ON COACHMEN. 269 



but ladies of fashion are occasionally to be seen inside 

 them. I was surprised a few years ago by meeting a 

 lady of family and fortune at Bath, who told me she had 

 come thither from Cheltenham in a coach. • I n a coach ! ■ 

 said I ; ' what coach ? ' 'By Captain Watson's coach,' 

 she replied ; ' I took places for myself and maid inside, 

 and one for my man servant out, and travelled as com- 

 fortably as I should have done in my own carriage, and 

 at half the expense. Everyone patronises Captain 

 Watson's coach.' The ladies, we know, are partial to 

 the red coat, and those who have a penchant for a black 

 one will find an excellent coachman in that toggery on 

 the Bath and London road by the name of Dennis, who, 

 my readers will remember, had the misfortune to have a 



amuse your readers : — About fifteen years ago, a certain noble earl, a very 

 intimate friend of mine, and very fond of the road, had been on a visit to 

 the Marquis of Bath, and was taking a lark one night on one of the Bath 

 coaches. When they arrived at Marlborough his lordship thought he could 

 not do less than perform the honours of the supper table, and a lady being 

 of the party, of course he paid her the first compliment. ' Will you allow 

 me to send you some beef?' said my noble friend. No answer ! ' Permit 

 me, madam, to help you to some beef,' repeated his lordship. No answer / 

 Once more, and a little louder, ' Shall I send you any beef?' 'I never 

 speak to OUTSIDE PASSENGERS ! ' said the lady, with a contemptuous toss 

 of her head. The noble earl rang the bell, and told the waiter to send his 

 master into the room, when the following edaircissemeni took place, to the 

 great dismay of the fastidious lady. 



My Lord : ' Oh, Mr. , order me a little supper at another table, as I 



find I am unworthy of a seat at this ! ' 



Landlord : ' God bless me, my Lord ! is your Lordship here ? I am sure 

 I did not know it. Here, waiter ! — I hope your Lordship left all the family 

 well at Longleat.' To make the story short, my noble friend ate his supper 

 comfortably, and after taking his ' allowance,' resumed the box, and drove as 

 far as his coachman went. To keep up the joke, he opened the coach door 

 to kick the passengers for the coachman, when the old lady, as if wishing 

 to atone for her folly, put five shillings into his hand ! 



