SIX JOHN FAGG. 129 



mares or geldings just as they may chance to come in 

 his way, and he has the science of putting them together 

 in a proper style. As a naval officer manning his vessel 

 for a voyage would not presume to leave the port till 

 every, even the least, article was provided ; so neither 

 would the worthy baronet think of mounting his box till 

 every buckle, every rein, was drawn together in its 

 proper place. Thus it is that he is capable of holding his 

 cattle as it were in his little finger. Thus it is that he 

 astonishes the gaping crowd by his skilful management 

 and easy workmanship. No one can pronounce that 

 person a "good whip " who has only been seen jarvey- 

 ing along a turnpike level road. It is in a crowd where 

 the point is to be fairly decided ; and certainly anyone 

 who has had the opportunity of seeing Sir John in this 

 predicament must be assured of the fact that he is no 

 mean adept in the art. The worthy baronet, when on 

 the box, is the entire cut of a coachman : he sits erect, 

 and appears conscious of the power he possesses over 

 his team. In the style of his tackle he follows the 

 system of stage-coach proprietors— chain pole pieces, 

 rattling bars with a low plain pole, is the order of the 

 day. His method, indeed, of coupling his horses is a 

 plain proof that he well knows what is " the thing." 

 There is a right way and a wrong in every situation of 

 life, and it appears to be his sole ambition to jarvey on 

 in the right road. This admirer of " the road " is often 

 to be seen on " the bench," and appears to make his 

 cattle work for what they consume. That this principle 



K 



