366 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



give it in language more forcible than my own — in the 

 words of that accomplished orator the late Lord Erskine: 

 ' We are too apt,' said his Lordship, ' to consider 

 animals under the domination of man in no view but 

 that of property ; whereas the dominion granted to us 

 over the animal world is not confided to us absolutely. 

 It is a dominion in trust ; and we should never forget 

 that the animal over which we exercise our power has all 

 the organs which render it susceptible of pleasure and of 

 pain. It sees, it hears, it smells, it tastes, it feels with 

 acuteness. How mercifully then ought we to exercise 

 the dominion entrusted to our care!' Coachmasters as 

 well as coachmen should bear this in mind ; and indeed 

 it concerns us all — for 'how can we expect mercy, having 

 none ?' 



The Benevolent Club was established upwards of 

 twenty- five years since, and was presented on its forma- 

 tion with a handsome donation by the B. D. C. Club. 

 It is entirely confined to guards and coachmen, but none 

 are admitted after the age of thirty. Each member con- 

 tributes one guinea per quarter to the fund, from which, 

 in case of accident or illness preventing his being at 

 work, he receives two guineas per week for any period 

 not exceeding one year, and a guinea a week for life if 

 totally disabled. 



GUARDS. 



Guards on the mail coaches are of course necessary 

 appendages to the establishment ; and, that they may be 



