248 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



awkward and a good four-horse coachman in the same 

 individual. 1 



I am quite of opinion with Chester Billy, that ' driving 

 four horses is a pretty hart' 2 That to perform it to 

 perfection is within the power of but few, every man 

 whose inclination leads him to the notice of these matters 

 is aware. Within these few years, however, a superior 

 class of man is to be found upon the coach box, and for 

 this advantage we are mainly indebted to two circum- 

 stances : first the driving clubs ; and the notice taken 

 of coachmen by gentlemen of rank and fortune ; and 

 secondly, to the boxes being placed on springs, which was 

 not the case when I first mounted them. It is now a 

 common practice for passengers to pay an extra shilling 

 for the box place, whereas, formerly, a man not wishing 

 to be initiated in the ' pretty art ' would give something 

 to be anywhere else. I think I now feel the thumps my 



1 It is amusing to think how lightly some persons appreciate the accom- 

 plishments of a coachman ; and this brings to my recollection two anecdotes 

 on this head, one of which relates to myself. I had not been many days 

 in my present residence before I was told a person wished to speak with me. 

 I found a man in what is called in some countries a smock, but in Hampshire 

 a round frock, and the following dialogue took place : — 



' Well, my man, what is your pleasure ? ' 



' Beg your pardon, sir, but I hears you wants a zarvant.' 



' What can you do ? ' 



' Most everything. I can plough, sow, drill, and look after horses and 

 cattle, and drive four-in-hand? 



The following anecdote was told me by a friend, and applies well here : — ■ 

 A gentleman's coachman, or what we call ' a wap-fohn,' brought his master's 

 carriage, four-in-hand, to the door of an inn, not in the most coachman-like 

 manner, when a knowing boy in the street addressed him thus : — ' I say, 

 coachee, who feeds the pigs when y 021 be from home?'' 



- Billy was bred in Shropshire, where they never lose an opportunity of 

 pronouncing the letter H. 



