OLD STAGE-COACH. 23 



mouth may rival it in extent, and Morans- 

 court Hill on that to Hastings in rich- 

 ness and splendour, but neither of those 

 lengthened rides can come up to it in that di- 

 versified and real picturesque beauty, to which 

 my pen must fail to do justice. The vehicle I 

 mounted was not of the most elegant build, 

 and was certainly capable of those great 

 improvements that were so freely bestowed 

 on such carriages before they were quite sent 

 off the road ; neither was the pace anything 

 like what was afterwards reached thirteen 

 or fourteen hours accomplishing the seventy- 

 two miles, subsequently done in seven or 

 eight; still it was considered a great ac- 

 commodation and a good equipment in 

 those days. The coachman, by whose side 

 I sat, had particular charge concerning me, 

 and was pleased to point out the objects 

 most worthy of notice. 



Crossing the Common, where was exposed 

 to view on a gibbet the remains of a cele- 

 brated highwayman, called Jerry Abbershaw, 



