74 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



fog, frost, or any other agreeable antidote, not forgetting 

 a sharp easterly, you keep the box without a moment's 

 regret. His excellent qualities have gained their reward ; 

 he is well-to-do, lives regularly, with a happy family, 

 envying neither lord nor peasant. 



' I rode through a bad day from London to Grantham, 

 taking my leave of the coach there, but cannot do so 

 here without a just commendation — that it is by far the 

 best conducted on the north road. One hundred and 

 ten miles finished by half-past eight renders a man well 

 inclined to the enjoyment of a quickly managed dinner at 

 that exquisite inn, the " Saracen's Head," where you have 

 a cleaner cloth, brighter plate, higher polished glass, 

 brisker fire, with more prompt attention and civility, than 

 at most other places, indeed as readily and effectively as 

 if you had to pay icxs - . to two first-turn boys. 



' The ensuing morning at a quarter after eight, 

 listen ! listen ! three lengthened blows of a horn, not 

 bugle (I wish Nimrod would give me a better and more 

 pleasing term than blow for this mail coach characteristic), 

 announce the arrival of the Edinburgh mail, when out 

 step night-capped passengers half asleep ; however, fresh 

 water and good spirits dispel the gloomy faces, and down 

 go, for twenty minutes, hot rolls, boiled eggs and best 

 Bohea. 



' I slept here on purpose for the opportunity of having 

 a ride on this celebrated mail — bribed for a box seat, 

 though the morning was very severe. It was clear and 

 dry, however, and a day or two of like character rendered 

 the roads in the most perfect order. Not a puddle, not 



