WHAT TO BLOW, AND HOW TO BLOW IT. 17 



The season of 1887, however, has been a Jubilee one 

 for Coaching as well as for Her most Gracious Majesty ; 

 and from inquiries I have made at Hatchett's I find 

 that the number of passengers have been unusuall}' 

 heav}', all the Coaches being well loaded up. 



In the foregoing statements I have endeavoured to 

 trace the continuation of Coaching, when it languished 

 in London and its neighbourhood, at any rate, as a 

 fashionable amusement ; although, no doubt, many 

 private Coaches existed and were driven in various 

 country places and provincial towns ; and if I have 

 given more credit than is fairly due to our American 

 friends for the re-establishment of the art, it must be 

 attributed to the remembrances connected with the 

 trip already alluded to, and to the kindness and hospi- 

 talit}' { experienced when travelling in their countr}-. 



This little book having reached that pinnacle of 

 eminence known in the literary profession as a 

 " standard work," I hope that none of the gentlemen 

 I havS mentioned will object to see their names in 

 print, but should they do so, I herewith offer my 

 humble apologies. Some of them, alas ! are no more ; 

 others have changed their names b}' inheriting their 

 titles and estates ; but many of them are acquainted 

 with the Old Guard, and know his name very w^ell, 

 although I still prefer my nom de plume in this instance 

 to thv^ one given to me by " my godfathers and god- 

 mothers in my baptism, wherein," etc. 



Witl: these remarks I conclude a third edition of 

 my work, leaving it to m\" readers to decide by their 

 appreciation of my efforts whether I shall ever be 

 called upon to issue a fourth. In the meantime, I 

 would ask them to remember the old toast, 



" THE QUEEN AND THE ROAD ! " 



