194 ON THE GRAMPIAN SILLS. 



Chequers, where luncheon was prepared on a liberal 

 scale for the passengers, who were not slow to avail 

 themselves of the opportunity of enjoying the many 

 good things prepared for them, recalling the old 

 coaching-days, when the roadside inn was an institu- 

 tion of the country. On the expiration of the twenty 

 minutes, which is the time allowed for refreshment, 

 we were off again, " Multum in Parvo " this time 

 going ahead, giving me the opportunity of seeing the 

 excellent action and steady going which enable her to 

 get over the ground with so much ease. Keeping in 

 sight of us until we turned out of the main-road to 

 change horses at Peas Porridge, then going along at a 

 smart pace, we saw nothing more of her until we 

 reached Brighton, where she had arrived a quarter of 

 an hour before us. From Peas Porridge we went at a 

 rattling pace, Thorogood springing the team over 

 parts of the road, the coach travelling as steady as a 

 die, though the pace was severe. Then Cuckfield was 

 reached, where we changed horses for the fifth time ; 

 on this occasion the team being short-legged cobby 

 animals, one a remarkably useful Welsh mare, that 

 looked like going far and fast, without trouble to 

 herself. At length Friars Oak is reached, and we 

 change for the sixth and last time, and start off with a 

 capital team of good-looking well-bred grays. 



So far we had escaped any rain, but now we were 

 threatened with a heavy storm, which, however, passed 

 over the downs, and we reached our destination with- 

 out being drenched to the skin, as seemed at one time 

 very likely to be the case. Pulling up to the instant, 

 as before described,Jwe found the customary group of 

 loungers awaiting the arrival of the Brighton and 



