char- 

 terhouse, urging their suppression ; and amongst 

 the grave reasons given against their continu- 

 ance v?as the following : — 



" These stage-coaches make gentlemen come 

 to London on every small occasion, which 

 otherwise they would not do but upon urgent 

 necessity ; nay, the convenience of the passage 

 makes their wives often come up, who, rather 

 than come such long journeys on horseback, 

 would stay at home. Then when they come 

 to town they must presently be in the mode, 

 get fine clothes, go to plays and treats, and, 



