9o ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



ASCOT. 



Among the reminiscences of bygone years, I must find 

 room for a graphic and animated picture of Ascot on its 

 race-days about half a century ago, drawn by the skilful 

 hand of a writer who assumed the name of ' Patroclus,' 

 and contributed to the pages of the ' Sporting Magazine.' 

 It was in June 1827 that Patroclus drove down with a 

 friend to Ascot races and saw with keen eyes what he 

 has described. 



The ' lathy chap Stevy,' alluded to by ' Patroclus,' is the 

 celebrated young cantab, Mr. Stevenson, who did so much 

 when on the Brighton road (see my list of coaches and 

 coachmen down this road), to elevate the science and 

 heighten the tone of the thing, bringing Corinthian and 

 coachman more on a level. This by reason of his fine 

 taste, his scientific knowledge, and his accomplished style of 

 driving, he was well able to do. His establishment (for 

 he ran his own coach, the ' Coronet') was of the first order ; 

 no pains or expense were spared to collect the best of 

 quads and to render the thing complete and suitable to 

 all tastes. The ' Coronet ' started daily from London 

 and Brighton, and did its journey in six hours without 



