28 THE COACHING ERA 



themselves. He ignored the inn and his mutinous pas- 

 sengers, who strove frantically to attraft his attention, 

 and departed leaving them to continue their journey 

 as best they could. They did get back to London some- 

 how, and eventually brought an action against him at the 

 King's Bench when they were awarded ^20 damages. 



Undoubtedly, early coach travelling had many draw- 

 backs, not the least among them being the extreme 

 easiness with which the coach upset, an instance of which 

 is exemplified by an entry in John Wesley's diary 1775. 

 "Before nine, a gentleman in a single horse chaise struck 

 his wheel against one of ours. Instantly the weight at 

 the top overset the coach; otherwise ten times the shock 

 would not have moved it; but neither the coachman nor 

 the men on the top, nor any within, were hurt at all." 



The idea of utilizing the roof as a place of transit 

 undoubtedly originated in some one to whom travel was 

 imperative on an occasion when both the inside of the 

 coach and the Basket were fully occupied. What one 

 adventurous spirit could do others were ready to imitate, 

 and the roof of the coach became a recognized place for 

 soldiers, sailors and others hardened to danger, who 

 wished to ride cheaply. At first no provision was made 

 for their safety, but somewhat later proprietors provided 

 handles, or occasionally a rail round the roof of the 

 coach to give them some slight feeling of security. 



The relative positions of the passengers were gauged 

 to a nicety by the coachman's formula when hills were 

 steep or roads more than usually bad: "First Class 

 passengers (inside) keep your seats; Second Class passen- 



