48 THE COACHING ERA 



benefit of the uninitiated mean, whipping, galloping, 

 and flogging. For the better performance of the last 

 named, the coachmen kept in reserve a special weapon 

 known as the "apprentice," or "Tickle Toby," which, 

 judiciously applied, was calculated to inspire the most 

 jaded cattle to fresh endeavours. 



With the introduftion of mail-coaches, and the 

 consequent renovation of all things appertaining to 

 coaching, the old race of coachmen gradually died out, 

 and their places were taken by a totally different class of 

 men. 



This change was in a great way due to the growing 

 popularity of the outside of the coach and the realization 

 that the box-seat was a place of honour and distin6fion. 

 The old coachmen had for their companions soldiers, 

 sailors, and poor people who wished to travel cheaply, 

 but when coaches were well turned out, well horsed, 

 and driven at the rate of ten miles an hour, men of 

 birth and education rebelled against the cramped 

 quarters of the inside of the coach, and began to vie 

 with each other in their anxiety to secure the box-seat. 

 There they could obtain the full benefit of the coach- 

 man's spicy conversation, and if they showed themselves 

 appreciative, and were prepared to tip liberally, they 

 might attain the coveted distin6tion of handling the 

 ribbons. 



The coachmen adapted themselves to their company 

 and, during the latter and glorious half of the coaching 

 era, the swell dragsmen on the crack coaches were men 

 skilled in their art, smart in appearance, possessed of 



