HiLfiting in the Golden Days. 55 



the view was very extensive. About two miles before he 

 reached this hill John would begin to talk about the ex- 

 tensive views to be obtained there, and so would 

 work his passengers up to quite a state of curiosity 

 and excitement. Arriving at the foot of the ascent he 

 would pull up and recommend all those who were able 

 to walk to take the bridle path across the fields, which 

 met the road at the summit of the hill, assuring them 

 that the best view was to be obtained from the path, and 

 that they would arrive at the top before the coach. He 

 thus lightened his load, and was able to give his horses 

 a breathe whilst ascending. 



At a certain inn he always pulled up and recom- 

 mended the passengers to try the " Old October ale " 

 that had been matured in the wood for years. This said 

 liquor was rather too sharp for the uninitiated, but for 

 those who knew what old ale should be, it was a veritable 

 bonne louche. The old widow, who kept this hostelry, 

 would step out and pass the time of day, and perhaps 

 ask him to execute some little commission for her at his 

 destination. He had a wonderful memory for shopping, 

 and never had recourse to a notebook. He would never 

 forget one single item among a whole string of pur- 

 chases. "Two yards of blue ribbon for Miss Brown 

 (like pattern) ; three clothes baskets for Mrs. Gumball ; 

 a fork and grain shovel for Farmer Hodge;" and no 

 end more, all of which he carefully executed, and for 

 which he made no charge, as the people for whom he 

 did these favours were frequent passengers. But at 

 Christmas, it was the usual thing to make the coach- 

 man a present of a cheese, a loin of pork, or something 

 equally suitable, as a recognition of these little services. 

 If behind time on his journey, he was a diplomatist in 

 the management of his passengers. As an illustration 



