DRIVE. 151 



coachman who had brought the coach 

 up standing by his side, with a significant 

 smile. 



Without saying a word, except wishing 

 my entertainer good evening, I took hold 

 of the reins, mounted without any dif- 

 ficulty, and drove off, determined, as I 

 thought, to be doubly particular and 

 careful. As usual, I pulled up at St. 

 Albans for a minute or two. I did not 

 get off the box; indeed, I was afraid to 

 trust myself, for I began to feel more 

 and more the effects of the quantity, as 

 well as the quality, of the wine I had 

 taken. However, we proceeded very 

 steadily and very well to the top of 

 Ridge Hill ; from thence, the worst part 

 of the stage being over, the horses were 

 accustomed to go the last four miles at 

 a more rapid pace consequently I put 

 them on a little faster, and, passing 

 through the turnpike-gate at Mimms, 



