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CHAPTER IX. 



r\NB of the most serious accidents was caused 

 ^ by the breaking down of the Hertford 

 coach, by which nearly all the passengers, 

 thirty- four in number, were severely hurt. 



An extraordinary occurrence connected with 

 the road occurred in April, 1820, when a 

 gentleman of noble connection, high fashion, 

 and large fortune had his carriage and horses 

 seized on their way from Brighton to London, 

 in consequence of the carriage containing smuo-- 

 gled goods. A replevin was afterwards effected, 

 on the payment of five hundred pounds. The 

 real state of the case was as follows : — 



The coachman had the folly to secrete two 

 half-ankers of Hollands gin within the vehicle ; 

 and his fellow-servant, the footman, angry 

 at not being let into the secret, laid an 



L 



