6o THE COACHING ERA 



Tillimant Bobart, driver of the Oxford Balloon, was 

 known far and wide as the "Classical Coachman," from 

 the fa61: that he had been to college, and was a Bachelor 

 of Arts. Such was the diversity of his accomplishments, 

 that he "capped verses and the front of his hat with 

 equal dexterity, and read Horace over his brandy and 

 water of an evening." 



Most famous of all was Will Bov/ers who drove the 

 Alert, and from the darkness of his complexion was 

 known far and wide as "Black Will"; a fa6l of which he 

 was fully aware and resented not a little. At a trial 

 in which he was in some way concerned, he was cross- 

 examined to the following effeft. 



Counsel: I believe your name is Bowers? 



Bowers: It is. 



Coutisel: You drive the London coach? 



Bowers: I do. 



Counsel: Are you considered a good coachman? 



Bowers: Yes (and with true professional pride) ; I've 

 never had an upset. 



Counsel: (not in the least impressed, and anxious to 

 insinuate against the witness's character) 

 Now, sir, can you deny that you are often 

 spoken of as "Black Will"? 



Bowers: Yes, by blackguards; gentlemen call me Mr. 

 Bowers (whereat the counsel collapsed and 

 the Court was convulsed with laughter). 



One day just before term commenced "Black Will" 

 drew up at the White Horse cellars, Piccadilly, with his 

 coach filled inside and out with undergraduates. An 

 exceptionally pretty girl came up to ask if there was room 



