Our Modern Stage-coaches, 281 



noontide rays, or pluming themselves after a summer 

 shower in this fine old ancestral demesne. Nor 

 must the good cheer which awaits you on arrival 

 at the Sun at Hitchin be omitted to be noticed ; for, 

 after such a pleasant drive, nature will demand 

 support, and the pigeon pies, roast ducks and green 

 pease, roast beef of Old England, and gooseberry 

 tarts vividly recall the good old coaching days that 

 were believed to have been entirely things of the 

 past; but now by the exertions of the proprietors 

 of the modern stage-coach are revived with spirit, 

 affording much pleasure to the traveller, if not 

 realising extravagant profits for the owners. 



On the whole, therefore, the prospects of coaching 

 for the ensuing season may be considered in the 

 ascendant. Doubtless such good examples will be 

 followed by other enterprising spirits. In such case, 

 the man ambitious of emulating such whips as are 

 at present in the field should put money in his purse 

 and not be afraid to spend it, as it is no use doing 

 things in a half-hearted way ; and then he should go 

 to Hollands' for his coach; to George Cox, of Stam- 

 ford Street ; Blackman's, of Knightsbridge ; or the 

 Andover and Weyhill Company's establishment at 

 Cricklewood for his nags, and he will find every- 

 thing to his mind ; and, further, if he wants the aid 

 of a professional to show him how the thing should 

 be done, he should engage the veteran whip, Harry 

 Ward, who will speedily teach him how to handle 

 the ribbons in a style becoming a coachman of one 

 of our modern stage coaches. 



