OPPOSITION. 205 



solitary specimen should be an exception in 

 the general excellence, or should escape the 

 notice of those who are ever ready, from 

 envy or some other evil motive, to injure 

 their neighbours, without the smallest ra- 

 tional hope of benefitting themselves. 



Such there were on every line of road; 

 and ours being the only coach below 

 Cambridge which was worked in very 

 superior style, it had long excited the 

 admiration of the admirers of driving, who 

 desired occasionally to indulge in the prac- 

 tice of now and then driving a first-rate team. 

 Among these was one, a wealthy yeo- 

 man, in a village near Ely, who had been 

 an intimate friend and boon companion 

 of my brother whip, but who latterly 

 had not been on good terms with him. 

 He, with two or three others, became 

 the dupes of artful and designing men, 

 like Monops, and, in conjunction with 

 a fellow of a similar grade, was induced 

 to put on a coach against us. 



