Dow7i the Road, 23 



inspecting the different teams, and drawing com- 

 parisons with well-remembered coaches of days 

 long past, such as the Quicksilver Mail, that ran 

 to Devonport ; the Blenheim, to Oxford, etc. There 

 I observe Colonel Tyrwhitt, a well-known and ex- 

 perienced whip ; Dr. Hurman, looking thoroughly 

 " down the road " whilst he watches the start of the 

 different drags; Mr. Boulter, emerging from St. 

 James's Street, a well-blown horn giving note of 

 his approach. Then, as representing the profession, 

 there is Harry Ward, whose fifty years' experience 

 makes him a formidable judge of ''what's what" 

 in coaching ; and if any tyro in the art of driving 

 can pass with his approval, you may depend upon 

 it he is not far behind the mark. But I miss the 

 man with the many-bladed knives, who was always 

 present in olden times. Why you should have been 

 looked upon as a likely customer for such a weapon, 

 when you were going an ordinary journey, I know 

 not; but certain it is that you invariably had the op- 

 portunity, if you desired, to possess one. Neither did 

 I observe the boy with the oranges, who made a 

 point of offeiing his refreshing wares to the travellers 

 with a considerable amount of pertinacity. No ; the 

 class of passengers of the present day do not indulge 

 in such vulgar luxuries; that lady in the well-cut 

 ulster, tightly-fitting gloves, and neat boots — which 

 you cannot fail to observe as she mounts the ladder 

 to take her seat on the box — would be absolutely 

 horrified should such a suggestion be made. How- 

 ever, whilst I am chatting, the last coach has started 

 on its journey. 



