TO OXFORD. 181 



sense, and who expressed himself with so much 

 propriety, that I could not help testifying my sur- 

 prize. I found that he had lodgings both in 

 London and at the town we were going to, and 

 that he spent his evenings at both in reading. In the 

 course of conversation he informed me that he had 

 previously driven a coach on the Chatham road, 

 which he found a profitable situation, but that lie 

 had left it because he never had the advantage of 

 conversing with gentlemen. 



Our Oxford coachman appeared to be one of 

 this class, and he evidently profited by the conver- 

 sation of the learned persons he was in the habit 

 of driving, for so, I presume, all Oxonians may be 

 considered. A young gownsman was seated next 

 to me. He affected a little dash, had a knowing 

 neck-cloth, and a great coat curiously cut and 

 seamed, and decorated with a sort of button which 

 was new to me, though I presume they were the 

 fashion at the seat of learning. A pickle of a ter- 

 rier, who seemed used to the journey, took his 

 place between the legs of his master, bristling up at 

 every one of his own species whom he saw on the 

 road. The young gentleman was however civil and 

 obliging, and somewhat communicative. He talked 

 of wine parties, billiards, and hunting, and groaned 

 over his Oxford debts. Part of his conversa- 

 tion was addressed to the coachman, who, turn- 

 ing towards him, said, c Let me recommend you, 



