S6 THE COACHING ERA 



"Well, that is strange," retorted Bayzand instantly, 

 "for we were about to alter the name of your street, 

 provided we could obtain your sanftion." 



"Oh, with pleasure; 'tis granted," said Mr. Speakman 

 patronizingly. 



"We thought Threadneedle Street would be appropri- 

 ate,"^ said the coachman suavely, and passed on leaving 

 the discomfited tailors. 



It was not easy to get the better of old John Bayzand, 

 for he was nimble of wit and apt at repartee; moreover, 

 he was possessed of such a fund of good stories, and had 

 so many jokes to crack, that he boasted that his pas- 

 sengers were never dull. 



The Southampton coach passed a quaint little church, 

 and travellers generally inquired its name. 



"Newtown, sir," Bayzand would reply, "and there's 

 a very curious thing about that church, for they 

 ring all the bells for a funeral, and only one for a 

 wedding." 



"Dear me," was the invariable reply, "how very extra- 

 ordinary, what can have given rise to such a custom?" | 



When they had speculated sufficiently the coachman 

 would remark: 



"Well, you see, sir, there is only one bell." 



Bayzand was very fond of his horses, and it said much 

 for his popularity that he was able to prevail on his pas- 

 sengers to get out and walk whenever they approached 

 a hill; and they were many on the Southampton road. 

 When they objected Bayzand cajoled them somehow, 

 ^ MSS. William Bayzand, Bodleian Library. 



