STAGE-COACH. 77 



to become a master of this manly and 

 national art, but to show how the want 

 of companionship would deprive the soli- 

 tary votary of Jehu of half his pleasure. 

 Compare this with the well-appointed, 

 well-loaded stage-coach ; admire, as you 

 may, the splendid turn-out of a noble 

 Marquis,* who had issued with his four 

 iron-greys from the gates of Strathfieldsey 

 the seat of his illustrious relative, the 

 iron Duke for an hour's drive, and had 

 just pulled up at the "White Hart," at 

 Hook; and then see come rattling along, 

 at ten or twelve miles an hour, the 

 " Southampton Telegraph," with four "spicy 

 prads," not to be matched in colour, not 

 going at any measured pace, but all well 

 in hand, with their heads up, slashing 

 along under the skilful management of 

 the then celebrated John Peer, who sits 



* The late Duke of Beaufort, then Marquis of Wor- 

 cester. 



