NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 189 



anecdotes relating to it, which I think will amuse my readers, 

 coaching ones in particular, I shall, in all probability, resume my 

 notice of it at a future day. 



To enable me, however, to make my first start by it, I must 

 name the coachmen on this out-and-out drag, leaving the notice 

 of the guards out-and-outers also in their line to another time. 

 George Murray and James Lambert drive over the lower ground, 

 from Edinburgh to Perth ; and Arthur Farquhar and David 

 Roup, a thundering stout Highlander, over the upper, from 

 Perth to Aberdeen ; consequently each coachman drives about 

 half the ground, and has one coach a day. 



On Saturday, the 2oth of December, then, Mr. Dalyell ac- 

 companied me to Forfar in his phaeton, to meet this renowned 

 drag ; and the box and a front seat on the roof were secured for 

 us. The flash coachman, I was told, was Arthur ; but this was 

 the Highlander's day up, which I was glad of, having never seen 

 a Highlander at this work. Now what were my expectations ? 

 Why, 1 will candidly declare them. I expected to see a devilish 

 stout, raw-boned chap, v/ith a hand as big as two hands, safe of 

 course, or he would not be where I should find him, but pulling 

 at his horses ready to pull their heads off, with legs and arms all 

 at work at once. Moreover, I had been a little prejudiced 

 against this Highlander, by hearing him put in contrast with Ar- 

 thur, and the preference being given generally to Arthur on the 

 balance. Guess my surprise then, when, before I had seen him^ 

 at work ten minutes, I pronounced him a first-rate workman ; 

 and barring his incomprehensible lingo the real native Doric 

 fit to drive the Wonder out of London any day, if Mr. Wood* 

 would give him leave. His seat on his box is perfect ; his reins 

 well laid over his fingers, and as firm as if they were stitched 

 there ; his hands as quiet as if he were asleep, the right hand 

 never stirring at all till it was wanted, when it was used as it 

 should be ; and taken altogether, there was a combination of 

 strength with ease and smoothness, about his performance, that 

 pleased me as much as it surprised me. " Well done, Captain," 

 said I to myself, " what must your flash man be over this ground, 

 if David Roup the Highlander can do the trick like this." 



David of course had the office given him, and before the quar- 

 ter of an hour was up, he stuck his whip into the pipe of his box, 

 and turning towards me, said " Ye'll tak 'um noo, sir ; ye'll find 

 ; um nane of the warse." No sooner were the reins in my hand 

 than David was behind me on the roof, and Mr. Dalyell beside 

 me on the bench. " We gang awa' (away) over this ground," 



* Mr. Wood an out-an-outer in his line drives the Wonder out of 

 London. 



